The Hare Arms

The Hare Arms is a traditional country pub and restaurant in the hamlet of Stow Bardolph, West Norfolk, England, just off the A10 about a mile north of Downham Market. It combines a cosy interior with open log fires and wood-burning stoves, extensive gardens, and a reputation for fresh, locally sourced seasonal dishes and cask ales. The pub is known for its resident peacocks in the gardens and for its long history as a village inn. The building dates from the Napoleonic Wars era, and it was converted into an inn when Captain Thomas Hare offered it to three soldiers, two of whom had French surnames. The Hare family had long been associated with the area, with Sir Nicholas Hare buying the freedom of the Hundred of Clackclose in 1553. Over the centuries the inn has been at the centre of communal celebrations including wartime victories, coronations and jubilees. A notable landlady, Emma Sayles, ran the pub from 1878 to 1934 and organised large jubilee feasts. David and Trish McManus were the faces behind the bar for 40 years from 1976 until their retirement in 2016. In July 2016 Pat and Debs Palmer took over the lease of The Hare. They had met while working behind its bar in 1987 and had previously run their own successful restaurant, Palmers, in Downham Market for over 15 years. Under their ownership the pub has undergone refurbishment and redecoration, and it continues to offer a diverse menu of locally sourced seasonal dishes, a selection of cask ales, and a welcoming atmosphere. The pub welcomes children in designated dining areas and well-behaved dogs on leads in the gardens, while the resident cats and peacocks add to its character.

The Hare Arms is a historic country inn in Stow Bardolph, West Norfolk. The Hare family had lived in Stow Hall for generations, and Sir Nicholas Hare, Master of the Rolls and Keeper of the Great Seal, bought the freedom of the Hundred of Clackclose in 1553. The original building of the inn was erected during the Napoleonic Wars, at a time when Nelson travelled through the village on route to his ship in London. The transformation of the house into an inn took place when Captain Thomas Hare offered it to three soldiers, two of whom had French surnames. Since then the inn has been at the centre of communal celebrations such as wartime victories, coronations and jubilees. Emma Sayles was a redoubtable landlady from 1878 to 1934. She organised and catered for Jubilee jollifications at which 1,380 revellers were seated in two vast marquees and enjoyed 'Substantial dinners of beef, mutton, plum pudding, etc' all washed down with tea brewed in the boiler of a steam roller. Her husband Harry Sayles, an overseer for the local rating authority who travelled the district by pony and trap, left the pub in his wife's capable hands but left his mark by scratching his name on a bar window which can still be seen today. Rural sports and entertainments were centred on the pub, and village cricket had an enthusiastic following as it still has today. In the 1970s The Hare was a bustling 'coach stop' directly situated on the main road to King's Lynn and North Norfolk. David and Trish McManus were the friendly faces behind the bar for 40 years from 1976, finally taking a well-earned retirement in 2016. In July 2016 Pat and Debs Palmer took over the lease of The Hare. They had a long association with the pub, having met there while working behind its bar in 1987. After running their own successful restaurant, Palmers, in Downham Market for over 15 years, they returned to continue The Hare's long tradition of good food, speedy, courteous service and a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Following a recent refurbishment and redecoration, the inn is even warmer, cosier and more welcoming. The pub remains a focal point for the local community and visitors, offering a diverse and tasty fresh menu of locally sourced seasonal dishes and a selection of cask ales.

• 2018

  Further work planned to the exterior of the pub.

• 2016

  David and Trish McManus retire; Pat and Debs Palmer take over the lease in July.

• 1976

  David and Trish McManus take over the pub, running it for 40 years.

• 1878

  Emma Sayles becomes landlady, a role she holds until 1934.

• 1553

  Sir Nicholas Hare buys the freedom of the Hundred of Clackclose, beginning the Hare family's long association with the area.

• Original building erected during the Napoleonic Wars; later converted into an inn by Captain Thomas Hare.

A traditional country pub and restaurant offering fresh, locally sourced seasonal food and cask ales in a cosy, historic setting.

• Seasonal local dishes

  Fresh menu of locally sourced seasonal dishes.

• Cask ales

  A selection of cask ales served at the pub.

1. 1The Hare Arms | Country Pub & Restaurant, Stow Bardolph, Norfolktheharearms.co.uk
2. 2History - The Hare Armstheharearms.co.uk
3. 3About - The Hare Armstheharearms.co.uk
4. 4The Hare Arms - Wikidatawikidata.org