Great British Food Christmas 2024

Comewithus aswe explore delicious food anddrink, sumptuous stays andwindsweptwalks in this glorious region 72 HOURS IN. . . yourself in Holt and hankering for a hot drink and pastry to kick-start your day. If you’re slightly further towards the coast, check out Stiffkey Stores ( stiffkeystores. com ), located in the idyllic village of Stiffkey and just across the water from Blakeney nature reserve. Stock up on essentials and peruse their selection of beautiful gifts and homeware with a freshly made coffee. And while you’re in the area, be sure to visit Cley Smokehouse ( cleysmokehouse.com ) – this Norfolk institution is rightly famed for its stunning smoked fish and seafood, and just so happens to be located right next door to an art gallery where you can pick up crockery expertly made on-site ( madeincley.co.uk ). Speaking of delicious coastal food, no trip to North Norfolk would be complete without a visit to Eric’s Fish & Chips ( ericsfishandchips.com ), and thankfully there are a few locations to get your teeth stuck into. We arrived at the Holt site – located at the heart of this quaint market town – just in time for lunch, and the menu got our mouths watering immediately. Eric’s has mastered the art of simple seaside favourites and added tasty flair in the form of modern signature dishes such as black pudding fritters, halloumi and spinach arancini and cheese pea fritters. If you’re not stuffed to the rafters after all that feasting – or even if you are – do not leave without sampling the deep-fried jam sandwich. Just like the softest hot jam doughnut you can imagine, with a crispy exterior, it’s a signature must-try that Delia Smith is a huge fan of. The team at Eric’s is not only satisfying lovers of fish and chips with their culinary creations, but they’ve brought excellent wood fired pizzas to the region, too ( ericspizza.co.uk ) . We visited the Thornham site – located within a cosy yurt – and rolled out with our appetites well and truly satisfied. We loved the antipasti board – a combination of bread, cured meats, cheese and pickles (the pickled cherry tomatoes are a particular highlight) – and opted for the Chicken Caesar pizza, which offered the perfect balance of richness, creaminess and savoury tang. The North Norfolk coastline cannot be missed, and there are plenty of stunning beaches to enjoy, so pack your hamper with local goodies and head down to the shore. For an awe-inspiring coastal vista, you can’t beat Holkham beach ( holkham.co.uk ). The walk through ancient pine forests and ever-changing coastal meadows to the beach is one you’ll never forget, and if it’s chilly, wear your wellies as you’ll need to wade through salty streams to get to the sea! With its stunning coastal walks, delicious local fare and passionate foodie community, North Norfolk is a must-visit for food lovers in search of delicious R&R. It’s not for nothing that North Norfolk is renowned for being one of the best getaway locations the UK has to offer. With mile upon mile of breathtakingly beautiful coastline – and superb seafood playing a large role on menus across the area as a result – as well as unspoiled views of rolling hills and ancient woodland, it’s paradise for those looking for a calming escape from modern life. Coffee lovers – and those who appreciate great bakery – should visit Two Magpies ( twomagpiesbakery.co.uk ) in Holt. This independent chain of bakeries and cafes, and a cookery school, has locations across Norfolk and Suffolk and is a must-visit if you find North Norfolk ERIC'S PIZZA ERIC'S FISH & CHIPS STIFFKEY STORES TWO MAGPIES 113 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com NORFOLK