Great British Food Christmas 2024

Step inside to low ceilings complete with cosy beams, rooms painted in rich jewel colours and unique art and furnishings completing the scene of boutique cosiness. The bar is at the heart of the building and offers an array of carefully chosen beverages from around the area and beyond. Showcasing the art of local brewers, vineyards and distilleries – and with a ‘Made at the Mill’ range of drinks created on-site using local ingredients – it’s a great place to while away a few hours with loved ones while enjoying a delicious tipple or two. The garden area is a must-see at any time of year. We recommend choosing a seat next to the River Wensum for optimum idyll points, but be cautious if you have children in tow as the drop is steep! There’s plenty to explore here; wander through the lawn area, which features a giant Jenga game for all the family to enjoy, to the fragrant flower beds and fire pit, and venture over the small-scale bridge (positioned over another branch of the River Wensum) to the secret garden on the other side. Sculthorpe Mill’s carefully curated menu is a vision of culinary skill and seasonal flair. The Guinness soda bread, which came with brown butter and smoked salt, was a delicious take on a classic snack to enjoy with our drinks, and brilliantly paved the way for what was to come. For our starter, we opted for potted pork belly with apple ketchup, Granny Smith apple and sourdough toast – a flavour-packed dish which delivered a hit of sharpness to cut through the rich and salty meat, and the ever-tasty combination of soft and crunchy. Next, we went for local silver mullet, shellfish stew, saffron potatoes and brown crab meat aioli; an unctuous combination of warming flavours which perfectly celebrated the area’s excellent seafood. To finish, we indulged in the 70% chocolate mousse with olive oil, tonka bean and sea salt, which in total honesty was the best chocolate mousse this reviewer has ever tasted. Rich and unctuous, moreish and expertly salted for depth of flavour, do not leave without sampling this. With your appetite well and truly sated by Norfolk’s superb produce and the exemplary skills of executive chef Elliott Ketley, head upstairs to your comfortable and stylishly- appointed bedroom with stunning views of the river. Sumptuous menus and interiors and an unbeatable rural setting make Sculthorpe Mill a must-visit foodie destination well worth travelling for. Sculthorpe Mill is located near Fakenham in North Norfolk. For more details visit sculthorpemill.uk Sculthorpe Mill, Fakenham STEP INSIDE THIS HISTORIC WATERMILL FOR AN AUTHENTIC TASTE OF NORTH NORFOLK. COSY, STYLISH AND AWARD-WINNING, IT’S THE PERFECT BOLTHOLE FOR A RURAL GETAWAY It’s not easy for an establishment to offer all things to all people, but this is something that Sculthorpe Mill – located near Fakenham, North Norfolk – does with aplomb. This centuries-old water mill, originally built in 1757, is a picturesque setting for stunning food that brilliantly celebrates its local area. A relaxing drive along country roads takes you to Sculthorpe Mill, which will instantly envelop you in a state of calm. Set away from the road and boasting an idyllic pond and pretty seating area from which to enjoy the view, the frontage of the mill is picture- perfect and the optimum stop-off point for walkers. Speaking of which, the team gives muddy dogs (and their owners!) a warm welcome from breakfast until dinner, so you can be sure of a calm and cosy experience whatever the time of day. 115 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com NORFOLK