Review: The Gin Trap

​This cosy Norfolk pub has a spectacular gin menu, and serves fantastic plates of food!

The Gin Trap is housed in a 17th century coach inn in rural Ringstead, a stone's throw from the North Norfolk coast. We arrived ravenous, after a blustery walk on Holkham Beach.

It being a sunny day, we chose to sit in the pub's walled garden, recently renovated with Scandi-style benches and chairs draped in sheepskins, metal planters full of greenery and an undercover area. It's a real sun trap in the summer. But in the colder months, seek refuge inside. The wood-panelled interior is warm and welcoming, with dark green walls, tan leather benches and enough bespoke touches to make it feel like a modern twist on tradition. There's also a toasty log fire!

As the name suggests, the Gin Trap boasts a menu of artisan gins. We tried a locally-produced St Giles Raspberry & Rhubarb gin, which was aromatic and slightly tart (exactly how we like it!)

Then it was time to get stuck into the food. First up was crispy squid with black garlic mayo, and the mains were sea bass cooked over charcoal and crispy lamb shoulder with mint and cucumber salad and pomegranate molasses. The sea bass was inspired; the skin crispy and flesh succulent, paired with caramelised fennel and salty samphire. Deceptively simple and utterly divine. 

We followed up with an indulgent chocolate mousse with passion fruit and honeycomb, and an amazing Basque cheesecake with rhubarb compote.

All in all, we were impressed with the experience. The menu was simple but perfectly cooked, and we liked the restrained use of charcoal cooking. We also thought the prices were very reasonable, and as gin aficionados the drinks menu was a definite draw! It's the ideal pub for a meal after a day out in Norfolk - we'll definitely be back!