The Chequers Inn at Thornham in King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Had lunch here on a whim and I’m so glad we did! The service was great from the get go and we were offered a “pod” to sit in as it was windy. I was recommended a local gin that was amazing (and I have since purchased). The food itself was absolutely beautiful, we shared a simple starter of focaccia with oil that was divine. Followed by two orders of fresh pasta and a gorgeous fillet of hake. Next time we’ll be sure to hold back on the bread so we can try some desserts which looked great! Thoroughly enjoyed and will be returning

Due to bad news in the family we had to make a last minute cancellation and Sarah was extremely understanding. Felt awful letting the inn down last minute - thank you for your help. We will be back

Great Friday lunch for my wife and I. We went for a walk out to Thornham beach and then to Chequers for lunch. Delicious food and helpful staff. Thank you guys. Loved the pig cheeks and the smoked sea salt and caramel ice cream

As a number of other reviews have mentioned, a shortage of staff remains an issue for most hospitality venues post-COVID - I've made allowances for this in other reviews, and The Chequers is no different. However, despite having a full restaurant when we visited at peak time (Fri evening, 9-Jul) and only a couple of staff serving, we couldn't have expected any better, so a big thanks to our waiter for being so attentive under the circumstances. He apologised for things taking 'a little longer than usual', but we were fully prepared for things to be on the slow side, so it was all perfectly fine. We were a table of four (two couples) and each shared nibbles for starters (olives & foccacia - both excellent), then I had the crab parpadelle for main course (very very good) and doughnuts with chocolate sauce for dessert (beautifully presented, definitely not for sharing!). Having had less-than-ideal experiences with food and seating elsewhere in Thornham during our stay, it felt extremely indulgent just to be allowed to sit inside in the evening and be served good food in a nice environment....so thank you to The Chequers to prove that it is possible to have a good time post-COVID without making apologies or allowances left, right and centre!

We would have liked to have sat in the bar area, we were in the restaurant with quite a few children, we don’t have children. BUT the food was outstanding. I had the fish risotto with lobster, absolutely incredible! Service was fab too!

Great dinner with friendly staff. Although there weren't many staff, they were really attentive and friendly. Food was really good quality and nice atmosphere..

Stopped for a quick drink this evening outside the front of the pub The lady rushed out as soon as we sat down asking if we had booked a table to which we answered No we only wasn’t a drink please She said she was sorry but this was not possible When we asked why she said she didn’t have staff to accommodate us But we only want a drink surely you have someone who could bring a drink out or maybe we could carry them out ourselves No she reinforced you cannot sit here Wow Clearly a pub with too much money but not enough to pay for staff Give it a wide berth would be my recommendation

We went to the Chequers on a Saturday night two weeks ago and were more than disappointed – we came away feeling pretty angry at such poor and rude service. We rarely complain, but this experience was really bad. When we arrived there was no table for us despite calling beforehand to confirm a reservation made two months ago – the waiter, who was incredibly young and inexperienced, simply laughed and said ‘I hope so’ when we asked if they had a table for us. We sat outside believing he was then sorting out a table for us, but when we asked to come in he looked confused - there still wasn't one, so we were taken to an (unlaid) table near the bar. We ordered drinks – two people in the party are pregnant so we asked what non-alcoholic drinks they had on – the waiter looked confused then said coke but it was flat, or lemonade, and that was all (which seemed odd for a very nice restaurant, but we went with it!). Our drinks arrived after 50 minutes and several reminders (which were greeted with hostility by the only waitress able to serve drinks). They also turned up AFTER the food and were all completely wrong – after three attempts to get the right drinks, we gave up, settling for ones we didn't want. The food itself was lukewarm and we had to request cutlery to eat it with. We then ordered red wine, which they also forgot about. And then asked for some water which was slammed down on the table. We could see the staff were extremely stretched – there were just two waiting staff for the whole restaurant – but every time we tried to correct a fault or remind them about an undelivered order, the waitress seemed either extremely annoyed or about to cry. We overheard pretty much every other table also complaining, both directly to the waiters and to other guests. There should have been at least double the two waiting staff they had on that night, and the ones on duty were too junior, had clearly had no training, and were often rude. We left as quickly as we could, annoyed that they couldn't even grasp why we were disappointed, and also annoyed that the owners felt they could run a restaurant in that way and still charge pretty high prices for food. It was a really terrible experience and we were glad to get back to our hotel! Two days after we visited the Chequers, I contacted them via email as felt it was important they heard about our experience so they could fix things for future guests – typically, they didn’t even bother to reply.

What a disappointment. This was our favourite dining spot when we last visited Thornham pre-Covid. Experience this time was very different and rather Fawlty-esque.Starters of shared pigs cheek and chorizo were excellent. My wife's Arthur Howell rib eye steak was perfectly cooked but tough - OK, occasionally the meat itself can be below par. My hake main course was very tasty but not what I had ordered. The menus we were given (Sunday evening) were the lunchtime menus! We had noticed this and checked with the waitress before ordering that this was the correct menu and she assured us they were the same. The hake was meant to be with a completely different accompaniment (lobster risotto). When we actually saw the proper evening menu there were a number of dishes not on the menu we had seen and we would probably have made completely different choices.To be fair the more senior waitress apologised and gave us a discount on the bill. It's so frustrating though that this place has the potential for 4 or 5 stars, has an interesting menu, but is let down by some of the basics.

We had lunch here today, we had the pigs cheeks as a sharing platter, it was delicious in fact I could have had one to myself. Then I had the crab pasta with homemade pasta and the sauce was to die for, my husband had sea bass wit a lobser risotto, he also said how delicious it was. Unfortunately we couldn't manage a pudding but again they all sounded lovely. I will certainly be back

We had the same unfriendly welcome as the previous review, went for a drink at 4pm (Saturday) with my Wife and disabled Son in a wheelchair.We were asked if we had booked a table, no but only one other table being used, same front and back of pubIt is obvious that the Chequers only want you there if you are eating, drinkers go away !I stated to the young lad that approached us that we wanted a drink and would vacate the table if and when needed. the reply was that there was a staff shortage, what a feeble excuse !We spend most of the summer in Thornham and have used this pub regularly both for eating and drinking, We had the same experience last week at The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham, owned by the same chainSeems like the only way to guarantee getting a drink in Thornham is to go to the Orange Tree, they have designated tables for drinkers.Staff shortages may be a problem, this needs addressing urgently, we were in no hurry and prepared to wait for the person on duty to serve us.I would have thought that pubs having been forced to close for so long would not want to turn cash paying cusomers away.Looks like I may have to join the band of people that buy beer & wine at supermarkets and drink at home or I could go to The Orange TreeI hope that we do not have another lockdown otherwise The Chequers & The Lifeboat will look back and wish they had made money whilst they were able to

I live locally and at 615pm my girlfriend and I stopped for a drink.I went inside and they said they were fully booked.Despite me sayin we would only be half an hour they said no.At this stage there were only 2 couple sitting at tables in the rear garden and in the front there were no people sitting at any of the tables!

We had a lovely lunch (booking is essential). The food was delicious, the sole with fresh samphire was especially good. The service is friendly and professional, it's a little slow but we were relaxed in the sunshine and had a lovely time.

Disappointing. There is an on going issue here with staffing and needs sorting out. Not sure why the manager and owners seem to ignore the issue. We were actually made to feel guilty (after spending just under £300 for some bread , a single course and some wine) for the staffing issues. We were led to believe it was just an issue on the night , however on reading the reviews we realise this has been going on for sometime. The owners comment and apologise but nothing changes. They need to get more staff or limit the number of diners or reduce prices. Booked and even confirmed booking but on arrival we weren’t expected. Not a good start. Service was very slow. We waited 55 mins for the drinks to arrive. Food was mixed. Cod and sole very tasty but steak was very disappointing. Looking around the 3 couples near us also waited excessive time for drinks and food. We were told that it was nothing to do with the people on site but that the agency was to blame for not sending enough staff.

Had a nice Dinner outside here, had the Breads, Chorizo and Salmon Pastrami followed by Angus Patty, Crab Papardelle and Wild Boar Papardelle.Food was ok but I felt a bit dear for what we got, good out and indoor spaceNot a lot of Ales on tap which I was surprised and disappointed with.

This place desperately needs staff .There were 2 people working ,trying to cover the bar as well as tables indoors and outdoors .Even the kitchen staff eventually were serving the food .The food was average ,nothing special .Very disappointing.

We ate an amazing lunch in the Chequers Inn over the spring bank holiday weekend. The food was all excellent. We had a variety of dishes including steak, lobster and pasta and all the dishes were delicious. The service was not as good as it could be as they had been let down by staff and two people were trying to do the work of many more. We still had a really enjoyable lunch and will return.

Beautiful food.. horrific service, such a shame! We have visited the Chequers & stayed on several occasions, this time we took family for dinner. From the first greeting the lady behind the bar as very short with us, drinks took ages to arrive.. 3 out of 4 were either wrong or undrinkable. The food however arrived in good time and was absolutely lovely, I had the lobster which was excellent, the chap who brought the food out was friendly & pleasant. Unfortunately we ate & left to drink else where due to the poor atmosphere & genuinely being too nervous to trouble anyone for another drink!! Being hugely under staffed by a few who quite frankly shouldn’t be customer facing let this lovely place down.

Booked online and received confirmation for this poor excuse of a Michelin plate offering.I say that because when we arrived on time for our table at the Chequers we were told they did not have a table indoors. We were shown to an outside table that the staff had not even set up as it was raining and the table had an umbrella but that was not up as it was too windy at about 10 degrees. The lady offered a poor apology but then blamed us for booking on line for a Saturday night when they were fully booked. She just left us no offer of food and I am sure locals will realise no chance of a table at short notice at the venues we tried subsequently before we gave up. This is absolutely poor service, no attempt to contact us prior to our arrival, they did not care. They do not deserve the Michelin Plate status or AA Rosettes, as they do not care for all their clients.To top off the insult they sent an auto-generated email asking for our comments.Take care and do not rely on their integrity.

Totally disappointed with the whole experience. Had the table booked for 2 months and just did not live up to the website and expectations. Arrived and only 2 staff serving when clearly needed 6 people. Was awful service it was clear chaos. The 2 people were lovely doing their best but it was one of the worst restaurant experiences had for long time

The pub is of a very high standard with rooms that are extremely comfortable and clearly newly refurbished. The bar and side rooms are very cosy and comfortable.We had pre drinks sat on a lovely comfortable sofa before going into the lovely restaurant area.The food was some of the best I've had in any pub! We both had fish dishes which were quite superb! Followed by homemade puddings which were just lovely.My only moan is they don't have enough fully trained staff but if you get there early you won't have a problem.Definitely recommend to anyone. We will return.

I booked a table 6 weeks in advance. Unfortunately we never got to try the food or even have the opportunity to order a drink. Barely any staff to be seen upon arrival so we were seated by a staff member from the bar after an awkward wait.Then we sat and waited...and waited...and waited.25 mins later no one had been to the table or even acknowledged we were there so we walked out. Absolutely shocking for an establishment of this calibre. There seemed to be 2 waiting staff for the whole place; inside and out. It was impossible to get the attention of either as every single table in the room seemed to have a problem or issue; missing cutlery, forgotten drinks, wrong meal etc. All in all a horrible atmosphere. The disappointment in the room was palpable.

We had reserved a covered table in the garden. This was v attractive with a circular cushioned bench and round table. Sadly the service was virtually non existent. It took us over 2 hours to consume one course. There were two waitresses visible and one had not served there before so was unfamiliar with the menu. We were 4 and three of us ordered the shellfish selection which was good but took an hour to come. The other guest ordered the vegetarian pasta but they brought the seafood version which she is allergic to so we settled for the burrata. They have had a year to staff this restaurant but they kept telling us that they were dependant on an agency. There was no real apology and no sign of a manager - sadly they don’t deserve to survive.

We visited the chequers inn on Sunday the 2nd of May. In our booking form we stated our son has a severe nut allergy- we also called before going to the restaurant to make sure the chef was aware of our requirements and would be able to prepare food that hadn’t touched any nuts, which was confirmed over the phone. Upon our arrival, we reminded the waiter and the waitress that our 3 year old had a severe nut allergy, and that both his food and any other food on the table could not contain nuts. We ordered wild boar ragù pasta for our boy and I ordered a chicken dish- when I ordered it I asked the waiter if the dish contained any nuts, to which he said no, and I also asked to make sure that the dish would be prepared in the same way as our son’s food. The food arrived - the pasta dish was as expected nut free, but my chicken dish was covered in what looked like nuts. I called the waiter over and asked if those were nuts to which he said “I don’t think so”- I had to insist for him to go and check with the chef, who then confirmed it was hazelnuts. We obviously were fuming and for a good 15 minutes we had 2 waiters (one on the first ever shift) trying to tell us that it didn’t matter our food had nuts as our son’s food was fine- please note 3 year olds constantly cuddle you and kiss you, so no, it’s not fine if our food has nuts. We also pointed at his allergy kit that contains an epi pen and even then they didn’t seem too bothered. The manager eventually came out to speak to us, and after a lengthy conversation she admitted the whole meal was a massive f*** up (even though by law they are not required to list key allergens like nuts, she insisted). A beautiful restaurant that we will never return to as it’s just not worth the risk.This is so topical at the moment and we took every precaution that is recommended and felt very let down as things could have ended very badly. People with allergies want to have a normal life and enjoy meals out and more needs to be done to ensure that this can happen.

We had lunch in one of the pavilions which were so warm and inviting, perfectly spaced out for social distancing and comfortable too Food was amazing , we had starters of focaccia and burrata followed by incredibly tasty lobster and lamb chops My father asked to change the vegetables with his lamb and they happily replaced them with generous amounts of local asparagus The service was great, very friendly and dog friendly too - happily bringing her some ice We wanted to go back the next day but unfortunately they were fully booked so we’ll be back again as soon as we can - would definitely recommend - 5*****

6 of us had a long lunch in a heated outdoor pavilion. Food was great, though the whelks were a little daunting! Service excellent.

Booked a table here over a month prior to our visit (and as soon as we heard that outside dining would be permitted) assuming we would be put in one of their pods, unfortunately on arrival we were placed on a table outside with only a sun canopy. There are no heaters so if you had not booked a pod, make sure you are dressed appropriately for the conditions.Food ok but somewhat over priced in comparison to others in Thornham and only limited menu choice as no A La Carte available as shown on website. Also all desserts offered seem to be cold not ideal on a cold spring evening sitting outside, needless to say we did not partake.We have stayed before and enjoyed it, but feel that in the present situation they could do more to improve the experience for clients, ie maybe blankets & heaters.

We sat outside in this lovely old Inn but came away very disappointed the food although tasty mwe both had rib eye steak came out very quickly which was fine but we were not given any napkins. We asked for some more potatoes and our waitress said 'you will need to pay for those', hmmm yes of course. She was polite but felt she was abit abrupt. I also listened to another waitress spreak to another customer in a way which I felt was very short. And for our sweet my husband had ice cream which was only 2 very small scoops for £5 I thought it was too much. We did enjoy our food but felt something was lacky, but the outside area was very clean.

We really enjoyed our lunch in one of the garden pavilions yesterday and the staff were lovely. Thank you.

Great food, friendly service. Good menu choices. Didn’t feel rushed at all. Thanks for a good night out.

Dropped in for a drink, walked in with the pooch after a walk to find no one manning the bar. No instructions as to what to do. To get out of the way we moved to a table. One of us stood at the bar waiting. The bartender appeared I asked if we could sit in and got told have you ordered the pot of coffee? Advised no. To be told well that’s reserved. Asked where we could sit to be told no where indoors only outside. Walked back out to find all tables free out side and looking through the windows plenty of indoors tables free including no one in the snug. During this pandemic I appreciate that things are different and we want to support businesses. The attitude from the bartender was appalling as if we had interrupted her afternoon. So back out and down the road to the orange tree where we found the service welcoming and spot on.

We were staying here for a couple of nights and ate in the restaurant both days. The menu is different and interesting. One of the featured items is the fire bread which actually turns out to be a flat bread with pizza toppings, with quite a lot of cheese on. Although I asked what it was I wasn't given a very precise description and it turned out not to be a great choice for me. On the second night I had fish and the whole meal was much more enjoyable, very good indeed. My husband had the same experience with his meals. The quality of the cooking is very high so just make sure you choose the right things. Good wine list.

Some of the best food ever - wonderful ‘Aussie’ chef and v friendly waiter. Only grumble was coinciding time wise due to limited availability when we booked at last minute with a couple resident at The Checkers with a screeching toddler who were attempting fine dining - we were relieved when they took her upstairs out of embarrassment and returned later for main course as would have ruined our dining experience.Best pigs cheeks and arancini ever and my venison dish superlatively cooked.Well-affordable wines on well chosen short list all available by the glass - v useful husband chose fish dish in contrast to my venison !Expensive but worth every penny.

Good selection of locally sourced food nicely cooked. Restaurant can be a-bit soulless at the moment and check exactly where you will be sat as although we booked 6 weeks in advanced we were offered outside dining in the garden...(07:30pm in late Sept!) quick discussion followed and we were found a table inside. Appreciate the problems at the moment but who wants to sit outside, even if heated. Pretty pricey menu.

What a great find! Just had a few days in the area and we finished off our stay with Sunday lunch here. This is higher end pub food which was most enjoyable. Our table of 4 all had 3 courses and we couldn’t find fault with anything. Over the past few days we’ve eaten out a various places and this is definitely one of our personal favourites and a lovely way to end a few days away. The service was very good and covid measures were all good also. Looking forward to returning on our next visit to the area. Oh and it’s dog friendly, with plenty of dog friendly tables.

This wonderful restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday. We had lunch and the food and service were exceptional. A lot of effort has gone into having local ingredients in the menu selection, which was small, but every dish on there sounded great. Of the two starters, mains & desserts we actually tried- they tasted as good as they read on the menu. Our dog was also made very welcome

Cant comment on service or food as we were bumped from our reservation (just 1 week before our reservation date having booked in mid July) to outside on the road which, of course, we declined.

Booked a table 2 days before we arrived. We're given the menu ordered our meal a joke 3 small pieces of pork 2 small mash potato watercress & 4 roast potatoes. A bottle of wine. £70.95! Having a joke. Came last year not the same. I know things have change but not again. Staff didn't seem bothered.

The restaurant must have been having an off night, there were 8 of us and none of the starters or main courses delivered. Cullenskink starter at eight pounds was disappointing, undercooked potato and watery, papardelle pasta lacking flavor and venison that was as tough as shoe leather (nearly 30 pounds), portions in general small. Can’t think why anyone would return to this overpriced dining experience other than the lady serving us was great, apologized for the poor food and took the venison off the bill, she saved the evening of which the food was poor value. Advice so far is not to dine in a Thornham pub.

Great meal out with friends in this beautiful restaurant. Despite the effect the Covid situation has had on the pub they have coped exceptionally well and they have re-configured the inside restaurant seating area to ensure this meets with latest guidance.The staff were very attentive and friendly.The food was exceptional. We had the ‘full box’ starter which means you benefit from sampling all of the seperate starters on offer, which was delicious and very reasonably priced. The whole lobster was also superb as was the lobster pasta dish and the lamb flatbread main.Starters, mains, bottle of nice wine and coffees for the 4 of us came in at a very reasonable £160.I would seriously recommend this place to anyone who is staying/in the vicinity of Thornham, it was GREAT.

As mentioned in previous reviews, there is a serious lack of atmosphere. I think this is due to young staff who haven't had any customer service training and no real knowledge of the menu on offer. The evening menu was very limited, which can be a positive thing if the food is of a superior standard. Sadly not. We enquired about the "box to share" as a starter and were told that it was a mix of the four starters on the menu but it was completely different. For main my husband had the beef skirt steak, which was good, but I opted for the lobster pasta, a big mistake. Pasta should be freshly cooked and al dente but it seemed as though it had been overcooked well in advance and heated through. The pasta was so overcooked that it disintegrated when I attempted to get it onto my fork. Breakfast was ok but we were given just enough coffee for a cup each and a slice of toast each way before our breakfasts arrived, meaning that if we'd waited to eat it our toast would have been stone cold. So when breakfast did arrive I had my smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with no toast. There was no offer of extra coffee or toast and no question of "Is everything ok for you?" Coffee and toast, so inexpensive and a little customer service costs nothing. Our room was lovely and the COVID procedures were very thorough.Such a shame the small things were missing because they would have made such a difference to our experience.

We stayed here on the first night of our Norfolk Coastal Path Walk. We were lucky to have the little cottage next to the inn, Willow, I would recommend you ask for this. It’s very spacious, clean and quirky. The staff were very friendly and the breakfast was excellent.

We visited recently for a mid-week lunch as having visited in early March for a fabulous evening meal were keen to return. However we were very disappointed - in particular my main course of the charcuterie board resembled nothing more than a supermarket packet of mixed meat placed on a plate with some bread and the pickles were in fact a blob of chutney - the meat hadn't even been arranged any differently to what it would have looked like in the packet - a disappointing offering for a restaurant. Starters and desserts were OK but overall poor value, limited lunch menu and it did not inspire me to go back. Perhaps out of the holiday season more effort is made in the kitchen.

We were booked in to the Chequers for dinner on 10th August 2020 having booked a table for four the previous week.We arrived promptly for our reservation at 7.30 and although not clear on arrival,after questioning, the safety experience was good.We were seated outside as expected,the waitress was friendly and took our drinks order.When returning with our drinks we asked the waitress about some items on the menu and it was clear she had not been trained adequately to answer our questions,we ordered regardless and when she brought our starters(wherry and haddock croquettes and wild mushroom arancini) they arrived on very small plates without any kind of garnish.One of the mains was incorrect,and the side dish we ordered was cold,the waitress apologised and took the items back to be changed.In the meantime we realised the other three mains were cold and uninviting,including the steak which came without any kind of garnish,we sent the rest of the dishes back,We expressed our dissatisfaction, the waitress was very sympathetic and said she would pass our comments to the manager who, given we were clearly unhappy about all aspects of our meals took 10 minutes to come over to see us after clearing tables,a job which was obviously more important!!He listened to all our comments and apologised but it was not sincere in fact it was bordering on nonchalant.We offered to pay for the drinks we ordered and he mumbled a reply,after waiting a further 10 minutes for him to come back we left without being charged for anything.This is the first holiday all of our party had been on since lockdown and we were all really looking forward our meal out,we were all sadly disappointed.We also visited the Crab house at Wells and Socius Burnham Market during our stay,both of these restaurants were outstanding for food and customer service.

Would have liked food but all tables were booked. We had a couple of drinks each as it felt like they were Covid aware and service was prompt with polite friendly staff who knew what they were doing. Entrance to the pub was through one door with exit out another door.

Now let’s get this straight , something big has been happening in the world....... what is it .....oh yeah ! Most pubs are not pubs anymore , but restaurants that sell some alcoholic drinks as well, and this is no different. The moongazer on pump is a delicious crisp fruited/ malt flavour, well worth a try, and the food, all be it a reduced menu, was excellent, beef skirt steak, lobster tagliatelle, sharing box, all recommended. Staff busy, but doing their best at awkward times, strange how a nurse is a hero if you sit in a&e for 4 hours , but if your dinner is 25 minutes late because the chef is rushed off his feet , that gives you the ok to shout at them! And oh how many people were turned away because they did not book ! That is not their fault it is your fault. So book , we booked 2 weeks ago, every day of the week, try it people.

Really very disappointed that we had to leave without experiencing lunch here . I’d read some reviews before booking and was unsure but none the less we thought we should try for ourselves ! I wish I hadnt bothered . We arrived to an empty bar unmanned by staff . We waited and after a brief discussion that masks were now mandatory to wear inside a restaurant and bar, we were shown to our table . I could hear mutterings that others were struggling with the limited menu and there was zero atmosphere. I was really shocked that after visiting their website and seeing roast beef and roast pork that actually I could only choose from about five dishes served mostly with chips ! I didn’t book this, I booked a Sunday lunch and had not been told during several communications that this would not be offered . After ten mins we were asked if we would like a drink, still hearing other tables disappointed reactions to such a terrible menu. We visited four other very well known restaurants locally during our stay and not one of them operated in such an unimpressive, lifeless, and soulless way . The waitress advised that since covid they wouldn’t offer Sunday lunch . I asked why their website still offered a very tempting and varied menu when reality was actually a very poor and unimpressive one . She advised the website had not been changed ( although covid rules have been added to the site ) . The strange thing is, my review isn’t the only one with similar complaint so there’s really no point telling us thanks for the feedback, I’ll pass it on if you don’t then make the changes ! A really disappointing visit put right by the Orange Tree who jiggled some tables, got us in and offered a fabulous Sunday lunch of lamb ballotine with a very extensive menu too ! This morning some friends updated their Facebook - seems they were equally unimpressed by The Chequers visit too - what a shame everyone else seems to have got it right with The Chequers lagging miles behind them !

Visited here with wife and two children, 3 and 9. The website had some lovely menus shown and we liked the look of the food, so we booked in advance. The menu was very strange and nothing like the website. The children's menu was 3 pastas and lamb kofta, I would suggest they could be more imaginative. In the event the kids both had pasta with meatballs, and neither liked it. The meatballs had (I assume) been cooked separately and were overcooked and dry, then plonked onto a bowl of pasta which was uninspiring. It was also pappardelle which adults would like, but the 3 year old struggled with, and it was given a thumbs down by both. I had 'fire bread' which is basically a fancy name for pizza. It was tasty but nothing special. My wife had the meat platter which was basic salamis that you find in the supermarket, with chutney and dry focaccia, she left most of it. We shared the mushroom arancini which were quite good, and some utterly disgusting sloppy green olives. The children had doughnuts which were fine. One cider, lemonade, apple juice and sparkling water. £75. Rip off, I would not recommend it.

Charged £30 in advance per person for dinner (when we booked a room) and the actual cost of our meal was just £35 for the 2 of us. No refund given when we asked for one.Nothing on the menu for veretarians and anyone who does not eat shelfish will also have a very limited choice.Not recommended

Fantastic food, fantastic setting, fantastic service. Having felt nervous about having our first meal out since March, we were pleasantly reassured with cleanliness and procedures in place to keep everybody safe.

Good friendly service. The lobster is delicious - a little on the expensive side but great as a treat. We were there on a warm summer evening but good to see that there are space heaters available if the weather turns colder.

We visited The Chequers for the first time since being under new management, the menu was not anything like the menu posted on the website, it was a struggle to find anything to eat, several tables had drinks looked at the menu and moved on without ordering food, this was on the first day of the government Eat Out to Help Out scheme, when we paid our bill, the waiter looked blankly and we received no discount, although on the Government website, they were in the scheme, slow service, average food

Based on a recommendation from the Times we went for lunch. Booked a table outside. The venue is excellent and the staff helpful and welcoming. The menu was restricted and the portion size modest. The food was fine but expensive for what it was. The precautions for COVID were very good. The men's toilet was exceptional, not often you can say that!So if you are in the area you won't be disappointed but be prepared for a high cost.

We choose the Chequers based on a recommendation from the hotel we were booked at. We checked out the restaurant menu, and booked online 8 days in advance - booking for the restaurant. We had an email asking us to confirm about 24 hours before, which we did. About 3 hours before our reservation we got a call to say that we would be seated outside, as the inside was being reserved for the residents. It was a lovely day so we said okay, as long as it didn't rain. My partner was a bit annoyed, as he rightly said they could have given us more notice in case that didn't work for us and we would have had time to research and book an alternative. We were seated in the garden, which was nicely set out and well spaced out. There were citronella candles on each table and the waiting staff apologised for the bugs, saying there was an unusual amount around. Again, it would have been nice to have been warned about that when they called to confirm our reservation. When we got the menu we were surprised to find it very different from what we had seen online - a reduced selection based on pizzas and grill based food - and not what we were looking forward to based on the online restaurant menu. We asked if we could order from the restaurant menu and was told that they were only doing the alfresco menu at the moment. Again, fair enough but if we had been told that at the time of booking or anytime before we arrived we would have gone elsewhere as this was not the food we wanted this evening. The waiter said the website hadn't been updated which is why we saw an old menu. We shared a box ( a mix of starters) and we had lobster and steak with fries. We shared a bottle of wine, which was nice. The food was fine. My partner had a beer, a pudding and a coffee too . We paid approx £135 including a tip. I felt this was expensive for the quality of the food. The staff were friendly and attentive though, and the venue was very pretty. I think if we had had our expectations managed better we wouldn't have felt as disappointed.

Review also on other listing, but didn’t realise this one’s for the restaurant:We were expecting a quintessential garden Sunday lunch at Chequers Inn amidst Covid-19, having just been allowed to return. The inn had a long-standing and built-up reputation of excellence and was recommended to by a friend. So, we thought we would visit. We sat outside in an absolutely beautiful pavilion, which has sides on and heaters as well as fairy lights for eating outside in the evening. The menu is not quite what we were expecting. Had the circumstances been more ‘normal’ I would have seen this as slightly more disappointing, but the menu was much different to what was the usual menu. Basically, the menu had some Josper Grill dishes, and some flat bread pizzas with lobsters etc. The menu is limited, but as I say, the coronavirus conditions have made this more ideal. Everything served is within plastic cups and cardboard boxes to prevent the spread of the virus, and outdoors a serving table contains sanitisers and all condiments needed for your meal. Also, when depositing food at the table, instead, diners go to this serving table to collect their food, to limit contact.The food is absolutely excellent. Having eaten a meatball parpadelle, it was lovely, and well presented, and the lobster was also excellent. So, all in all, with the outdoor dining layout and the amazing response to Covid-19, our meal felt safe, and tasty.Would definitely recommend to anyone scouting spots for lunch or dinner (even though outdoor tables are not available till 22 July) - it’s not traditional at the mo, but promises to be an enjoyable visit.

In comparison to nearby ‘The Orange Tree’ and ‘Socius’ this was a terrible experience. The short menu was overpriced and served picnic style (cardboard boxes), the staff were too concerned with social distancing to worry about service quality or the ambiance. I would suggest Chequers should wait until COVID has passed to reopen as their very strict operation makes dining here uncomfortable and not an enjoyable experience. The food was okay but we expected better and were disappointed the short menu was not mentioned when booking

Very enjoyable and pleasant experience. Delicious freshly baked pizzas and a really lovely ambience.

Ate dinner here on two nights while staying at the hotel. Food absolutely excellent on both occasions, very helpful staff happy to advice on wines.

We are three people who monthly meet to lunch at a pub, usually (but not always) in north Norfolk. We came to The Chequers because we had recently read about its having been refurbished and under new, young managers. We were not disappointed. The menu was varied and had dishes for all tastes.As we ordered our food, we were presented with delicious amuse bouches and sourdough bread.From the starters menu two of us chose the mussels which were delicious and one chose the smoked salmon which was also good and a generous serving.For the main course one chose the Holkham venison chop, one the rib-eye steak and one the stone bass. Served with beautifully cooked vegetables, these were very satisfying meals of generous portions.Only two of us had room for dessert and chose the chocolate mousse and the other the Cranachan. With our coffee we were served petit fours.The draught beers were very good and there was a wide selection of wines.This was an outstanding lunch served in convivial, cosy surroundings by a very attentive waiter. It was far better than most of the Norfolk pubs and verged on "fine dining".The facilities were clean, especially the loos and the parking area was very large.

A good range of local beer , helpful and attentive service and delicious food. We were delighted with our Stone bass and chocolate mouse.

Finding a table in the restaurant was easy with very few bookings, which is strange along the coast on a weekend. The menu is odd as it requires rotation to read, limited options for a vegetarian, which I now find disappointing as veganism is extremely trendy. The restaurant was cold as they kept opening to door to let the horrendous smoke from the kitchen out (6 degrees outside)! The gentleman waiter was attentive and very pleasant, which differs from some of the other staff member (no public embarrassment here). The food was extremely disappointing as the salmon dish was tiny, over priced (£21), over cooked with oil puddling around it’s periphery. The brown ship were lovely as was the crispy leek but I was still very hungry after I finished it. Don’t get me wrong, it tasted fine but for £21 I’m expecting a well cooked and filling meal. My partner didn’t fare much better as his pork belly was hard, the crackling like dust and an overwhelming ash taste took over the whole dish.. saying that, he did eat it all but then he was also hungry. We left and no we didn’t complain because it wasn’t about getting a refund, they couldn’t rectify that I would now stink like a Bon fire for the rest of the day and to be honest I just needed to get out of the smoke filled room. If they read this, if they do nothing at all about the bad food experience, I really hope they shut off the open window into the kitchen or stop the chefs creating so much smoke!

Just had a beautiful meal here. Food was the best on Norfolk coast and I say that as a local. Ribeye Steak was superb. Definitely a recommend

My husband and I stayed the night and enjoyed dinner and breakfast. The place itself is lovely, cosy and has character which lends itself for a great atmosphere. The bedrooms are well styled and equipped, lovely bathrooms. The food was Delicious! Fresh seafood and local meat which you would expect in a location such as this and it didn't disappoint. Staff were friendly and personable. Enjoyed our short stay.

Superb meal. Helpful and attentive staff. Relaxed atmosphere. Catered for the old and young appropriately

Dined here on the last night of our holiday and found that the newly re-opened pub/hotel was excellent. The food was all that we could hope for. the staff friendly and efficient and the feel of the place very comfortable. If they can maintain this standard they are on m a winner

Stayed in Thornham and booked here for a special meal. It was perfect, from the great welcome, attentive service (but not annoyingly so,) excellent staff knowledge of the dishes and fabulous food. The smoked haddock starter kicked things off on a high note for us, followed by the rib eye with the best chips ever, to the apple cake which was almost a pineapple upside down cake with a treacle toffee and ice cream. Loved this meal, would heartily recommend and a place we will certainly book again. Special praise go to the kitchen staff for really good cooking and thanks to Steve our server. A team to be proud of.

Excellent service, great food and lovely accommodation. Couldn't find fault and can't wait to return to such a lovely place.

A lot of effort has been put in to this venue but lack of attention to final product meant our stay was disappointing. The room has lots of nice touches - high quality space and we enjoyed the sloe gin - but a strong smell of 'dog' was present and several fittings in the bathroom were loose. Our evening meal was average, quite high prices and the worst pork belly I have ever been served. Breakfast was very good.

We went for our 5 year anniversary and stayed over. We had the white beanm room and the room was lovely, complimentary gin shots on arrival. Guest book said there was also home made biscuits however they were not present. The room was located over the kitchen and it could very much be heard.

We were stopping in the village and wanted something a bit nice for my mums birthday, this got the nod over the other 2 pubs in the village and after trying the other 2 during our spell I'd say this is the nicest (though the other 2 were both great too!).

We had dinner and spent the night here. The room (Alder) was lovely - at the top of the Inn and with a few flights of narrow stairs to get to it, but well worth it. A really cosy room with a very comfortable bed. Nice touches like lovely toiletries, bathrobes, sloe gin, biscuits and fresh milk (happy to provide non-dairy) in a flask for tea and coffee made us feel very welcome. The bathroom was great too with a large bath and separate walk-in shower. the room isn’t huge and headroom is restricted by the eaves, but worth it for the overall feel and experience.

Ate here on a Sunday evening and came away having had a really good experience. We had two dogs with us who were both warmly welcomed. The staff could not have been more friendly, helpful or efficient. We only had pizzas and a starter but everything was top quality and served quickly. This is definitely one of the best pubs in the area and certainly the best in Thornham. The whole place is beautifully decorated and there's a nice garden at the back.

We first visited during the day when we stopped off for a drink. We were very impressed by the location, the place and especially the barman. We are a family of 7 and we needed to find somewhere to eat in the evening, and we chose the Chequers. They seated us outside in the round table section and we enjoyed fantastic food and brilliant service. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.

We ate in the bar area as we had our dog with us but the same menu is available as in the restaurant.

We ate twice while in Thornham even though we stayed at the sister hotel The Lifeboat. We wished to vary our options and we sure did.

Popped in to check out for future reference. We were very impressed. Given the quality of local establishment I feel the chequers inn are definitely up there. Food review to follow.

Stayed here for 3 nights. Great location to visit the Norfolk coast, villages and National Trust Houses, plus Sandingham. The room was clean. great shower room. Also have Netflix and Spotify for entertainment in the room if needed. Staff are friendly and attentive. Excellent breakfast and dinners. If you stay at the back of the building - no traffic noise early morning. Total silence.

We were very pleasantly surprised by the standard of cooking and flavour combinations and variety on offer for lunch. The service of Nathan and his girlfriend was charming and efficient. The wine list is good. We ended up having lunch three days running and tested things from pizza to steak, marinated salmon, great desserts. The dining room looks nice for dinner too. Would recommend over a lot of other local hyped places eg the Orangery or The White Horse (though the latter has a view in daylight, which Chequers does not). Not glitzy but very good.

Great selection of ales although it can be a very long time to be served when busy. Only one person serving when I was last there and many people waiting. The remaining staff seemed to be running around keeping the guests that were eating stocked up with drinks. This is understandable, so just be prepared for a long wait or visit the other two nice pubs in Thornham if you’re just after a drink.

I was very disappointed with the meal last night I ordered sea bream. The single fish was very small and 3 potatoes served with it absolutely shocking for the price of £19 I definitely won’t recommend this restaurant to anyone and will actively tell people to avoid it. I left still feeling hungry.

Had a nice meal here last Wednesday. Meat pizza was very good and steak also good. Service prompt and friendly

On arrival we were asked if we had a dog which we replied no and wife said good as that would make me ill and then was assured no dog's allowed the room on arrival looked spacious and clean but smelt unusual which we presumed was lack of ventilation which we later asked for a fan on my side of the bed was a distinct dog smell didn't say anything as told no dog's allowed in that room we have since found out that willow is a dog friendly room on this occasion my wife was not poorly however someone with a bad allergie could become ill be honest with good paying guest's

stayed at chequers with my dog room was very dark needed lights on all the time.breakfast was lovely but service very slow.each member of staff treat you different one morning i got a lovely breakfast and plenty then next morning another member of staff was on and half the breakfast was missing.sloe gin was nice.

Lovely 2 night stay ad a birthday break, staff were lovely very helpful , room was lush and breakfast very good. Couldn’t have asked for more.

Had a great meal here on 20/07/19 with 22 friends no complaints, staff very nice and very helpful good food

My wife and I popped in on a Thursday night after week in Thornham to have some pizzas. The experience was beyond disappointing to level where I hope this was an off night or I'd fear for the future of the restaurant.

The room was a good size, and there were plenty of welcoming touches. Very clean, food and drink items replenished daily (Biscuits, Tea, Coffee etc). The breakfast room offers an abundance in fresh fruit, home made cereal, fresh drinks, a selection of jams and a menu offering a good choice of cooked breakfast, all inclusive. The restaurant menu is also quality. Above all, the location is ideal for coastal walks and is just a short drive to other coastal walks.

Not disappointed by our second visit. Friendly staff and very good food. Dog friendly in the bar area. Will come again when in the area next September.

We happened upon Chequers Inn, by chance, during our last Norfolk holiday and had an excellent meal. It was on our list of return restaurants and it lived up to our high expectations this week when we dropped in for lunch.

After enjoying an amazing evening meal with faultless staff last year, I booked a table for myself, 2 daughters and 4 year old grandson last Saturday. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The over priced, mismatched dishes, small portions and well over cooked breaded chicken and chips (childs portion) at £8.95 I asked the staff if it was same owners, apparently it is but new chef and kitchen team. Needless to say I won’t be eating there again.

Firstly, we arrived to early for normal check in time but our room was ready so we were allowed early access. We opted for one of the so called "better" rooms. This was very pleasant, nicely furnished with a good bathroom. We have stayed at their sister room, Tuddenham Mill so the free bottle of sloe gin was no surprise. Didn't find our free biscuits though!

Our family of four adults were disappointed by our Saturday (15th) evening meal

We had lunch a couple of weeks back on a Saturday. Delicious Prawn tempura, served with a soy cabbage and a chilli jam we shared this unfortunately as I could of eaten it all!!

We visited for lunch after a quick paddle in the sea at Brancaster. Even though we were scruffily dressed we were warmly welcomed and found our spot in the bar. The food was superb, the flat-iron steak was amazingly tender and flavoursome and the tapas was also good. The lunch menu represents excellent value with plenty to choose from. This is definitely the best option in the local area... I've tried the rest and they simply don't compare to The Chequers for value and quality. Well done guys!

We stayed here for 2 nights and dined here one evening. The room was great, they offer lovely little touches such a sloe gin, homemade biscuits in the room and fresh milk. The breakfast was fantastic, plenty of choice and the freshly baked croissants were ideal. The evening food is good, but not great. The staff seemed rushed despite the restaurant being half full. Slightly overpriced in terms of quality and other restaurants that are on offer in the surrounding area in my opinion. Would definitely recommend for a short getaway break.

I would liked to have rated this restaurant as good, but the scoring system doesn't allow it and I'm not quite sure why it didn't hit the spot.

We stayed dinner bed and breakfast.

Stayed many times and always enjoyed it. Ideal location. New restaurant menu replaces some classic dishes which were very popular.

This restaurant come pub serves good food with great service. The refurb is intended to give an old feel to it and just about works. The food is fresh and tasty. All round good place to eat (better than their sister restaurant The Lifeboat)

Arrived on Sunday for my birthday, room was lovely, cosy and the perfect size for me and my partner.. but unfortunately that’s where the good things stop..