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1. 40 years of history… part 2

   25th May 2023 3:37 pm Leave a Comment

    

   Following on from part 1 of our 40 years, here is the 90’s onwards & 00’s…

   The beef crisis in 1992 meant that ostrich, alligator, kangaroo & occasionally locusts became prominent on the menu! Norfolk Life – November 1993 reviewed The Kings Head and delighted in the smoked platter… a platter constructed of smoked ostrich, alligator, green scallops, marlin, lip mussels & quails eggs – just a little bit different to todays delicacies! 

   The Norwich Southern Bypass (A47) was finally finished in 1992, and this couldn’t come soon enough. The construction almost caused the demise of The Kings Head when 2 of the main roads into the village closed for the duration of the works. This resulted in massively reduced footfall to the pub but luckily The Wimmer family toughed it out until the roads reopened.

   The popularity of the squash courts – the original selling point of this country pub to the Wimmer family – began to dwindle and by the late 90’s they were a shadow of their former glory. They still exist now but are not utilised as squash courts, one houses our office, the others are used for storage (a treasure trove of the Kings Head history) – watch this space though, with future plans in place to transform these.

   Throughout the early 2000’s the pub transitioned from serving quick, simple yet tasty dishes to increasing the number of finer dining options – as it became one of the original pioneers of gastropub dining. Back in 93 Norfolk Life stated “it was immediately apparent that this is a far more gastronomically ambitious establishment than one would expect” and the Kings Head has continued this flair.  Now offering delicious seasonal food sourced as locally as possible, in a friendly and welcoming setting.

   The smoking ban came into force on 1^st July 2007, bringing with it a huge breath of  fresh air and making the pub more family friendly. The Bowling Club that used the green opposite was disbanded and subsequently the houses that you’ll be more familiar with were built.

   In 2014 the incredibly talented kitchen team were awarded two AA rosettes for their culinary excellence, a real achievement and reward for their hard work. This quality has been consistently recognised by The AA every year since, with 9 AA rosette plates now adorning the fireplace.

   You can read the next part of our story here, and check out this article from 1993 and a menu from 2002 for an interesting and historic read… 

      

   We’d love to hear about the memories you have from the years gone by – these can be shared with us on our Facebook page or via email hello@kingsheadbawburgh.co.uk. 

2. 40 years of history… part 1.

   3rd May 2023 11:13 am Leave a Comment

   

   Back in 1983, the space shuttle Challenger was launched for the first time. The most popular TV show was Dallas and “Every breath you take” by The Police was THE song! The first Apple Mac(intosh) went on sale and Tetris was not even invented – with its release coming in 1984. 

   Obviously though, there was something more momentous that took place that year (at least there was for those residents of Bawburgh!)… The Wimmer family took over The Kings Head. 

   Initially starting as a sporting club, The Kings Head had four squash courts, a bowling green, petanque pitch, a sauna, sunbed and even a creche. The Deeds and Hunts bars welcomed scores of people from across Norfolk. Deeds was known as the posh bar as the deeds to the pub hung on the walls. Whilst Hunts bar had a fruit machine, arcade games crazy balloon & defender and a juke box.

   Kate’s kitchen was serving home cooked classic pub food in the bars and above the bar in the eaves of the old building was the snug area with a pool table for the punters to barter over a few pints of Carling.

   Pamela and Tony Wimmer were the smiling faces you would be greeted with from behind the bar and their son Anton could be seen from time to time when working in the cellar or competing on the squash court around his school studies. Once Anton had finished his schooling, following a year in Amsterdam he started his journey. His return signalled the handing over of the baton at the helm of The Kings Head in his early 20’s.

   Through the 80s many changes took place, most memorably the snug was replaced with the ‘Wattle & Daub’ boutique restaurant that was housed in the wattle & daub constructed building – it certainly had oodles of character.

   The big storm of the 80’s caused catastrophe at the pub when lightning struck the chimney! The chimney exploded, and all of the electrics fused. Much was irreparable including the inglenook fire, which gave rise to what is now one of the most loved features – the double sided fireplace.

   The Hunts bar was soon turned into a restaurant and was redecorated with the removal of the old bench seats and wrought iron tables, creating lots more dining space. Lee Vasey and his band were regulars on a Monday night and had many dancing ‘Ceroc’ including the staff.

   This is where the story began.

   These photos should jog your memory of times gone past and you can read the next part of our story here. 

   

   We’d love to hear about the memories you have from the years gone by – these can be shared with us on our Facebook page or via email hello@kingsheadbawburgh.co.uk. 

3. Exciting events for our 40th year!

   5th April 2023 2:19 pm Leave a Comment

   OUR FINAL 2023 EVENT…

   

   Email Us Now

    

   PAST EVENTS…

   Our big bank holiday beer festival – 26-28th August 2023!

   Over the bank holiday weekend we fired up our bbq, open fire hanging grill and our pizza oven. Plus we offered up incredibly fresh and delicious seafood too including our grande platters – something to tempt everyone. All of the produce was sourced locally from within East Anglia to celebrate the great suppliers we have right here on our doorstep. 

   This event was in support of our main charity Cancer Research UK as well as Norwich Stroke Survivor Club and saw us offer up 20 craft beers, a variety of cocktails and gins too plus a charity drink of Charmat Rosé donated by Peter Graham Wines & Flint Vineyard! 

   Alongside this we ran a sponsored dip in the river too and Anton Wimmer came out on top with the most sponsorship and was dunked in the river! Sarah Mann who has been with us 35 years was close behind and opted to be dunked too for these wonderful causes!

   Alongside this we had an incredible raffle with prizes from very generous suppliers and in total across the weekend we raised £2,420 for these two important charities! 

   Thank you for your support & here are a selection of images from the weekend…

       

   

   Seaside Spectacular – 16th July

   We hosted our second event of the year on Sunday 16th July and it was lovely to see so many of you there. It was a celebration of all things glorious from the seaside with incredible fresh and local seafood, doughnuts and much more! 

   Thank you to all that came. 

   Bank Holiday 8th May BBQ
   Our first event of the year was a great success with over 150 of you coming to see us throughout the day. We raised £274 for Cancer Research UK through our raffle, supported by some wonderful local companies…
   – Glen Lodge @ Bawburgh Golf Club
   – Lacons Brewery
   – Barshams Brewery
   – Coors
   – Peter Graham Wines

   Thank you for your support.

4. We’re on the shortlist – East of England Pub Of The Year!

   10th February 2023 10:57 am Leave a Comment

   

   We are pleased to announce that we are in the final 3 in the running to be crowned ‘Pub Of The Year’ in the East Of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023. 

   We will find out our fate at a glittering black tie event on Thursday 16th March, we are up against some incredible competition so we’ve got our fingers crossed.

   A massive thank you to our team for their continued hard work and dedication throughout 2022 and to our wonderful customers too, it’s a pleasure to serve you! 

5. Good Food Award Winners 2023!

   7th November 2022 1:58 pm Leave a Comment

   We are proud to announce that we have won a 2023 Good Food Award for Gastropubs! Founded on independence and integrity, the Good Food Awards recognise those who strive for culinary excellence within their field.

   With some 599,370 eating establishments within the UK, competition for the Good Food Awards was tough. With a record number of entrants and votes cast for the finalists by readers, customers and fans alike. Chosen for their food quality, service and value, the Good Food Awards are bestowed upon those with high customer ratings/votes.

   Owner Anton Wimmer is incredibly pleased to have won this award, “I am very proud of the team here at The Kings Head. They work incredibly hard to ensure customers have an enjoyable visit with us. Head chef Danny Pochin took over the helm at the beginning of 2022 and the kitchen team has gone from strength to strength, this award is a testament to that. We appreciate all the votes we received from our wonderful customers – so a big thank you!”.

   With 2023 marking 40 years in charge of The Kings Head for Anton Wimmer and family it is set to be a big year. There are some exciting plans in the pipeline for 2023, it is set to be an exciting year, so keep an eye on our social media for full details of celebrations to follow.

6. Exploring Norfolk Bucket List

   13th July 2022 3:07 pm Leave a Comment

   We’ve compiled a list of our favourite things to do in glorious Norfolk! First up are 3 different, but equally special trips…

   Burnham Overy Staithe

   Head over to Burnham Overy Staithe to enjoy a peaceful and secluded beach walk away from the hustle and bustle of the busier coastal areas. Park in Burnham Overy (if you use the beach car park be sure to check the high tide times!), and head out on the coastal path past the boats, salt marshes, wild animals and into the peaceful sand dunes.

   It is around a mile walk to the beach and a gentle stroll will take around 25 minutes with plenty to see along the way. Once you are on the beach, the golden sand spans as far as the eye can see and you can walk for miles should you wish.   

   Enjoy a bite to eat at The Hero in Burnham Overy, or pop along the coast to The Victoria at Holkham or The White Horse at Brancaster, both a short distance away.  

   The Broads National Park

   There is so much to do on and around The Broads and our tip top are:

   – Hire a boat and meander towards horning to see some incredible characterful houses including traditional thatched properties in Wroxham and horning whilst passing a few miniature broads, incredible selection of wildlife and you might even see the spectacular sail boats through horning.

   – Visit The Canoe Man and hire a canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard to see the waterways from a new angle. They have locations in Wroxham and Coltishall, with the later providing a lovely route from Coltishall down to Horstead Mill through the incredible water gardens. You can also stop at Colisthall common to relax in the sunshine or have a bite to eat or drink at the Rising Sun.

   Watch the sunset at Cromer

   Throughout the summer months Cromer is an incredible location to while away an evening. Enjoy some delicious fish and chips from either No.1 or Mary Jane’s and treat yourself to an ice cream for dessert. Walk along the promenade, down the pier and end up on the grass clifftop carpark to watch the sun dip down below the horizon. It’s pretty spectacular.

   

   You can see the other great locations we recommend around Norfolk here. 

7. Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Hotels

   2nd June 2021 10:04 am Leave a Comment

   Kings Head Bawburgh today announced it has been recognized as a 2021 Travelers’ Choice award winner for hotels. This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travelers around the globe, having earned great traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, The Kings Head stood out by continuously delighting travelers.

   Owner of The Kings Head Anton Wimmer is delighted to receive this accolade in recognition of his teams hard work. “After the hardest year in the 37 years that our family have been running The Kings Head, receiving this accolade has boosted the spirits of our team immensely. Coping in these ever changing and challenging times, creating a new normal, the team has risen to every challenge set. Whilst continuing to offer exceptionally clean, cosy and luxurious rooms, alongside one of the friendliest welcomes in Norfolk. Last summer was a bumper year for local vacations and we hope it has shown people that the UK has a lot to offer.”

   “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 Travelers’ Choice Awards,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “I know the past year has been extremely challenging for tourism businesses. What has impressed me is how businesses adapted to these challenges, implementing new cleanliness measures, adding social distancing guidelines, and utilizing technology to prioritize guest safety. The Travelers’ Choice Awards highlight the places that are consistently excellent – delivering quality experiences time and time again even while navigating changing customer expectations and new ways of working. Based on a full year of reviews from customers, this award speaks to the great service and experience you provided guests in the midst of a pandemic.”

   To see our luxurious B&B rooms and apartments at The Kings Head, visit here. 

   

8. Now Serving Breakfast Daily!

   18th May 2021 2:41 pm Leave a Comment

   

   We are excited to now take breakfast bookings from 7 – 10 Tuesday to Friday and 8 – 10 on Saturday & Sundays. We will remain closed on Mondays so no breakfast will be available. 

   Book online to secure your table, 14 hours notice required.

   Take a look here to see our new breakfast menu and tempt those tastebuds!

9. Anton – shortlisted for ‘Publican of the year 2020’!

   24th February 2020 2:06 pm Leave a Comment

   Owner of The Kings Head Bawburgh, Anton Wimmer, was shortlisted in the final six of The Pub Awards 20 ‘Publican of the year 2020’!
   At an awards ceremony held at London’s Olympia at the start of February Anton was recognised for his hard work and passion in driving the industry forward. Although Anton did not walk away as the winner he was immensely proud and felt privileged to have been shortlisted for such an accolade.

   Having been landlord for over 35 years – he is one of the longest standing landlords in Norfolk, East Anglia and even further afield! Anton is still actively involved in the business on a daily basis, ensuring the standards are continually met and upheld to keep The Kings Head moving in the current direction.

   Anton is also a founding member of The Norwich Inns Group. As one of the first buying groups in the country, Norwich Inns pubs are ‘the sign of excellence’ providing a network of over 50 pubs that put customer service and excellence at the top of their agenda. Anton arranges many events throughout the calendar year to enable publicans, breweries and suppliers to network and create exciting plans and ideas for the future. As always there is a charitable spin on all of these events to ensure that a local charity can benefit from the gatherings of so many great suppliers. Having fundraised over £100,000 for different charities through Norwich Inns, The Kings Head & Superhero Events we are proud of what Anton has achieved.

   Anton also supports many local businesses through his use of VIP (Very Important Producers) who are all from East Anglia. This is comprised of lots of breweries, vodka & gin producers, catering suppliers and more, their produce is seasonally rotated through the pub and restaurant to ensure that customers can taste the finest produce that local companies can provide and can follow and shape trends in the industry.

   From changing guest beers, spirits, to daily specials and 6 weekly menu changes, customers continue to return as they know that every visit will be slightly different. With new inventive ideas and old classics, The Kings Head is a regular haunt for many. That combined with a cosy and comfortable setting, and knowledgeable and long standing staff ensure that there is always a friendly and well known face to welcome people back time and time again.

   Having owned and worked in the pub from a young age, Anton ensures that every customer feels welcome and thanks them all for supporting his business.

   

10. Time to see what has changed…

    26th January 2020 6:38 pm Leave a Comment

    This January we closed our little pub for a touch of TLC and after 4 very busy and productive days we reopened. A lot went on behind the scenes with a full and fresh coat of paint front of house and in our stock rooms, cellar etc. Some new furniture also appeared in our bar with the addition of two lovely new sofas and curtains. With the most challenging piece of work being our bar, we sanded down (over the course of 8 hours!) the tops to reveal the natural wood underneath, added on some extra shelves and we are in love with the lighter brighter bar. 

    Pop in to see the changes soon, we hope you like it as much as we do!