The pub, which hasn’t had permanent tenants since 2021, sits on the edge of one of Norfolk’s largest broads and offers spectacular views of this iconic Norfolk landscape.
We purchased the building in 2023 as part of 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.
We have leased the Pleasure Boat Inn to Rick and Felicity Malt, who have announced that they will open to the public at 3pm on Friday 2 August.
Eliot Lyne, Norfolk Wildlife Trust CEO says: “We purchased most of the other land around the pub in 2017. The Pleasure Boat Inn was the ‘missing link’ to help realise our vision for wildlife and people in and around our Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve.
“Investing in a popular local pub is the first step in providing new ways to introduce people to the unique landscape and wildlife of Hickling, including walking routes and wildlife boat trips from the Staithe.
“In addition to taking care of this unique and vital landscape for wildlife, our long-term aim is to create even more 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.”
Rick and Felicity Malt already run two successful Norfolk pubs – The White Horse Inn at Neatishead and The Lion at Thurne.
Following the public launch, Rick and Felicity will open the new waterside hostelry from 12noon – 10.30pm every day for drinks. A food offer is soon to follow consisting of light bites in the daytime and an evening offer including freshly baked pizza, salads, pub classics and an a la carte menu of dishes using locally sourced meat and fish.
As the pub gets up and running, Rick and Felicity will review their opening hours in response to demand and these may be changed in future.
