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Smallburgh is very fortunate to possess the facility of an excellent place namely the Crown Inn, to meet friends and acquaintances over a traditional drink or a meal of superb quality. Mine host and hostess, Carl and Sue Hunter respectively, extend a cordial and sincere welcome to all who patronise the establishment which is open every day of the week at normal times except for Sunday evenings and Monday lunchtimes. There is a wide range of beers and other drinks to enjoy and a menu of beautifully cooked food which will satisfy every taste. There is much evidence to substantiate the assertion that the Crown is a fifteenth century building; it has been much adapted over the years to meet the demands of a well-patronised twentieth century facility while displaying many original features and retaining an endearing charm. Comfortable and interesting it is an ideal place in which to relax every season of the year.
The main building is a two-storeyed timber framed structure, brick walled with a flint base and the roof is thatched with a hipped end to the east but a gabled end to the west. Its type of construction provides sound evidence that this main part was built in the early fifteenth century and its layout strongly suggests its original use as a public building. Presently the ground floor accommodates the bar, a cosy, friendly and extensive drinking area, a back room providing another place for drinking, and also a dart playing area. The second storey above this bar area is now divided into bedroom accommodation for guests. It is most interesting in that originally it was one large room and may well have been used in medieval times for such occasions as a court and public meeting place and also as a sleeping area for guests.
On the east side of this main building, again of two storeys a brick extension with a tiled roof, projects to the south and houses the restaurant in the lower storey and the living quarters in the upper. It is thought that this was added in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century to act as a facility for the many travellers associated with increasing trade in wheat and wool to Holland especially. Careful observation of the northern wall of the present restaurant will disclose blocked windows and doors which tell of changed uses and consequent alterations over the years.
Certainly there are many features to wonder at as the Crown is studied from the interior or the exterior. It is intriguing to just stand quietly outside and reflect on the many events and changes that this lovely old house has seen over the many centuries that it has been a part of our village. Also how rewarding it is to sit inside on a warm summer evening or by the roaring open fire on a winter evening, imaging the place in its yesteryears and being a part of its today.
