Having been a family-run business for more than 40 years, The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech has certainly been through its fair share of changes.

Eastern Daily Press: The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV.The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV. (Image: Archant)

William Moore bought the property when it was still the Crown Service Station garage, complete with 'truck-stop' style café, even offering 'Petrol with your Stroganoff' to patrons during the 70s petrol crisis!

Today, The Crown Lodge looks almost unrecognisable from its original incarnation, offering an incredibly well-stocked bar serving some good local beers and ales alongside their European counterparts. They have a fantastic array of gins, which we felt obliged to try for research purposes, obviously, and have to say we can't remember the last time we had a G&T that good.

The hotel boasts 10 rooms, all tastefully decorated with modern bathrooms, and immaculately clean – something you tend to notice while spending endless Sundays watching Four in a Bed. Not content with that however, director Tim Gibb and his team are in the throws of an expansion, adding an outer building which will house an extra nine larger bedrooms to the hotel. A clever move, as The Crown Lodge also plays host to wedding receptions across the year as well as offering corporate function rooms for business conferences on top of being an idyllic location for a relaxing weekend away.

The Crown Lodge Hotel is proud to be an independent business, bordering Cambridgeshire and just a short drive from the historic town of Wisbech, situated on a stretch of the historical Well Creek waterway. Its location is beautiful and very peaceful, despite being situated off a fairly busy road.

And the hotel still has an onsite squash court built by Tim's father in the late 70s!

As well as receiving a three star rating from the AA, The Crown Lodge Hotel is also home to The Moorings - a Rosette winning restaurant with prices for main meals starting from £9, and offering locally sourced meats and produce. Although the hotel seems a fair drive from Norwich, it's well worth a visit and the perfect location for a sunny Sunday afternoon with welcoming staff who manage to keep up that 'family-run' feel.

Need to know:

Being a hotel, the bar at The Crown Lodge Hotel is open seven days a week, usually closing at 11pm for non-residents. The onsite Moorings Restaurant serves daily from 12pm to 2pm for lunch service, Afternoon Tea served between 3pm and 5pm, although must be booked in advance and not available on Sundays. Dinner service resumes at 6:30pm with orders taken until 9pm, with traditional Sunday lunches available on Sundays.

Eastern Daily Press: Inside The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV.Inside The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV. (Image: Archant)

6 of the Best, with the Director of The Crown Lodge Hotel, Tim Gibb:

When is the best time to visit your pub?

Friday evenings. There's a good balance between people dining and drinking, and we sometimes have live music on a Friday too.

What is the best memory you have of your pub?

Eastern Daily Press: Sign for The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV.Sign for The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV. (Image: Archant)

Receiving Silver Star status from the AA

What is the best pint you serve?

Lacons Encore – it goes with everything!

What is the best dish on your menu?

Eastern Daily Press: The bar at The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV.The bar at The Crown Lodge Hotel in Outwell, Wisbech. Photo: Mustard TV. (Image: Archant)

Crisp Belly Pork, served with Madeira sauce and a spiced apple gel.

What is the best hangover cure known to man?

Got to be a cooked breakfast, maybe with a Bloody Mary on the side.

What is the best pub to visit in Norfolk, other than your own?

The Hare Arms, Stow Bardolph, King's Lynn.

Watch The Great Norfolk Pub Guide in association with Lacons on The Mustard Show this Friday (6pm on Mustard TV: Freeview Ch7 or Virgin Ch159).

Catch up on the whole series by searching 'Great Norfolk Pub Guide' on the Norfolk Now YouTube channel.