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Hours
Sun
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Mon
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tue
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Wed
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Special Occasion Dining, View, Groups, Bar Scene
Details
About
The pub is located in Old Hunstanton which is the only village on the east coast to face west. Its buildings date back to the 1600s. They were originally the barns and stable block for the adjacent house - now a delightful four star hotel. There are low beams, snug seating and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Atmospheric, the pub has a fine collection of local nautical prints and regalia. You’ll also find a warm Norfolk welcome, excellent food and drink. Outside there is a well designed terrace and decking with lawns that lead down to sand dunes and the sea beyond. Sit out on a fine summer’s evening and watch the sun go down over the Wash - it's an idyllic setting for a drink and a meal.
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Dog Friendly
Contribute
3.5
1,153 reviews
Excellent
312
Very good
342
Average
253
Poor
134
Terrible
112
Chloe C
7 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
My partner and I visited here a couple of times in early January and we left as very happy customers on both occasions. The food was fresh and tasty with surprisingly generous portions (especially the chicken caesar salad which was huge!) The staff were friendly too. We will return next time we come to Old Hunstanton.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denzil Rayworth
Kirkby-in-Ashfield14 contributions
May 2021 • solo
I was recomended to go go here by a neighbour who had visited before COVID. To be honest I wouldn't recommend it, over priced for what I got and elements of the main meal weren't reflected by the price. Service was good by friendly staff but when I rang to see if a booking was needed I was told 'no' I would have liked to be in the room with a sea view and when I asked for that ,was told ' no they are booked'. Although even with the strictest COVID standards were tables free.
£37 for a main meal (steak) a pudding and 2 pints may be ok to many but make your own minds up.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverley D
450 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
We often pop up the mariner when In sunny hunny and after lockdown we were keen to get back. It was my Dads 75th birthday weekend . We sat outside;ordered inside and when your food is ready they shout your table number and you collect it from a central station . The stark was good , chicken burger was tasty - good value for money . The sunset , see picture was amazing - we will return - Thankyou
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pippam142
Bournemouth16 contributions
Mar 2020 • family
Ordered starters and mains which never came. Asked 2 different waiters when it would be ready, they said they would go and ask but never came back! Third time lucky and starters arrived after waiting an hour. Again waited ages for mains and one of the dishes was burnt. Didn't complain as we were so fed up and just wanted to pay and leave!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LindseyG789
We are very sorry to hear about your disappointing visit. We have raised these issues regarding the service with management team to investigate further.
If you would like to contact us regarding your visit please email us on marketing@abacushotels.co.uk
Written March 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jane m
Cromer25 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Appalling food, the waitress admitted it had only been reheated in the kitchen not cooked. We paid about £13 for a so called fish pie. First find the fish under all the potato, when found tiny little squares of grey slimy fish. The plates were cold consequently the vegetables were cold. My husband had a steak pie, the pastry looked like concrete. Luckily we were not charged for my pie because it was inedible. Apparently the kitchen is not big enough to prepare and cook food, why don't they say so? Staff were brilliant.
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wildknight65
25 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Food was okay today, but it’s a shame there was no management helping the young guys in the restaurant, the manager on duty either requires more training, or woke up in a bad mood. As the restaurant got busy lots of mistakes were being made, no guidance from the manager to her teams, tables were not being prioritised, drinks orders forgotten, no cutlery brought to tables, no plates being cleared. I felt sorry for the young waitresses, they were trying, but you can really tell that more training was required in this area.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caz B
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • couples
Not greeted by a sour faced darlek entombed in perspex tomb, dismissed to side room as they had a coach party coming in. As it was my birthday meal was hoping for happy courteous service, oh how mistaken could we be! Order from photocopied menu Scampi and chips and ribs. Also tea and orange and lemonade. Walked over to collect drink which didn't seem to have orange or lemonade in, had better soda streams in the 80's. Scampi arrived and was raw on inside so sent back only to have same scampi returned now burnt on outside still raw on inside which was enough for us to walk out having not eaten but paid for the worst meal/service ever!! Am local and never to return.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jipples
Biggleswade13 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We popped into the mariner as it was close to the beach, just a quick drink in mind.
The mariner is unsurprisingly (due to name) an old sticky floor style pub. I can’t attest to the food as we didn’t order any, however I did peruse the menu as it was on a table. It seemed to have the standard sort of fayre, but expensive for the environment and overall cheap feel of there place (about £13 for fish and chips).
My wife used the toilets and said they were disgusting and the glass she was drinking was dirty. The staff seemed pleasant enough to their credit. Overall I would say that the mariner is akin to a wetherspoons, just without the cheap prices.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
louiseupton66
Melton Mowbray27 contributions
Jan 2022 • couples
We were staying in Old Hunstanton for the weekend, and booked a table in The Mariner on the Thursday evening.
We needn't have bothered booking, as there were only 2 other tables occupied.
Expecting to have a good, prepared and cooked by a chef on the premises meal, as the pub is attached to the Le Strange Arms Best Western hotel, we were not at all impressed.
We had garlic prawns to start with, which we suspect were pre-prepared, frozen ready to microwave. Can't prove it, but they just didn't seem freshly prepared.
My partner had a steak and ale pie, which he said was the saltiest, flavourless pie he had ever eaten.
If you like deep fried or microwaved food than this will suit you, but if you like freshly prepared food with good flavour, then this is not the restaurant for you.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angele65
Buckinghamshire2563 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
This was my first visit here to The Ancient Mariner with my family all in a beautiful setting over looking the sea. We sat at a table on the grass admiring the stunning views.
Everywhere is clearly marked out and there is a one way system in place. There are throw away menus and a track and trace in place, you order inside and and your drinks the same way, once all is ordered you move to the bar area and collect your drinks from a tray, all very well organised indeed which I find particularly reassuring.
We ordered gammon egg & chips, fish and chips, veggie burger chips and salad & a chicken Caesar salad. The gammon was undercooked but it was dealt efficiently and replaced almost immediately. It was almost effortless. We enjoyed a couple of Prosecco’s and had a very enjoyable visit.
I have no idea how many covers are actually there but it is a lot. We didn’t book to get a table either, there is a large dining area inside also.
All tables are wiped down which is also a very good thing. We were also very lucky with the parking.
Highly recommend and thank you
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah F
King's Lynn2 contributions
Sep 2021 • family
My sister & I decided to head up the coast last week for some lunch & we thought we would go somewhere different for a change. I don't think we will make that mistake again. The entire set up of how you order, pay, collect drinks & find a table is a shambles. Customers wonder round confused & the staff are so disinterested. The young lads waiting tables & cleaning/clearing tables are so rude. Forcing their way through people come in & out of the doors carrying drinks & not so much as smiling, acknowledging or apologising for forcing past. The girls on the tills seem more interested in their personal lives & chatting about their worries than serving people & being helpful. The menu is terrible! Very little to choose from & ice cream as a desert?! Whilst waiting for our drinks I asked the lad behind the bar to change the glass for our drink as it was filthy, he picked up another 3 checked them & put them back. Then picked up another & said these should be clean they're new. I said "they should all be clean if your using them". I just can't help but think there's some serious issues there at the minute. My sister ordered steak medium rare & when it came it had just about seen a pan, it was blue & not very nice at all. The only thing I would say that was a positive experience was that the weather was so lovely & the view was nice. I would suggest if your going to charge the prices that you are, then you re-think your menu, set up & over all training of staff. Back to the lodge for us from now on.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaydeek
Tolworth63 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
The limited menu choice was okay but didn’t deliver on quality or taste.
Other reviewers made the comparison to Wetherspoons. I would agree that Wetherspoons provides a superior product at a lower price.
Have to say that the staff were delightful
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arfortune
Hitchin84 contributions
May 2021 • family
I know it’s been a horrendous 15 months for hospitality but if this is how pubs think it’s ok to get confidence back I fear the worse.
First I’ll start with the positives - the Bitter and wine was nice and the food ok (finally), and one member of staff obviously had some idea of service wishing us a nice evening as we left.
But in general this was a poor show;
1- inexperienced and uninterested staff. Firstly we had to ask for the table to be wiped down as it was sticky and had drink left on it. Then the order came to the table totally wrong with the server’s response ‘are you sure you didn’t order this?’, then one meal was served cold with the response ‘would you like it warmed up?’, dish plonked back with no apology or offer of condiments. Tried to order another drink with 2 staff standing at bar 5m away and ignoring us, when I went to bar on way to toilet was told we have to serve you and I’ll be there soon - which was 10mins despite there being few others around.
This order was delivered incorrectly.
Whilst waiting after the food to pay a server advised a lady ‘don’t worry about putting on a face mask’.
This is totally down to the management employing uninterested and inexperienced staff who have obviously not given any training .
The place was practically empty by 730 on a Saturday evening which is probably telling in its self. Such a shame.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen P
Bedfordshire14 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
Looked lovely, had a drink outside, really nice. Thought we would go back for a meal. Couldnt book, they said just turn up find a table!!! Not ideal but we tried, waited for a table to come free, asked them to clear, all good. Basic Bar menu, ordered ok, starter all good, they came to clear 10 mins later, still eating starter, ask to give us 5 mins. 25 mins later they brought our mains, starter not cleared. Food was ok, wouldnt go back again, staff rude, no customer service skills at all. I know its hard to get good staff, at the mo its hard to get any staff, but come on it was out treat on holiday, ruined by rubbish staff. Dont waste your time or money, going there.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise W
Leeds36 contributions
Jun 2021 • couples
Personally, I would not recommend this pub for anything more than a drink. The food is Wetherspoons quality (at best) with gastro pub prices. The food is clearly frozen and thrown a fryer, don't quite understand that when there is such great local produce near by!
Also when paying, someone who I presume is the owner/manager, started barking orders at the staff in a unprofessional manner.
The pub had 2 redeeming features.
The first being its outside seating area that looks out over the beach.
The second being a member of the serving team the dealt with us professionally when we complained.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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