The owner of an award-winning gastropub on the outskirts of Norwich looks back on a colourful 40 years in business.

Back in 1983, the space shuttle Challenger was launched for the first time and Every Breath You Take by The Police was being played everywhere.

It was also the year that the Wimmer family took over The Kings Head in Bawburgh, which initially started as a sports club boasting four squash courts and a bowling green.

Eastern Daily Press: The Kings Head in 1977, just before the Wimmer family took it on The Kings Head in 1977, just before the Wimmer family took it on (Image: Newsquest)

It had the Deeds and Hunts bars and a snug area above it with a pool table, with classic pub grub served. 

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Pamela and Tony Wimmer greeted punters back then, with their son Anton taking over the baton in his early 20s.

Eastern Daily Press: Anton Wimmer runs The Kings Head in Bawburgh, which is an award-winning gastropub today Anton Wimmer runs The Kings Head in Bawburgh, which is an award-winning gastropub today (Image: Newsquest)

During the eighties, the snug was replaced with the Wattle and Daub boutique restaurant and the storm of 1987 saw lighting strike the pub and the chimney exploded. 

The beef crisis of 1992 meant that ostrich, alligator, kangaroo and occasionally locusts became prominent on the menu.

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Eastern Daily Press: The King's Head in Bawburgh still retains many of its old features today The King's Head in Bawburgh still retains many of its old features today (Image: Newsquest)

The A47 was finally finished in 1992, but the construction almost caused the pub's demise with two of the main roads into the village closed.

Throughout the early 2000s, it transitioned into fine dining and it was first awarded two AA rosettes for culinary excellence in 2014. 

Eastern Daily Press: The Kings Head transitioned into a gastropub in the early 2000sThe Kings Head transitioned into a gastropub in the early 2000s (Image: James Randle)

Then in 2015, six luxury bed and breakfast rooms were built above the gastropub.

It was relatively plain sailing from then until Covid, but the team remained strong during the pandemic and opened an alfresco dining area. 

Eastern Daily Press: How The Kings Head in Bawburgh used to lookHow The Kings Head in Bawburgh used to look (Image: The Kings Head)

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Anton Wimmer said: "40 years have passed and I am filled with pride at what has been achieved throughout the years with my family.

Eastern Daily Press: Anton Wimmer took over the running of the pub from his parents in his early 20sAnton Wimmer took over the running of the pub from his parents in his early 20s (Image: The Kings Head)

"I have so many incredible memories of years gone by, the wonderful times with friends and colleagues, fun events and celebrations too.

"Most importantly we’re looking forward to many more years ahead.”

Upcoming events include a bank holiday barbecue on May 8, Seaside Spectacular on July 16, Beer Festival from August 26 to 28 and The Big Quiz on October 15.