What we love about where we live
Gosh - we are so lucky - we are surrounded by an area of outstanding natural beauty with a breathtaking coastline and we have a huge array of restaurants and Inns for sustenance and endless hobbies and interests to pursue and all this is on our doorstep. Here are a few of our favourite things which we would love to recommend to our guests.
Things to do
bird-watching at cley, blakeney & titchwell, sailing at morston, brancaster & cley, amazing big deserted beaches at holkham and wells, cycling along the coast road and down undiscovered little lanes, all types of walking everywhere:rambling, climbing ,power walking, nordic walking, strolling and jogging over marshes, beaches, fields, lanes and big hills, eating and drinking lots, boat charter and organised seal trips at blakeney and morston, go to burnham market (known locally as chelsea-on-sea) and visit pentney house where you can gasp at the enormity of Gloria's hat emporium, pop into trendy Jack Wills shop, drop into Gun Hill clothing, view galleries, dream of buying a second home here and register with Sowerbys and Bedfords estate agents, do a spot of bidding at James Beck auctions on a thursday morning in fakenham or visit the colourful market stalls, ride on the steam railway, visit stately homes at blickling, felbrigg, sandringham, houghton and holkham, have a bet on the races at fakenham racecourse, rummage in antique shops and browse for secondhand books, have afternoon tea in splendour at Morston Hall or hot buttered crumpets in the Moorings at blakeney, visit the thursford collection of steam engines and view tanks at the muckleborough collection, enjoy outside concerts in the summer and classical recitals in churches in the winter, shop for designer clothes in holt, feed the ducks and swans at salthouse, negotiate the cobbled streets of norwich, take the dog for walks through mossy scented pine forests and collect cones, eat fish and chips from newspaper by the seashore, pick blackberries from hedgerows and make a crumble, buy a special bottle of wine and snooze by the fire, go beach-combing after high tide, sit in a deckchair and read a good book, stay in bed until late then go out for a scrummy lunch, enjoy bacon sandwiches and a cup of tea on the quay at blakeney, fly a kite, roll your trousers up and paddle in the sea.
Once you have done all these things we can recommend plenty more...
FOOD SHOPPING
We are so lucky to have so many beautifully fresh ingredients available to us on our doorstep - here is a list of our favourite places to buy food, you are on holiday so forget all about counting calories!
FISH & SEAFOOD
North Norfolk Fish Company Old Stable Yard Holt 01263 711913 'John the Fish' as he is known locally has the best selction of fresh fish - wonderful service and quality guaranteed. • Cley Smokehouse High Street Cley next the sea 01263 740282 www.cleysmokehouse.com Huge variety of smoked fish:bloaters, mackerel, kippers, smoked chicken, potted shrimps and a range of fish pates. • Willie Westons Fish Shop Westgate Street Blakeney 01263 741112 The best for beautifully dressed crabs and lobsters - also some tasty ready meals available.
DELICATESSENS
Blakeney Delicatessen 30 High Street Blakeney 01263 740939 Rob has a great selection of charcuterie, local vegetables, cheese and wine. The meringues are legendary and his home baked rosemary ham is truly succulent. • Larners/Bakers Market Place Holt 01263 712323 Award winning delicatessen with a huge selection of cheeses, charcuterie, divine chocolates, pastries and special puds! Excellent wine department and food hall is like a mini Fortnum and Mason. • Picnic Fayre The Old Forge Cley next the sea 01263 740587 www.picnic-fayre.co.uk Having recently celebrated 25years of business, this beautiful deli, owned by John & Vicky is hugely popular. Lavender bread, wonderful dips, taramasalata, really good cakes, tarts, jam, cheese, olives and wine. Coffees & ice cream to take away.
FARM SHOPS
Back to the Garden Brecks Farm Nr. Letheringsett 01263 715996 www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk Recently named best farm shop in Norfolk by the Telegraph, this establishment is wonderful and a regular haunt of mine! Organic meat, veg & fruit. Freshly baked bread and savoury pastries. Hot meal of the day to take home for supper and a little café to stop and have a cup of tea - well worth a visit. • Wiveton Hall Farm Between Cley & Blakeney on the A149 01263 740525 www.wivetonhall.co.uk Pick your own or buy the best strawberries and raspberries in the area. Home grown veg and home reared pork. Fantastic cafe on site - excellent for breakfast and luch and they also have tapas evenings. • Walsingham Farm Shop Guild Street Walsingham 01328 821877 www.walsinghamfarmshop.co.uk Amazing building with homemade chocolate shop located next door! Farm shop sells eggs, soups, bread, store cupboard ingredients, local meat, smoked fish and cakes.
SUPERMARKETS
WAITROSE & TESCO WILL DELIVER TO OUR POSTCODE
HOLT: Bakers & Larners
01263 712323 www.bakersandlarners.com
• Budgens. FAKENHAM:
Morrisons • Tesco. SWAFFHAM: Waitrose
BUTCHERS
Rutlands Melton Constable 01263 860562 www.rutland-butchers.co.uk In my opinion - the best of the best! The shop won Butcher of the Year in 2009. Family owned and run, quality produce and and genuine, friendly old fashioned service.
EATING OUT
Morston Hall Morston Nr. Blakeney 01263 741041 My absolute favourite! Outstanding cuisine and the only restaurant within 50 miles to hold 3 red rosettes and a Michelin star. Galton Blackiston and his wife Tracy run a wonderful business - the standard of food is impeccable and eating there is a real treat. Galton is a great Ambassador for all things Norfolk and his use of local ingredients results in a daily change of menu. Book ahead as the restaurant is very popular but this should definitely be on your 'to do' list. • Wiveton Bell Wiveton 01263 740101 Owned by experienced restaurateurs Berni and Sandy, this gorgeous pub serves great food to suit all tastes. We think the Sunday Roast here is sublime. Roaring log fire, beams, local ale, comprehensive wine list and most importantly - dog friendly!. • Kings Head Letheringsett 01263 712691 www.letheringsettkingshead.co.uk This hostelrie has recently been re-furbished to a very high standard and has a great atmosphere. Squashy sofas, cosy corners, private dining areas, great food and a childrens menu make this place a sure-fire hit. Just seven minutes drive from us makes this a popular haunt • The Moorings Blakeney 01263 740054 www.blakeney-moorings.co.uk Richard and Angela run a very professional but super friendly restaurant. Food is excellent with a really tasty & creative menu. • The Victoria at Holkham 01328 711008 Hip Pub/Restaurant styled in a Moorish/Moroccan theme Great location close to stunning Holkham Beach. Varied menu offers game from the Holkham Estate and fresh local ingredients. • The Walpole Arms at Itteringham 01263 587258 18th Century pub with beams and log fire. Multi award winning food and drink in a picturesque location the other side of Holt. Must be visited - the deep fried parsnips with mustard dip are just amazing! • The White Horse Blakeney 01263 740574 Excellent pub/hotel with inviting bar, restaurant and big conservatory. Good wholesome food, perfect after a long walk on the marshes. Chowder, mussels, local fish & meat and a good vegetarian selection. Child friendly. • Byfords Cafe, Wine Bar & Deli Holt 01263 711400 Lunches, teas and dinner served in informal cosy setting. Beams and quirky character features. Friendly service. Really good seafood pizza! • Number 10 Restaurant 10 Augusta Street Sheringham 01263 824400 www.no10sheringham.com Good, honest yummy food. Inventive menu with a twist. • The Norfolk Riddle Little Walsingham 01328 821903 Fantastic fish and chips - eat in or take away. Plat du jour lunch menu starts at £8.50 for two courses. Part of the Walsingham Farm Shops Partnership. Daily changing menu, seafood meat & vegetarian.
The Passion of Flowers Rita Levitt the owner of this beautiful floristry business in Holt always has a stunning array of fresh flowers and she is happy to deliver bouquets to us at White Horse Farm for special occasions - speak to us to arrange this service. Visit: passion-of-flowers.co.uk