One of the many joys of having you own UK holiday home is getting to know the area around it. And that certainly includes getting to know the regional food. There’s probably never been a better time to discover superb local produce.
More and more businesses are specialising in bringing traditional ideas and recipes to market. Artisan bakers, butchers and grocers are preserving the best of old ideas whilst providing food that meets today’s demands.
Buy local and eat well. Yes, it’s your holiday. But great food, lovingly prepared, is all part of the experience. You can even do so at a variety of restaurants at our holiday parks, from Lincolnshire to Norfolk and Suffolk. A restaurant just a stones throw from your holiday home? Doesn’t that sound superb.
Barn 1 - Caldecott Hall Country Park
Waveney River Centre and Caldecott Hall Country Park - both beautifully placed for Norfolk’s treats
With your own holiday home in Norfolk you’re in unspoiled landscapes but you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to food.
Norfolk is proud of its sausages - the meat is some of the best in the world. And of course there are crabs, Cromer crabs to be exact. With all due respect to Yorkshire, it is the Cromer crab that is world famous. Delia loves them and Stephen Fry loves them. They’re sweet and they have more white meat than dark meat. They’re very special.
There’s also samphire, and cheeses, fish and oysters from Brancaster. Norfolk is like a giant larder, so always look out for the plethora of farm shops. It’s a great way of buying very fresh and genuinely local food.
Waveney Inn - Waveney River Centre
The Waveney Inn is a family friendly pub tucked away in a hidden haven that is Waveney River Centre. The contemporary British pub offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pub is in the ideal location offering stunning views of the Broads.
Barn 1 - Caldecott Hall
Barn 1 is a family run restaurant situated on the premises at Caldecott Hall Country Park. The barn is open to all, dogs included (on leads please). They regularly hosts events such as the upcoming Xmas Party nights taking place throughout the whole of December.
Broadlands Park & Marina - just look at Lowestoft and beyond
The Suffolk coast is a great example of where the modern and traditional meet. There are so many producers of local foods in this area that your best plan of action is the internet. Search the Suffolk Coast online resources and you’ll discover dozens of places to eat and drink, and where to buy food.
From Southwold to Aldeburgh, from Dunwich to Lowestoft there is so much to choose from. The area is justly famous for a wide array of food - including pork, fish, shellfish, cheese, fruit, vegetables and specialist bread. Make an evening meal, pack a lunch or take a picnic. Fabulous food and freedom. It’s what having a holiday home is all about.
Coast Bar & Restaurant - Waterside Park
Coast Bar & Restaurant is a family run business located on the cliff tops at Waterside Park, overlooking Corton Beach. Perfect for a day out with the family in a relaxing environment, a children’s play area & arcade are also in proximity.
MOSS & CO BROADLANDS - Broadlands Park
Moss & Co Broadlands is Broadlands Park & Marina’s ideal place to chill out with views overlooking the Broads - the perfect place to relax and enjoy yourself with family and friends.
Cedar Bar & Restaurant - Mablethorpe Park
Mablethorpe Chalet Park - a great place to sample Lincolnshire’s finest
Just like Norfolk, Lincolnshire is famous for its sausages - it’s all about the sage. Coarsely chopped pork mixed with sage is what makes a Lincolnshire sausage different. You can find them everywhere of course but when you’re in Lincolnshire itself look out for proper local ones.
As a county, Lincolnshire has other regional specialties. Look out for Plumbread, a sort of cake and a sort of loaf. It’s got currants in it, raisins and sultanas. Although oddly it does not have plums in it. People often eat it with a chunk of Lincolnshire Poacher cheese.
And on the subject of cheese you’ll find Yellowbelly in Lincolnshire. Matured in yellow wax it’s very moist and tangy.
Cedar Bar and Restaurant - Mablethorpe Holiday Park
Cedars Restaurant & Bar is a fun, family friendly venue on Tingdene’s Mablethorpe Chalet Park. It’s perfect for the local residents on the park to head off for a pint or two and rated 4.7 from hundreds of reviews.
Tingdene South Shore - just fabulous for food
For starters (that could be a pun) you have to think crab. At South Shore you’re in Bridlinhton, which is the heart of the Yorkshire crab world and the “Lobster Capital of Europe"“. You’ll find cafes and restaurants that specialise in this local seafood. If you want to take some back to your holiday home, the great news is that it’s at its best when it’s cooked very simply. Local fishermen and fishmongers will be happy to give you advice and ideas.
This part of East Yorkshire is packed with specialist shops. Food festivals, bakeries, butchers - they’re all providing the very best in locally produced food and drink. Explore.
Redcar Beach - yet more food from Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is no less blessed with fabulous food. From Saltburn to Scarborough, you’ll find food of all sorts. North Yorkshire is renowned for its Asparagus. It’s very seasonal of course, but with your own holiday home you can savour the location, and its foodstuffs, when it suits you.
There’s quite a list of foodie delights from North Yorkshire in fact. Forced rhubarb, smoked fish, Yorkshire curd tart - they’re all delights to dine on.
That whistle stop tour of the country and its delights is of course just a glimpse of what’s out there. The more you look the more you’ll find. And it’s all such a great part of the UK holiday home experience.
Buy local produce and make a meal of it - in your holiday home. It’s not about slaving away for hours in the kitchen (unless that’s what you like to do), it's about making the most of your time at your holiday home. Have a look for meal ideas and think about recipes from interesting sources. It’s not like you have to drag piles of cookery books around with you is it? Check out the websites and foodie blogs. These places have great ideas. Places like Good Housekeeping and BBC Good Food. There are loads of simple but really lovely recipes there and lots of tips and advice.
Remember - buying locally gets you involved in the area, it helps the local economy and it’s green. You’re buying food that’s not clocked up air miles. But then you won’t be clocking up air miles either will you? Because you’ll be in your own UK holiday home.
Fun, financial sense and fine foods - your UK holiday home ticks a lot of boxes. Doesn’t it?
