Okay, so I want to explain about the Castle Carvery Bowthorpe closure because there’s been a lot of misunderstanding around this. My neighbour really believed it was gone for good, which freaked me out because we regularly eat there for Sunday lunch with the kids.
And it looks like I worried for nothing. But I understand why people were confused.
The Day I Found Out
I drove by the Clocktower on Jarrold Way in March and saw these huge sheets up covering the windows. My first reaction was, “Oh no, another one is closing.” They are these days, you know. Many of them are pubs and restaurants that are struggling to break even. The high street’s not what it used to be.
So I just did what anyone would do. I googled it on my phone, sitting in the car park outside Sainsbury’s. Relief was immeasurable when I realised it was just refurbishment work. They were spending £600,000 on the place. That’s serious money, innit? Nobody is going to spend that on a place they’re intending to shut.
Why They Actually Closed
The owners, RedCat Independent Pubs, pretty much thought the place needed dragging into 2025. Fair enough, really. The last time I’d been there before the closure, the carpets were looking a bit tired, and the whole place felt like it needed a good update. Nothing terrible, just a bit dated.
They sought to introduce screens that customers could use to order. New kitchen equipment. Better seating. All that sort of stuff. You can’t be doing that while you’ve got 200 roast dinners on a Sunday, can you?
The Castle Carvery Bowthorpe closure happened sometime in early 2025. I’m kicking myself because I can’t remember the exact date they shut the doors. Should’ve written it down. But the refurbishment took a few months. There were builders in and out, skips outside, the lot.
When They Reopened
Friday, 20 June 2025. That’s when they opened again. I know because my wife has us in for Saturday lunch. She could hardly wait to see what they had done with the place.
Felt weird walking in at first. Everything looked different. Cleaner, brighter, more modern. Most of the old, dark wood had been removed. They’d opted for this lighter look and better lighting. I’m not an interior design expert, but it felt more welcoming somehow.
The biggest change? Those digital kiosks for ordering. There are like four or five at the entrance. Big touch screens: You tap what you want. Truth be told, I’m 42 and I found them dead easy to deal with. My dad probably wouldn’t, though. He still can’t work the self-checkout at Tesco.
What I Think About The New Setup
I loved the fact that the Castle Carvery menu was virtually identical. They have continued the three-meat roast. You can, of course, still opt for beef, turkey or gammon or mix them up. That’s what the kids love. Our youngest always wants a bit of everything.
But they have a few new things in there as well. There’s a vegan Wellington now, you know, which my sister was all chuffed about because she went plant-based last year. Never thought I’d see the day when a proper carvery did vegan options, but here we are. Times change.
Castle Carvery prices also haven’t gone mental either, which surprised me given all that investment. You can still buy a big roast for £12 to £14, depending on what you pick up. Not inexpensive per se, but show me somewhere else in town that you can have a proper Sunday roast with all-you-can-eat veg for that price? You can’t.
The kids’ Castle Carvery menu is still reasonable, too. Some £6 or £7 for a smaller portion. They eat loads, though, so we usually just get them adult meals now. More cost-effective when they’re actually going to finish it.
Sunday Roasts Are Back On
This is the big one. The Castle Carvery Bowthorpe closure on Sunday would’ve been a disaster for us. Sunday lunch is basically our routine. We go after the kids’ football, usually get there about 1 pm, and it’s rammed by then.
The carvery counter is much the same, really. You queue up, a white-coated server cuts you some meat, then you help yourself to vegetables. Roast potatoes are still actually crispy outside. Yorkshire puddings are massive. The gravy’s hot and plentiful. That’s all that matters, really.
The ordering system is now better, too: it means that you spend less time hanging around at the table. You order and pay at the kiosk and receive a number, then proceed directly to the carvery when it’s your turn. Drinks come to the table. It is also faster, which is beneficial when you have three hungry kids whinging.
The Stuff That Stayed The Same
They kept the good bits. The meat’s still decent quality. None of those cheap processed icky things. Proper joints are getting carved fresh. The veg selection, meanwhile, hasn’t moved on substantially. The dish includes carrots, peas, cauliflower cheese, stuffing, and parsnips. All the Sunday roast essentials.
Portion sizes are still generous. Actually, I’d say they’re massive. I always leave feeling absolutely stuffed. My wife thinks they just want you piling your plate up high to make it seem like you’re getting value for money. She’s probably right.
The vibe is still family-friendly, too. Loads of kids running about. Highchairs available. No one bats an eye when your toddler dumps peas on the floor. That kind of place.
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Was It Worth The Hassle?
Look, I’m glad they did it. The refurbishment was needed. Everything feels fresher now. All of which is to say that the toilets are much nicer, and it matters more than people acknowledge. No one wants to visit grotty bogs when they are out for lunch.
The digital ordering system I adapted to upon my first visit. Now I actually prefer it. You can literally see what you are ordering, customise stuff, and have no confusion on who ordered what. My wife always used to nick my onion rings. Can’t do that now since it’s all tracked on the screen.
Some of the regulars weren’t happy about the changes at first. I overheard a couple of older blokes moaning about the kiosks when we went. But they were still there eating their roasts, weren’t they? Can’t have been that bothered.
Final Thoughts
The closure thing was actually a good thing. They took a chance with the investment of £600k when many places are closing down for good. Shows they don’t plan on going anywhere. We need places like this in Bowthorpe. Not everywhere has to be fancy gastropubs charging £20 for a burger.
It’s still on Jarrold Way, still has plenty of parking, and still does what it says on the tin. Good carvery, decent prices, no fuss. Open from 11 am to 10pm every day, so you can go whenever suits you.
The Castle Carvery Bowthorpe closure is done and dusted now. They’re back, they’re better, and our Sunday routine is safe. That’s all I really cared about.