Norfolk

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Norfolk is a fabulous destination for foodies. From organic vegetables and tasty turkeys, to strong cheeses and home-brewed beers from the counties very own micro-breweries, you can really taste the difference.

For a seafood smorgasbord, head to the North Norfolk Coast - try oysters grown in the saltmarsh creeks at Thornham (nr. Hunstanton), Stiffkey's rich and meaty cockles, or kippers traditionally smoked over oak sawdust from Cley's Smokehouse in Cley-next-the-Sea. The famous crabs of Cromer are succulent and fleshy - regarded as the best in the country. Head to Cookies at nearby Salthouse, where you can tuck into a crab salad whilst overlooking the coastal marshes. In the summer, you can also pick ‘the asparagus of the sea' - the samphire.

Herrings have been fished offshore at Great Yarmouth since Norman
times - and in the late 19th/early 20th C. around 1,000 steam drifters worked from the port. Smoking of the fish created kippers (spilt open and smoked) and bloaters (smoked whole). Visit the Time and Tide Museum housed in a converted herring curing works. The town is also home of the world's largest rock shop - Docwras, where you can watch this sugary treat being made.

Heading inland, Norfolk is well-known for turkeys - with famous firm Bernard Matthews established in 1950. Look out for the small black-plumed variety, which has been reared in the county for generations. In the 18th C. huge flocks of turkeys (up to 500 at a time) were marched to London on foot to reach the Christmas markets (their feet coated with tar for protection). At Narborough Trout and Coarse Lakes (nr. King's Lynn), the fish are grown in raceways where they develop fine lush flesh. Smoked in a kiln - pick up some of the delicious pate made with a secret mix of herbs. 

Other tasty meats can be enjoyed from the Earl of Leicester's estate at Holkham Hall (nr. Wells-next-the-Sea), including vension and wild game. Serve with some Colman's Mustard - this famous producer based in the historic city of Norwich. It was in 1814 that Jeremiah Colman first started milling mustard. Visit their shop in the Royal Arcade which sells prepared and powered varieties. Norwich is also home to the hand-cooked Kettle Chips and the fine chocolate of Caley's - relax in their Cocoa Cafe.

Cheese lovers will enjoy the soft veined ‘Binham Blue' from Mrs Temples (nr. Wells-next-the-Sea) - made from the milk of her own cows. Whilst Poppyalot Farm Dairy at Feltwell (nr. Thetford) produces award-winning ewes' milk cheeses, such as the brie-style 'Norfolk White Lady'. Pick up some freshly baked loaves to accompany this feast at Denver Windmill
(nr. Downham Market), where wheat is stoneground to create flour.  

Farm shops are dotted throughout the county, selling locally grown seasonal produce - such as Back to the Garden at Letheringsett (nr. Holt); Elveden Estate (nr. Thetford); Goodies at Pulham Market; Grovelands at Roughton (nr. Cromer) and Holt; Knights Hill at King's Lynn; Sycamore at Hempnall (nr. Norwich); and Walsingham Farms in Little Walsingham. Whilst Picnic Fayre
at Cley-next-the-Sea offers an Aladdin's cave of speciality food and drink. For a real treat, the food hall at Bakers and Larners in Holt is known as East Anglia's answer to Fortnum and Mason.

Wash it all down with a pint of local beer - visit the micro-brewery at Iceni in Ickburgh (nr. Thetford) for a walk in the hop garden and a taste of 'Boadicea Chariot Ale'. Woodfordes at Woodbastwick (nr. Wroxham) produced their first brew in 1981 - and just 15 years later, the 'Wherry Bitter' was awarded CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain. Explore The Real Ale Shop at Branthill Farm (nr. Wells-next-the-Sea), where you can purchase many local beers made using the barley grown here. Cider was once the main country drink, the tradition continuing today at Whin Hill Cider in Wells-next-the-Sea.

For something a bit different, take a tour of The English Whisky Company at Roudham (nr. Thetford) - England's first and only registered whisky distilling company. Try their 'Norfolk Nog' - a blend of malt spirit, cream and honey.

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www.visitnorfolk.co.uk