The Pleasureboat Inn aerial image (credit: Shaun Whitmore)
The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling
The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling
In 2023, we purchased a plot of land at Hickling Staithe which included the Pleasure Boat Inn pub, adjacent buildings and a large car park, together with associated moorings.
In addition to taking care of this unique and vital landscape for wildlife, we aim to create facilities that will provide new opportunities for everyone to experience Hickling's fantastic wildlife in an area where nature, the community and the local economy are all thriving.
Investing in a popular local pub is the first step in allowing us to create new ways to introduce people to the nature, landscape and wildlife of Hickling, including walking routes and a growing programme of boat trips from Staithe.
We will work in partnership with pub tenants, Rick and Felicity Malt, to ensure that the pub works in harmony with the interests of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, including aligning with our core values and playing a valuable role in welcoming people to Hickling Broad and Marshes to enjoy and learn about the area and its special wildlife.
Hickling Broad and Marshes (credit: Richard Osbourne)
Our vision for Hickling Broad
Find out more about our new pub, the surrounding land, and how the purchase helps us achieve our long term vision for Hickling Broad and Marshes from NWT's CEO, Eliot Lyne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Norfolk Wildlife Trust bought a pub?
The pub is located on Hickling Staithe. We purchased most of the other land around the pub in 2017 and the pub is the ‘missing link’ to help realise our vision for wildlife and people in and around Hickling Broad and Marshes.
The purchase of the pub and its associated land adds to our existing land and property holdings close to our popular nature reserve.
This move sees us developing our vision for the area's wildlife and people, working alongside the local community.
Investing in a popular local pub will allow us to create new ways to introduce people to the nature, landscape and wildlife of Hickling, and a new source of income to support our work.
You can read more about the reasons behind this decision from our CEO, Eliot Lyne, here.
Will it be run as a pub?
Yes, it will be run as a pub by Rick and Felicity Malt, who already run two successful Norfolk pubs – The White Horse Inn at Neatishead and The Lion at Thurne.
How will the partnership between NWT and Malt Inns work?
Norfolk Wildlife Trust own the property, and are leasing it to Malt Inns, who will run the pub.
We will work in partnership with Malt Inns who are committed to ensuring that the pub works in harmony with the interests of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, including aligning with our core values and playing a valuable role in welcoming people to Hickling Broad and Marshes to enjoy and learn about the area and its special wildlife.
Will you have a visitor centre at the pub, and does this mean you will close the existing visitor centre at Hickling?
In time, we hope to develop a new visitor hub close to The Pleasure Boat Inn, which will complement the existing visitor centre at our nearby Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve.
When will the Pleasure Boat Inn open?
We anticipate that Malt Inns will open The Pleasure Boat Inn during late July/early August 2024 with a simple food and drink offer. This will be built upon throughout 2024/25 as the pub establishes itself, to include a wider food and drink offer as well as a programme of events.
What will the pub's opening hours be?
Initially, the pub will be open 12noon – 10.30pm every day of the week. These opening hours will be reviewed in the future based on seasonal demand.
Will the pub serve food?
Yes, the pub will serve food. Initially, the offer will consist of light bites in the daytime. An evening offer will be developed shortly, which could include a pizza oven offering, salads, pub classics and an a la carte menu of dishes using locally sourced meat and fish.
Is the pub dog-friendly?
Yes, The Pleasure Boat Inn will welcome dogs with doggie snacks, a dog menu and water bowls.
However, we will continue to kindly ask that you don't bring dogs to Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats found at the site.
Is the pub family friendly?
The pub is family friendly throughout and, in addition to baby changing facilities, will offer a healthy children's menu. Malt Inns aim to offer family nature activities and garden games in the future.
How accessible is the pub?
We have invested to ensure that the pub is now accessible to those with mobility impairments. There are dedicated and paved accessible parking spaces, level access into the pub as well as new accessible toilets.
Will parking outside the pub cost money?
No, parking in the pub car park will be free.
Will there be NWT-run boat trips from the Staithe?
Yes, we will run boat trips from Hickling Staithe, right outside the pub.
Initially our boat trips will run at weekends, and we hope to increase the number of trips we offer from spring 2025.
For more information, visit our boat trips web page.
How will the pub align with NWT's core values?
Malt Inns aim to ensure that the pub works in harmony with the interests of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. As such they will operate with a strong focus on the environment and sustainability, such as reducing the use of plastic, using locally sourced ingredients and exploring ways of harnessing green energy where possible.
They will employ best practice standards in the recruitment and management of their staff and are committed to working in partnership with local communities to ensure they are a great neighbour, and provide a welcoming and accessible offer for all.