Our History
Discover over 200 years of Hare hospitality, from the pub’s beginnings during the Napoleonic era to the generations of landlords, local traditions and stories that have shaped The Hare Arms today.
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Two Hundred Years of Hare Hospitality
The Hare Arms has been part of village life for around 200 years. From its beginnings during the Napoleonic era to generations of landlords, local celebrations and community traditions, the pub has a rich history that continues to shape the warm welcome visitors receive today.
Over the years, The Hare Arms has witnessed coronations, jubilees, wartime celebrations and countless everyday gatherings, while remaining closely connected to the Hare family and the wider Stow Bardolph community.
The Bar
At the heart of The Hare Arms is a traditional pub atmosphere, with well-kept ales, your favourite drinks and a warm welcome waiting at the bar.
The Restaurant
Our restaurant brings together comforting pub classics, seasonal dishes and quality ingredients for relaxed lunches, evening meals and everything in between.
The Gardens
Our gardens offer the perfect spot to unwind, whether you are meeting friends for drinks, enjoying outdoor dining or simply making the most of a sunny day.
- OUR STORY THROUGH THE YEARS
From Napoleonic Beginnings to Today
The story of The Hare Arms is closely tied to the Hare family, who have lived at Stow Hall for generations. Their connection with the area dates back to 1553, when Sir Nicholas Hare acquired the freedom of the Hundred of Clackclose. The building itself was erected during the Napoleonic Wars and later became an inn after Captain Thomas Hare offered it to three soldiers.
Over the generations, The Hare Arms became a natural meeting place for Stow Bardolph. Wartime victories, coronations and jubilees were celebrated here, while rural sports, entertainment and village cricket all formed part of pub life. Landlady Emma Sayles, who ran the inn from 1878 to 1934, famously organised Jubilee celebrations for 1,380 guests, complete with substantial dinners and tea brewed using the boiler of a steam roller…
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The pub still carries reminders of those who shaped its story. Emma’s husband, Harry Sayles, scratched his name into one of the bar windows, where it can still be seen today. Much later, David and Trish McManus became the familiar faces behind the bar, running The Hare Arms for 40 years from 1976 until their retirement in 2016.
During the 1970s, The Hare was a busy coach stop on the main route towards King’s Lynn and the North Norfolk Coast. The arrival of the A10 bypass brought a quieter, more secluded setting, but the pub’s role at the heart of the community remained unchanged. Pat and Debs Palmer, who first met while working behind the bar in 1987, returned to take over the lease in 2016 and continue more than two centuries of Hare hospitality today.
- JOIN US AT THE HARE ARMS
Good Food, Great Drinks & A Warm Welcome
Whether you’re planning lunch, dinner or simply popping in for a drink, make yourself at home at The Hare Arms. Book your table and enjoy proper pub food, local ales and relaxed country hospitality.