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 the pub tenants work?
Norfolk Wildlife Trust own the property and are leasing it to Rick and Felicity Malt, who will run the pub.
We will work in partnership with Rick and Felicity, 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?
The Pleasure Boat Inn opened in 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?
For up-to-date information, visit www.thepleasureboathickling.com
Will the pub serve food?
For up-to-date information, visit www.thepleasureboathickling.com
Is the pub dog-friendly?
Yes, The Pleasure Boat Inn does welcome dogs.
We do ask for dogs to be kept on leashes at all times during your visit.
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. Rick and Felicity Malt 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?
We are hoping to trial boat trips from the staithe outside the pub by the end of October 2024. Up-to-date information can be found on our Boat Trips web page. Our boat trip offer will be developed further from spring 2025.
How will the pub align with NWT's core values?
Rick and Felicity Malt 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.
Can I moor outside the pub?
There are several free moorings available right outside the pub, managed by Rick and Felicity Malt. These are available to pub customers for up to 48 hours. There are also other free 24-hour moorings nearby – you can find out more about these on the Broads Authority website.
NWT manages a number of annual moorings on NWT Hickling staithe. If you would be interested in finding out more about these, please email info@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
Can I launch my kayak, canoe or paddle board from NWT Hickling staithe?
We politely ask that you do not launch kayaks, canoes and paddleboards from NWT Hickling Staithe, and would recommend that you launch from Hickling Parish Staithe instead.
Anyone launching into the water at NWT Hickling staithe does so at their own risk.
Oscar Lawrence at Hickling (credit: Oscar Lawrence)