FIVE PUBS, THREE BREWERIES, A BOTTLE SHOP AND A WINDMILL

This is about  a town pub crawl, a visit to one of the smallest pubs in the UK, three micro breweries,  the  largest bottle shop in the UK and a unique windmill ; all in 2 days.

Mrs Ken and I were recently invited to stay with friends in south Norfolk near Thetford. Our first night was spent boozing during and after the second half of the England v Wales Euro 16 match then off to the local for a few more.

Next day after a team meeting it was decided to head for Bury St Edmunds, about 15 miles away,  for a look round, lunch and a few more drinks. After lunch in the Old Cannon Brewery Tap I was keen to seek out one of the UK's smallest pub. I say " one of " because the pub, The Nutshell,  claims it is but there are at least 2 others ( in Cleethorpes and Southport) that are also in contention.

We first visited the Nutshell way back in the 70's and at the time my wife thought it was disgusting that they had a dead cat hanging from ceiling. So while Mrs Ken and Mrs Mate wandered off to look round the shops, we squeezed into the pub to view the unfortunate creature . 

There is only 

Dead Cat

seating for about 10 people and you can reach the bar from the window benches without standing up. We got a seat and I enjoyed a pint of Abbott. 

Soon a bunch of Americans arrived and it quickly became standing room only. The usual tourist guff then came out ;  " gee , isn't this small" etc etc. The pub has loos somewhere but it looked to be a major logistical exercise to get to them .

By contrast opposite was the largest pub in the town, The Corn Exchange. A Wetherspoons , we popped in for one ( and to use the loos !). To get into the pub, there are about half a dozen steps up , then once inside there are 2 more flights of stairs. Nearly every Spoons Ive been in the loos are either up or down some stairs. They love stairs in Wetherspoons. 

In the main entrance, at the top of the steps from the street, was a sign saying that if you are disabled, use the side entrance around the corner. This cant be seen from the bottom of the steps so must be the must useless sign ever.   ( Although my favourite is still , from Benny Hill, "do not throw stones at this notice")

Anyhow, after another pint we headed off to Beerhouse a  brewpub for the Brewshed Brewery , before heading back "home".

Next day was our last and we would pass on the way back  , near Kings Lynn, the largest bottle shop in the UK. Called Beers of Europe. This place is huge !. 
There seemed to be every conceivable bottled beer EVER there. There was also a bottle of vodka for £529 which was taller than the wife.

 

Coming away with a basket full, we called in  to 8 Sail Brewery near Sleaford Lincolnshire ( as one does) , which is co located with the only 8 sailed windmill in Western Europe. They mill barley to use in the brewery. Marvellous. See picture below of our haul. Arrived home safely to give my liver a rest.