An Inspector Calls at The Pig Shed Motel in Norfolk


An Inspector Calls at The Pig Shed Motel in Norfolk and immediately loves his room, which is twice the size he expected

  • The Pig Shed Motel is located on the A1065 between Swaffham and Fakenham 
  • There are 10 rooms inside two single-storey, wooden, shed-style buildings
  • Hot water is supplied by solar power and rainwater provides water for the loos 

We’ve never quite cottoned on to motels here like they have in the United States, where the first one opened in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1925, charging $1.25 a night.

There was, of course, a fictional one in the UK, Crossroads, which entertained the nation from 1964 to 1988, and earlier this year the Soho House group launched Mollie’s, on the A420 between Swindon and Oxford.

This motel, on the A1065 between Swaffham and Fakenham in Norfolk, is called The Pig Shed and has nothing to do with the successful Pig group of hotels.

The Pig Shed Motel is located on the A1065 between Swaffham and Fakenham. There are 10 rooms inside two single-storey, wooden, shed-style buildings

The Inspectors says he immediately loves his room, which is twice the size he expected

The Inspectors says he immediately loves his room, which is twice the size he expected 

I’m quoted £75 for a double and, for whatever reason, fear the worst. There are ten rooms in two single-storey, wooden, shed-style buildings directly behind the George & Dragon pub.

The motel and the pub are run separately, but you pick up your key from the boozer. No breakfast is available, although on booking I am told the local Waitrose has a cafe. Can’t wait.

We’ve had dinner nearby at Strattons in Swaffham, arriving at the pub around 9.30pm. If we had known how inviting the George & Dragon is, with its open fires and reasonable prices (£13 for posh fish and chips), we would have eaten here.

A group of shooters in plus-fours are getting stuck in, their faces almost as florid as the claret in their glasses. We sneak in a couple of nightcaps before picking up the key and heading across the car park to room No 2.

Immediately we love it — twice the size we expected, with bleached wood walls, a tall, upholstered headboard, huge bed with sumptuous duvet and pillows, underfloor heating, Nespresso machine and mini-fridge.

Hot water for the motel, pictured, is supplied by solar power and a rainwater recovery system provides water for the loos

Hot water for the motel, pictured, is supplied by solar power and a rainwater recovery system provides water for the loos

Nothing is on the walls except a large charcoal drawing of a pig by local artist Lucy Boydell, a graduate of Central Saint Martins School of Art.

Hot water is supplied by solar power and a rainwater recovery system provides water for the loos.

Our window — as they all do — faces to the back, so there is hardly any noise from passing traffic. Each room has its own allotted parking space.

The bumf tells us that check-out is at 10am and our key will no longer work after that time. We leave well before 10am (but steer clear of the Waitrose cafe) and think The Pig Shed offers great value. It’s just a pity the pub can’t be persuaded to do breakfast.

TRAVEL FACTS 

Pig Shed Motel, Swaffham Road, Newton by Castle Acre, Norfolk, PE32 2BX. 

Doubles from £75 (room only). Visit thepigshedmotel.co.uk or call 01760 300037. 

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