The Gin Trap Inn

The Gin Trap Inn

A Ringstead inn with individually styled rooms and cottages, a lively pub atmosphere and seasonal cooking that gives a North Norfolk break a clear dinner destination.

At a glance

• Location: Ringstead
• Main restaurant: The Gin Trap Inn Restaurant
• Bedrooms / accommodation units: 16

Why we like it

The Gin Trap is appealing for guests who want a coastal-area escape with a sociable pub evening at its centre. Ringstead provides a village setting near the North Norfolk coast, while the bedrooms and cottages allow different kinds of stay. It suits couples who enjoy atmosphere, seasonal food and a drink before dinner, as well as parties needing the extra independence of a cottage. The accommodation's minimum-stay rules are important: cottages have a two-night requirement, and Friday and Saturday bedroom or suite nights are currently booked together. Plan around those terms rather than assuming every price comparison represents an available one-night weekend stay.

Eat

The Gin Trap Inn Restaurant

The current summer menu gives the kitchen a strong coastal and regional thread. Cromer crab on toast with apple and crème fraîche is one example, while sea bass with brown butter, shrimp, cockles and samphire connects the main course to the coast. Smoked haddock with nori and chicken Kiev with a creamy mushroom element show a broader approach. Vegetarian choices sit alongside these dishes, so a mixed table can plan a proper dinner rather than rely on a single incidental option. Sample menus change, and a particular fish or accompaniment should not be assumed for every date.

The pub and Sunday

The pub setting makes dinner feel sociable rather than ceremonious, with the bar providing a natural start or finish to the evening. Sticky-toffee pudding on the sample menu gives the meal a familiar, comforting conclusion. Sunday has a separate menu and timetable, so ask about the final dinner sitting when arranging a Sunday stay; different published pages show different end times. The useful distinction is between a longer restaurant evening and a more casual pub visit, not between a stay that values food and one that ignores it. Both can work here if the booking fits the desired pace.

Sleep

The accommodation includes individual bedrooms, suites and cottages. A cottage is a different proposition from a room above or beside the pub, with additional living and self-catering space making it useful for a longer visit. The former brewery cottage is an example of that more independent approach. Dog-friendly accommodation is identified separately, and some bedroom categories are dog-free, so notify the team when choosing the room. For a couple, compare the room's actual space and setting; for a small party, a cottage may make the downtime between meals more comfortable. The pub's atmosphere is part of the appeal, so discuss room position if quiet sleep is a priority.

Retreat

Ringstead makes a village base for a North Norfolk visit, with the coast providing a separate daytime outing. Choose the route and activity around the weather rather than treating every beach or walk as interchangeable. A two-night stay can give the first day to the coast and keep the second more flexible, leaving time to return for dinner. That pace also fits the inn's current weekend booking pattern. There is no requirement to visit a string of destinations to justify the break: one outdoor plan, a comfortable room and a pub evening are enough to make the stay coherent.

What guests say

Google rating: 4.6/5 from 1,239 reviews, checked 6 October 2026. Food, staff, breakfast and the lively pub atmosphere are repeated strengths, with many guests enjoying the combination of an inn stay and a coastal-area outing. Dog-friendly visits also feature positively. Dining and service are not without criticism, but positive experiences substantially outweigh them in the recurring themes. It particularly suits guests who enjoy a sociable pub setting and choose the room or cottage, pet policy and minimum-stay pattern to fit their plans.

The Gourmet Getaway

The indicative price panel combines accommodation and breakfast for two with dinner for two. Read the menu basis and eligible service days for the selected option, then confirm both reservations for your dates. Drinks, dish supplements and service are additional. Official hotel packages have their own inclusions and terms.

Worth knowing

• Cottages currently have a two-night minimum; Friday and Saturday nights in bedrooms and suites are booked together.
• Dog-friendly categories must be selected specifically; some rooms are dog-free.
• Confirm Sunday's final food reservation time directly because published pages differ.
• The seasonal menu is a sample and changes with availability.

The Gourmet Getaways view

A strong fit for guests who want North Norfolk food and coast with a lively inn to return to. The menu's regional detail and the choice between room and cottage are the most useful reasons to choose it; minimum-stay terms deserve an early check.