retiredmartin

February 2026. Downham Market.

When mum was coming towards the end of her life just over a year ago I was virtually living in Waterbeach.

The only thing keeping me sane were a few short rail trips once mum was in bed, exciting places like Littleport and Downham Market.

As the sun set, I returned to Downham last week,

ignoring the lure of red skies over Ely.

Look, Down (as the kidz call it), is not a tourist honeypot,

but they’ve made the best of it, and I suspect the newish Spoons has increased the appeal to young folk priced out of Ely.

It’s still severely under-pubbed. Last year just two (2) options; Spoons and locals boozer, with the Crown Hotel (the twitchers choice) having its annual January holiday.

I reckoned the Crown needed a revisit; it’s a heritage pub, and a real oddity.

Smart hotel, loads of timber,

basic locals bar.

which was packed and buzzing at 6 o’clock on Wednesday.

They could have had their beer for half the price at the Whalebone next door, but folk don’t go to the pub to drink beer, they go to chat, and idle, and relax by the ancient fireplace.

Worth the premium on a spectacularly chewy Abbot (NBSS 4+) just to smell that fire I reckon, but the qualities of the Crown are largely intangible.

All human life is here, even an American.

I just wish my camera had been up to the job.