The Coach and Horses - Norwich

It’s a common misconception that Norwich is flat. The Fens – a seemingly endless stretch of perfectly flat fields – finish some 30 miles west of the city and a train journey from London, via the Olympic Park, Colchester, and Ipswich offers not a glimpse of the famous Anglian dykes and canals. Instead, Norwich City Centre features a number of hills, atop one sits The Coach and Horses – and the Chalk Hill Brewery contained within.

Due east of the station and flanked by offices, The Coach and Horses boasts uninspiring views of the Carrow Road stadium and a retail park from its beer garden. Inside, the pub is steamy on a match day with large-screen TVs and beer served in pitchers. Although Norwich is a strong market for craft beer, the locals seem to opt for the mainstream – Fosters, Carling, etc. It’s a shame. A pint of Brewery Tap (3.6%) dampened the memory of the two overpriced cans of Heinken sipped throughout the 2-hour train journey. Well worth the hill climb.