North Norfolk Autumn Cottage Break Is Foodies' Delight
Summer is almost at its end, and our summer holiday seems a long time ago and very far away. So why not plan an autumn or winter break in a beautiful cottage in North Norfolk?
If you haven't visited North Norfolk yet, you are in for a treat. It's a part of England where time seems to have stood still. Everyone has heard of the Norfolk Broads, and autumn is the perfect time to visit with few visitors around, but did you know that Norfolk is also a gourmet heaven?
Much of the soft fruit in England is grown in Norfolk, not to mention the best asparagus in the country, wonderful rare varieties of apples and fabulous vegetables including the rare cardoon. Garden and farm gate sales are the norm, with the produce being laid out and priced, and an honesty box left out for you to pay. It's that kind of place.
Being close to the sea, North Norfolk boasts some of the most delicious fish you can imagine. Plump mackerel, line caught cod (the very best kind) and of course kippers, locally smoked, can be found in every seaside town. Cromer crabs, with their sweet body meat and white claw meat, can be had for next to nothing, dressed or ready to prepare yourself, and Stiffkey (pronounced Stookey) blues are cockle the like of which you don't see outside of gourmet restaurants.
Organically raised lamb, pork, beef and poultry and wild game such as pheasant and hare are available at local butchers. North Norfolk pasture has been used for hundreds of years to fatten beef cattle brought down from other areas, and the unique flavour of much of England's best beef is due to grazing in Norfolk.
If you are looking for a wonderful place to stay in the heart of rural North Norfolk, look no further than The Old Forge, East Ruston, for groups from four to ten, and Ollands Farm Barn Cottage, for couples and threesomes.
