The Brecks Food Trail - thedms

The Brecks 

Food Trail 

see food eat food meet the producer 

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Food Trails 

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Diverse Drinks 

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Poultry and Eggs 

This publication was supported by the Rural Development 

Programme for England (RDPE) delivered through the Brecks 

Local Action Group. The RDPE is funded by Defra and the 

EU. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 

(EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas.




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The Brecks Food Story 

The Brecks is a nationally recognised landscape 

covering almost 400 sq miles stretching across the 

counties of Norfolk and Suffolk comprising open 

heaths, forestry, farmland and rivers with a varied 

natural, built and cultural history reaching back to 

Neolithic times and beyond. This cherished 

landscape has been shaped by how man has 

interacted with the natural surroundings to 

produce food and shelter for thousands of years. 

Today 

The Brecks is one of the richest areas of the 

country for wildlife with over 12500 species 

and many occurring nowhere else in the 

country. Many species are dependent on the 

wildlife friendly farming practices in the Brecks 

to survive. 

The Brecks is also one of the largest areas in the 

country for root crops such as onions and carrots 

and we celebrate the importance of farming in 

the rural economy and its contribution to the 

landscape and wildlife. As a society many have 

lost the connection between their food and the 

countryside around them that produces that food. 

The annual Brecks Food & Drink Festival aims to 

re-connect us to the Brecks food offering. 

The Brecks Food & Drink Festival 

The Brecks Food and Drink festival is part of the 

month-long Festival of Norfolk food and drink 

during September celebrating the wonderful 

local food, farming and countryside of the Brecks 

staged by those that live and work within the 

area. It includes the involvement of local schools 

to have fun while educating children on how 

important local produce is to rural areas thereby 

influencing the guardians of tomorrow’s 

countryside. 

By celebrating local food and drink the Festival 

hopes to reconnect people with their 

surroundings; to show how what they choose 

to buy can have a positive impact upon the 

countryside and the local economy. It also offers 

demonstrations by local chefs and producers to 

develop the skills necessary to make best use of 

local produce, to help keep food bills down and 

to show what’s available. Most importantly it 

tastes great! 

Buying Local 

Think Brecks and you shouldn’t just conjure up 

its stunning countryside of heath, forest and 

farmland, but also you should appreciate the 

sheer pleasure of its high quality food and drink 

offering that comes from that diverse landscape 

larder. The Brecks has green pastures, arable land, 

forestry and river ways that provide the origins for 

an amazing range of wonderful foods - fresh fish, 

meats from traditional breeds of livestock such as 

Redpoll cattle and Norfolk Horn sheep, and most 

significantly, its bountiful game. 

Enjoy the wide range of distinctive dairy products 

- cheeses from local milk, cream, yogurts and 

ice-cream. Make your choice from local drinks - 

ales, cider, special fruit juices and wines and even 

english whisky. 

There are many producers, who inspired by local 

ingredients, have set up successful businesses 

making wonderful pies and pastries, cakes, fudge, 

drinks, jams, chutneys and chilli products as 

well as a splendid array of fruit and vegetables 

packed with fresh natural flavour. You’ll find these 

delicious local products widely available through 

well-stocked farm shops, farmers’ markets and 

local specialist shops in the towns and villages. 

Many restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and pubs all boast 

of the high quality of their food – and it’s all local.




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“Using Brecks-grown ingredients, we can offer 

maximum flavour and freshness in the most 

environmentally considerate way.” 

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Clockwise from top left: Mary Kemp, chef and food writer for the EDP, 

Vanessa Scott, owner and chef at Strattons Hotel, Peter McBurnie, head chef at Elveden, 

Paul Foster, head chef at Tuddenham Mill, Tim Kinnaird, Masterchef winner and owner of Macarons & More, 

Pop-up Chefs Matthew Owsley-Brown & Sam Bryant at the Brecks Food Festival 2011, 

Sam Bryant, head chef at Strattons Hotel.




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Northern Brecks ‘Apple trail’ 

A great time to do this trail is in the late 

summer when the season’s orchard fruits 

have been harvested even better come 

during the third weekend in September 

and enjoy the Brecks Food Festival. 

Start in Swaffham where the museum and parish 

church offer the story and legacy of wealthy 

merchant John Chapman, the Pedlar of Swaffham. 

www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk 

www.achurchnearyou.com/ 

swaffham-st-peter-st-paul 

www.brecks.org 

Orchard treasures in Swaffham; 

the Pedlar of Swaffham 

John Chapman, a wealthy local merchant was a 

benefactor to the magnificent church of St Peter 

& St Paul, when it was rebuilt in 1460. Folklore 

records that he was a lowly pedlar who dreamed 

three times that he would receive joyful news if he 

waited on London Bridge which he duly did and 

on the third day a shopkeeper who had noticed 

him waiting asked him what he was doing. The 

pedlar told him his story and the trader laughed 

at the notion of following dreams. ‘I’ll tell you 

country fellow, I dreamed only last night that I was 

in Swaffham, a place I don’t know, and thought 

I’d find a vast treasure in an orchard under an oak 

tree behind a pedlars house.” 

John went straight home, dug in his orchard, 

found the treasure and in gratitude to God paid 

for the church to be repaired and for a statue of 

himself placed there. 

Today you can see the result of a partnership 

approach to enriching the current town, 

making use of redundant railway land arising 

from Dr. Beeching’s cuts following his early 

1960s report “The Reshaping of British Railways” 

which led to far-reaching changes and just over 

4,000 route miles that were cut on cost and 

efficiency grounds. 

Swaefas Swale 

Community Orchard, Swaffham 

Visit the orchard and see the amazing 

achievement by local volunteers in creating an 

orchard for the community to share. The Swaefas 

Swale Community Orchard in Swaffham is a 

CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) 

awarded project in acknowledgement of 

restoration, landscape, education and new build 

projects which contribute to the diversity of 

the countryside, in line with the charity’s aims. 

The Swaefas Swale community has transformed 

redundant railway land near the Orford Road 

recreation field in Swaffham with the help of more 

than 100 volunteers. Some 200 trees, mainly 

growing apples, have been planted and there are 

plans to restore and rebuild the old railway signal 

box for use as a site office as well as install a zip 

wire on the site for adults and children. The idea 

was originally thought up in October 2009 by 

former Swaffham resident Georgie Keddie, then 

aged 6, Mark Keddie, her father, is chairman of 

the Swaefas’ Swale Community Orchard committee. 

Work started on the orchard a year later and 

the ultimate aim is for 2,000 trees to be planted in 

the orchard, as well as around the town linked by 

footpaths. 

Contact: Mark Keddie 07919492241 

Email: SwaefasSwale@hotmail.co.uk 

EcoTech Centre 

The EcoTech centre, on the northern outskirts of 

Swaffham, has a heritage apple orchard within 

its organic gardens planted with over 40 varieties 

of Norfolk apples which you can visit. Take a trip 

up the EcoTricity turbine where on a clear day 

you can see as far as Ely cathedral. The orchard 

is stunning in May when the trees are in blossom 

underplanted with wild flowers. 

www.ecotech.org.uk 

Swaffham Town 

In the market town of Swaffham you can track 

down local apple produce pressed into fruits and 

juices. Starlings is a traditional greengrocer and 

fruiterer selling a wide range of local vegetables, 

fruits and juice from Ashill Fruit Farm. 

Ashill fruit juice is also served at the 

Market Cross cafe, CoCoes at Strattons Hotel. 

www.aroundswaffham.co.uk 

Ashill Fruit Farm 

A fantastic small family run fruit farm based in 

Ashill, Norfolk. The farm grows over forty varieties 

of apples, pears, plums, soft fruits and also 

produces a range of pressed delicious cloudy 

apple juice bottled at the farm using all their own 

apples & pears. Visit the farm, 3 miles south of 

Swaffham, and be treated to expert knowledge 

from the grower including apple varieties, tasting 

and keeping qualities or see them at Swaffham 

Farmers Market. 

www.norfolkpureapplejuice.co.uk 

www.farm-direct.co.uk/farmers/direct 

/fmip2ash.html 

More information 

Find out more about heritage apples from the 

East Of England Apples and Orchard Project. 

www.applesandorchards.org.uk




‘Wild Days’ in the Brecks 

Wild Food in the Brecks is abundant. 

The beautiful and natural habitat 

supports deer, muntjac, pheasants, 

rabbit and many other game. While 

Hares can be seen running through the 

fields in March, the rabbit population 

can be spotted all year round. 

Rabbit Pie, pate or casserole 

A key ingredient in any serious ‘local’ Brecks 

menu today would surely feature rabbit. Rabbit 

has made its way back into fashion with specialist 

shops recording an unprecedented demand 

following Nigella and Nigel Slater showing 

viewers how to make the most of rabbit with 

recipes such as Rabbit with Radish and Spring 

Onion Salad and Baked Rabbit. 

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Rabbits 

Rabbits were introduced by the Romans and 

farmed by the Normans in warrens for their meat 

and skins. The largest concentration of warrens 

in Britain was in the Brecks, where the dry, sandy 

soil was easy for making burrows; the low rainfall 

and warm summers were most like the climate of 

the rabbit’s Mediterranean homeland. Since the 

soils were not naturally fertile there was no 

competition with land for crop growing. 

The first warrens in the Brecks were established by 

the abbeys of Ely and Bury St Edmunds. 

Lakenheath Warren was set up by the Prior of Ely 

in 1251; Brandon Warren by the Bishop of Ely in 

1252 and Mildenhall Warren by the Abbot of Bury 

in 1328. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries 

the warrens were sold to lay landowners. By the 

eighteenth century there were a dozen warrens 

next to one another for mile after mile. Their 

names can still be seen on the Ordnance Survey 

maps, and include Eriswell, Santon, Thetford and 

Beachamwell. 


A trip to The Ancient House Museum in Thetford 

will give you more detailed information of this 

aspect of the Brecks history. 

Location: 21, White Hart Street, Thetford, 

Norfolk, IP24 1AD 

Contact: telephone 01842 752599 

Brandon Heritage Centre 

Contact: telephone 01842 813 707 

www.brandonsuffolk.com 

Mildenhall Museum 


www.mildenhallmuseum.co.uk 

www.norfolk.museum.gov.uk 

The Warrens Today 

Visit the Warrens for a great walk with a picnic. 

The Brecks landscape is one of the great natural 

areas of Britain. It is a place of strange beauty and 

hidden stories which go back to the Stone Age. 

Ancient heathland once covered huge areas of 

the Brecks, created by the axes of prehistoric 

farmers and the nibbling teeth of sheep and 

rabbits. ‘Brecks’ were temporary fields cultivated 

for a few years and then allowed to revert to heath 

once the soil became exhausted. The former 

warrens where rabbits were farmed from medieval 

times are dotted all over this landscape offering 

accessibility to walkers; a great place for a picnic. 

Rabbit on the menu: 

Tuddenham Mill www.tuddenhammill.co.uk 

Elveden Fine Foods www.elveden.com 

Stratton’s Hotel www.strattonshotel.com 

The Leaping Hare www.wykenvineyards.co.uk 

The East Anglian Game & Country Fair 

During Spring an annual two day, family event is 

held at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich which 

centres around ‘game’ and the countryside. 

www.eastangliangamefair.co.uk 

Taste of the wild Brecks 

The term ‘game’ applies to wild animals and birds 

that are hunted and eaten. It also includes birds 

and animals once caught in the wild that are now 

raised domestically, such as quail, rabbit and 

deer (the latter two can be farmed or wild; quails 

are no longer allowed to be shot in the wild, so 

are always farmed). Wild game’s generally more 

flavoursome than farmed meat, and may be a little 

tougher, depending on the age of the animal. 

To counteract the toughness, it’s ‘hung’ after 

shooting to help tenderise the meat and 

encourage the development of ‘gamey’ flavours. 

The longer meat is hung, the more pronounced 

the flavour will become, but hanging periods 

usually range from two days (for rabbit) to up to 

12 days (for venison). 

Take home some seasonal game from the Brecks and 

cook up a delicious supper, game pie, terrine or roast. 

For great game recipes go to 

www.bbc.co.uk/food/game 

Game Dealers: 

For a list of butchers and suppliers of game, 

please see page 16. 

The British Association for 

Shooting & Conservation 

BASC ‘Our mission is to promote and protect 

sporting shooting and the well-being of the 

countryside throughout the United Kingdom and 

overseas. We represent our members’ interests 

by providing a voice for sporting shooting which 

includes wildfowling, game, and rough shooting, 

deer stalking, target shooting and air gunning, 

pigeon shooting and pest control, gun dogs, 

promoting practical habitat conservation, training 

and the setting of standards and undertaking 

appropriate research’. 

www.basc.org.uk




East Brecks ‘food, cookery 

and ingredients trail’ 

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Cookery courses, festivals and specialist 

producers that connect with the 

wonderful Brecks Larder and the 

countryside - a great food and drink 

offering. 

‘A Brecks local food experience can 

combine meeting inspirational food and 

drink producers and relaxed cookery 

days as well as wonderful eating 

experiences.’ 

Mary Kemps Cookery Classes 

East Harling 

Mary offers unique days in her kitchen at Hill 

House Farm which may include meeting 

producers. These tailor made days can include 

classes in the kitchen at Hill House Farm where 

you can learn from Mary herself or her specialist 

chefs and cooks how to prepare and cook in 

season game, make wonderful breads using 

locally grown and milled flour and much more. 

Mary grew up on a farm with a mother who is 

an amazing cook, the importance of the seasons, 

food and its origins were a natural part of her 

childhood. 

Though not formally trained Mary would argue 

she has had an incredible food apprenticeship. 

Most importantly, Mary’s cookery career started 

when she married and became a mum. 

Marrying a farmer also continued that strong 

link between food, cookery and farming. On a 

more professional level Mary started working with 

the Meat and Livestock commission, promoting 

British meat and farming. Then in 1998 Mary 

was awarded A Nuffield Scholarship and 

travelled across the world studying cookery 

and food politics. 

www.marykemp.net 

Fabulous local producers 

in East Harling 

The village is also the home to a number of 

excellent small specialist producers, stop off for 

ingredients or finished products: 

Bespoke cupcakes, cookies and hot chocolate 

spoons by Laura Cotton 

www.daydreamincupcakes.co.uk 

Chrissy Sturgess makes handmade fudge 

www.fudgulous.co.uk 

www.courtyardchutneyco.com 

is an artisan preserving company 

The English Whisky Company 

Founded by James Nelstrop a Norfolk farmer who 

wanted to bring the tradition of English Whisky 

back to life after a 100 years absence. Norfolk is 

one of the world’s premier barley growing areas 

and along with the perfectly clear water from 

the Brecks aquifer it becomes the ideal venue for 

whisky production. 

The distillery is open to the public every day 

from 10am - 5.30pm offering a great insightful 

place to visit. 

www.englishwhisky.co.uk 

Cafes and restaurants 

Visit one of many wonderful cafes or restaurants 

that celebrate the wealth of fine ingredients on 

their doorstep; meet the chefs and producers 

whilst in the area. 

Pick up a copy of ‘the Best of Norfolk’ and ‘the 

Best of Suffolk’ from Tilston Philips Magazines Ltd 

for a really good guide to local eateries. 

www.tilstonphilips.com 

The Big Onion 

The Elveden farm specialises in the production of 

vegetables especially potatoes, onions, carrots and 

parsnips but also grow cereals such as rye, barley 

and wheat to balance the rotation, ensuring their 

soils remain fertile and productive for generations 

to come. 

The farm extends to some 10,000 acres, making 

it one of the largest single farm units in lowland 

Britain, and possibly the largest grower of 

vegetables working entirely on their own land. 

More rye is grown at Elveden than on any other 

farm in the UK and they are major suppliers to the 

nation’s crisp-bread bakers. 

Consistency of quality and volume is achieved 

through the application the highest levels of 

science and technology. Irrigation, mechanisation 

and a highly skilled production team are key to 

their success. 

If you visit during August take time to plan in the 

Elveden ‘Big Onion’ Food Festival which 

celebrates the best of East Anglian produce with 

lots of onions, live chef demonstrations hosted by 

Mary Kemp and entertainment for all. 

www.bigonionfestival.com 

Go behind-the-scenes and visit farms 

www.nfuonline.com/contact-us/




‘Sheep and their legacy’ Trail 

The Brecks was once largely covered 

with primeval heathland, created by 

prehistoric axes and the nibbling teeth 

of sheep and rabbits - still today the 

best form of managing a heath. 84% of 

Brecks heaths have been lost since1900. 

This loss has now stopped but proper 

management of the remaining areas is 

vital to safeguard their wildlife. 

Sheep Cheese 

Jane Murray is a farmer and exceptional 

cheesemaker who started her business 

making ewe’s milk cheese at Feltwell; she has 

since relocated to the small hamlet of Deopham 

on the borders of the east Brecks. A short trip 

away from the Poppylot Dairy is Fielding Cottage 

at Ellingham who produce an award winning 

offering of goats cheeses and goat products such 

as natural hand lotions. 

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Seven new heathlands were re-created 

from Forest Enterprise land as part of the 

Heritage Lottery funded Brecks 

Heathland Project (2001-2006). Their 

future management will include 

sustainable grazing to let the heaths 

naturally re-generate.’ 

Norfolk Horn 

The Norfolk Horn is one of the British black-faced 

sheep breeds and differs from other black-faced 

breeds which are mainly found in high-rainfall 

upland areas, and from most other modern 

lowland British sheep breeds in that they are 

lightly built and very hardy. This breed is raised 

primarily for meat. The Norfolk Horn developed 

on the sandy heathlands of the Brecks area of 

Norfolk, although similar black-faced sheep were 

formerly more widespread in lowland Britain. It 

has adapted to surviving on poor forage in a cool 

but dry environment. 

The breed is long-legged with a black face and 

legs. Both sexes have horns, although these are 

larger in the male. The breed is described as 

“flighty” and is likened to a goat in its ability to 

jump over obstacles such as fencing. It was 

popular in Norfolk until the middle 19th century 

when “improved” breeds such as the Leicester and 

Southdown appeared. Norfolk Horn ewes were 

mated to Southdown rams to produce high quality 

meat-producing lambs, and this cross became 

established as a separate breed, the Suffolk. 

To see the Norfolk Horn sheep and have lunch, 

visit Church Farm, Stow Bardolph, ‘Rare Breeds 

Centre’ for animals, adventure playground, 

tea room and shop: 

Contact: telephone: 01366 382162 

www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk 

Find out more about the breed from 

www.norfolkhornbreeders.co.uk 

You can buy Jane Murray’s wonderful award 

winning ‘White Lady’ soft cheese or Sam Steggles 

Fielding Cottage goat’s cheese at: 

Elveden Fine Foods www.elveden.com 

CoCoes Cafe/Deli in Swaffham 

www.strattonshotel.com 

La Hogue farm shop www.lahogue.co.uk 

and from Rob Christie on the Swaffham Saturday 

market as well as finding it on many restaurant 

and pub menus throughout the Brecks. 

Wealth from sheep 

Churches were built throughout Norfolk and 

Suffolk by the wealthy wool merchants as a 

demonstration of their social standing and wealth; 

giving rise to the saying that they were built on 

bales of wool. 

Significant monastic sites exist throughout the 

Brecks; in Castle Acre there is one of the best 

examples of a planned Norman settlement which 

includes a Cluniac Priory now managed by 

English Heritage and it is a great place to visit. 

Sheep still graze on the water meadows around 

the site and you can walk up into the village and 

get a great pub lunch or eat light delicious snacks 

in one of several cafes. Barnfields village shop 

sells local beers, juices, chutneys and jams along 

with other goods, whilst the cafe serves, homemade 

cakes and food. Open Friday-Monday. 

www.castleacre.info 

www.english-heritage.org.uk 


Town Pounds & Ponds 

All towns had pounds to temporarily house 

stray animals when found. If the animal was not 

claimed from the pound, the town crier publicly 

announced its description. If still unclaimed, the 

animal was sold and half of the value went to the 

town and the other half went to the person who 

found the animal. Spot the pounds whilst you 

walk around the Brecks towns such as Swaffham. 

Find out more at 

www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk 

www.brecks.org




The Brecks and regional 

Food Festivals 

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Food festivals are a good way to see, 

to buy and eat local produce...and meet 

the producers, all in one go. 

Becoming increasingly popular not only 

in The Brecks and its regions but all 

round the country, they support 

local producers by introducing them into 

the market place with very small ‘ food 

miles’. They offer a unique opportunity 

to enjoy the region and it’s wonderful 

produce. 


Food & Drink Festival Swaffham 

September 

This wonderful celebration of local food and 

drink, plus the amazing countryside of the Brecks 

showcases everything local from the humble 

potato to the delicate flavours of the macaron; 

from local cheeses to chilled ales and from game 

to garden produce. 

Local restaurants, attractions, retailers and schools 

come together in Swaffham as part of the 

increasingly popular month long Norfolk Food 

Festival. 

Taking place the third week in September. 



The “Big Onion” 

Food and Drink Festival 

August 

The Big Onion Festival in the Elveden Estate’s 

walled garden, showcases a host of local food 

and drink producers. A food stage featuring 

demonstrations from a number of local chefs 

runs throughout the day, as well as live music 

from local bands and children’s entertainment. 

As the UK’s largest lowland arable farm, the 

Elveden Estate is passionate about food. 

“We have an array of fantastic producers in the 

Brecks area and in the wider region beyond. 

The Big Onion is an opportunity to celebrate the 

producers and for the public to find out what’s on 

our doorstep”. 

The Norfolk Show 

June 

The Royal Norfolk Show celebrates everything 

that’s Norfolk. The largest annual event in the 

county with over 100,000 visitors offering a great 

family day out featuring flower and dog shows. 

The show offers 10 hours of entertainment from 

spectacular grand ring displays, traditional 

livestock and equine classes to a live music stage, 

celebrity guests and over 650 stands for those 

who love shopping. 

www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk 

The Suffolk Show 

JUNE 

The Suffolk Show attracts around 90,000 visitors 

over two glorious days of celebrating the best of 

Suffolk’s agricultural trade, skilled craftsmen and 

local produce offering a great day out for 

the whole family. 

www.suffolkshow.co.uk 

East Anglian Game & Country Fair 

April 

Features world class events and attractions 

at the Norfolk Showground each year 

with something for the whole family and the 

opportunity to get involved and ‘have a go’ 

at a range of activities from clay shooting, 

fly fishing, and archery to mountain boarding and 

a treasure trail. A great family day out in Norfolk. 

www.eastangliangamefair.co.uk 

Norfolk Food Festival 

September 

The event sees hundreds of tastings, tours, 

demonstrations, debates and family activities 

taking place. 

The Norfolk Food Festival takes place during 

the month of September and is the biggest 

festival of its kind in the UK which showcases 

and promotes the breadth of quality produce, 

our heritage of food production and their 

importance to our general well-being. 

www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk 

Tickets for adults are £5 in advance and 

£7 on the day. 

www.elveden.com




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from the Brecks 

Aston Organic Orchards 

Organic apples Bramley, Spartan and Grenadier; 

the farm is part of the Cambridge Organic Food 

Company 

Contact: telephone 01284 811668 Tony Fuller 

Location: Welham Lane, Risby, Bury St Edmunds, 

Suffolk, IP28 6QS 

Bhaji Man - spice kits 

Don Lear makes easy mixes and spice kits to 

provide a simple and economical approach to 

cooking authentic tasting eastern-inspired meals 

at home. These innovative products take the hard 

work out of ethnic cooking – all the grinding and 

mixing of herbs and spices – to produce aromatic 

and delicious meals 


Email: don.lear@bhajiman.co.uk 

Location: 24 Scotgate Close, Great Hockham, 

Norfolk, IP24 1PF 

www.bhajiman.co.uk 

Courtyard Chutney Co - jams & chutneys 

An artisan preserving company making a range of 

jams, chutneys, relishes and marmalades from 

local seasonal fruits and vegetables using the open 

pan method to produce mouthwatering preserves 

and available at their shop at East Harling where 

you can watch the products being made and 

sample them. 


Email: courtyardchutney@btinternet.com 

Location: 1 The Cottage, King Street, 

East Harling, Norwich, NR16 2QG 

www.courtyardchutneyco.com 

Criterion Ices 

Criterion Ices supplies its exclusive ices to 

restaurants, theatres, concert halls, farm shops, 

independent fine food stores and delicatessens but 

do not supply supermarkets, grocery chains or 

mass-market outlets. 

Contact: telephone 01359 230208 Paul Myatt 

Location: The Manor Farm Creamery, Bird Green, 

Thurston, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 3QJ 

www.criterion-ices.co.uk 

Daydream in cupcakes 

Daydream in cupcakes was founded by Laura 

Cotton and specialises in producing cupcakes, 

hot chocolate spoons and cookies that are perfect 

for any occasion; birthdays, christenings, baby 

showers, anniversaries, weddings, valentine’s or 

just to treat a loved one (or yourself!) based in East 

Harling, Norfolk and able to provide cupcakes in 

a 50 mile radius (delivery available in a 20mile 

radius). 


Email: daydreamincupcakes@hotmail.co.uk 

Location: East Harling, Norfolk, NR16 2PZ 

www.daydreamincupcakes.co.uk 

Denver Mill Ltd 

The mill stone grinds local cereals grown just 

6 miles away at Stow Bridge and uses them to 

make bread, confectionery and biscuits for sale 

on site in the shop and tearoom. Also on offer is a 

range of bread and confectionery courses to help 

people understand the cereals and how to use 

local products in their baking. 


Email: enquiries@denvermill.plus.com 

Location: Denver Mills, Sluice Road, Denver, 

Norfolk, PE38 0EG 

www.denvermill.co.uk




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Domini Dairy 

Village Farm, a small mixed farm, was one of the 

first to hold the Soil Association symbol. A legacy 

of ancient pastures and traditional buildings 

enable the family to practise farming methods 

tried and tested by their ancestors. The Domini 

Jersey cows are the backbone of the farm. Their 

milk has a distinctive and sweet flavour and is 

sold ‘untreated’, thereby protecting all its natural 

goodness; the farm also sells cream, farmhouse 

butter and other dairy products from the farm and 

from Wyken farmers market. 

Contact: telephone 01359 221333 or 

07979 811535 

Email: dairy@dominodairy.co.uk 

Location: Village Farm, Market Weston, 

Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2NZ 

www.dominidairy.co.uk 

Nick & Susie Emmett - farmers 

Farmers producing lamb, hoggart & mutton. 


Location: Whitehouse Farm, Oxborough Road, 

Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, PE33 9QH 

F.L Edge & Sons - butchers 

F L Edge & Son are a traditional family butcher 

with over 50 years experience in serving and 

delivering quality fresh meat and home produced 

meat products. F L Edge & Son Ltd are located 

in East Harling and have won many awards over 

the years and are recognised as a quality meat 

supplier. 


Email: contact@fledgeandson.co.uk 

Location: Market Street, East Harling, Norwich, 

Norfolk, NR16 2AD 

www.fledgeandson.co.uk 

Fielding Cottage 

The only producer of goat’s milk products in 

Norfolk and all the milk is produced from their 

own herd of goats of mostly British Saanen with a 

few Toggenburgs and some Alpine goats. Cheese 

is made on site from milk from the herd. Contact 

Sam Steggles to arrange collection from their 

premises or at Elveden Shop, CoCoe’s Cafe Deli 

Swaffham and farm shops and delicatessens in the 

Brecks Area. They also offer visits for Young 

Farmers and Countrysiders Clubs, Womens 

Institute Groups and other organisations and can 

tailor a visit to suit your needs, just call to discuss 

your requirements. Goat’s milk and cheese are a 

healthier alternative to cow’s milk and may help 

those suffering from lactose intolerance, asthma, 

eczema and other allergies. 


07775 678782 

Email: sam@fieldingcottage.co.uk 

Location: Fielding Cottage, Anchor Corner, 

Little Ellingham, Norfolk, NR17 1JX 

www.fieldingcottage.co.uk 

Fudgulous - confectionary 

Chrissy Sturgess makes handmade fudge using 

only the finest ingredients, locally sourced where 

possible with no artificial colours, flavourings 

or preservatives and includes a classic range of 

flavours from vanilla, chocolate and ginger to a 

delicious vanilla clotted cream fudge sold from 

local Farmers Markets and by arrangement. 


07900 956237 

Email: Fudgulous@gmail.com 

Location: Barn Cottage, Gallants Lane, 

East Harling, Norfolk, NR16 2NQ 

www.fudgulous.co.uk




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Heritage Honey 

Specialist honeys and bee products from hives 

situated in Breckland and Windsor, Richmond and 

Sandringham Royal Parks. Wholesale only. 

Min. order £200. 

Contact Email: fionadickson@openworld.com 

Location: Didlington Manor, Didlington, 

Thetford, Norfolk, IP26 5AT 

Heygate Farms 

Heygate Farms are growers of potatoes in the free 

draining Breckland soil in deepest Norfolk. This 

assists the development of a potato full of flavour 

with a clean, bright appearance. The soil is 

carefully prepared and plentiful irrigation is 

continuously supplied to encourage a 

consistent growing environment. The quality 

and taste difference of Norfolk Peer is achieved 

through professional agronomy and fine 

attention to detail throughout the growing season; 

a combination resulting in a potato crop of the 

very highest quality. 


William Gribbon 

Email: marketing@heygatesfarms.co.uk 

Location: Snailspit Farm, Cley Road, Swaffham, 

Norfolk, PE37 8AE 

www.heygatefarms.co.uk 

Hill House Farm 

Farmer Neville Kemp produces Pedigree 

Aberdeen Angus beef whilst wife Mary runs a 

cookery school from her farmhouse kitchen when 

not writing for local glossy magazines or hosting 

Norfolk and Suffolk cookery theatres with chefs 

and producers. 


Email: kemp@fastmail.net 

Location: Hill House Farm, East Harling, 

Norwich, NR16 2LL 

Hoggies Spit Roasts 

Hoggies offer a range of delicious foods, spit 

roast meats, all locally sourced from farms with 

organic, free-range and outdoor rearing policies 

for exceptional flavour. Hoggies use traditional 

spit roast equipment and top of the range 

commercial barbecues to flame grill a wide range 

of food that will be a talking point for its fantastic 

taste as well as the way it is prepared. 


07788 138243 

Email: hoggies@orangehome.co.uk 

Location: 4, St Marys View, Sporle, Kings Lynn, 

Norfolk, PE32 2UG 

www.hoggies.co.uk 

Kiri Cooks Catering 

Kiri Cooks Catering is a West Norfolk based 

family run business offering a high quality of 

service for those special events offering a very 

personal and friendly service and catering for 

those smaller events, business lunches, shooting 

parties, funeral teas, dinner parties, birthday 

parties, weddings and anniversaries. The company 

also produces, slow cooked, ready meals, desserts 

and cakes to sell at farmers markets and for home 

delivery. ‘We are fortunate to be based in The 

Brecks, with access to the most wonderful local 

East Anglian produce’ owner Kim Emmett-Ropero. 


Email: kiri_cooks@yahoo.co.uk 

Location: The Furrows, 5 Haspalls Road, 

Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7PD 

www.kiricooks.co.uk




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Larchwood Foods Ltd - 

pressed local rape oil 

Mr Hugh’s is a versatile quality cold pressed 

rapeseed oil with high omega 3 and half the 

saturated at as olive oil. The company supplies 

food services, retail and food manufacturing 

industries and is available online and from local 

shops and delis. 


Email: fiona@larchwoodfoods.co.uk 

Location: Hall Farm, Fincham, Norfolk 

www.larchwoodfoods.co.uk 

www.mrhughs.co.uk 

Longwood Farm 

Organic beef, lamb, pork and poultry, as well as 

organic fruit and vegetables, breads and a large 

selection of organic groceries. The shop is open 

two days a week, Friday and Saturday. 


Matthew Unwin 

Location: Longwood Farm, Tuddenham St Mary, 

Suffolk, IP28 6TB 

www.longwoodfarm.co.uk 

Macarons & More beautiful patisserie 

‘We supply high quality luxury patisserie, 

beautifully prepared and packaged. We only 

use natural colourings and flavourings. We use 

free range local eggs. Our macarons are gluten 

free. Local producers and suppliers are used 

wherever possible’ Dr Tim Kinnaird, Masterchef 

finalist, owner. 


Email: contact@macaronsandmore.com 

Location: Unit 19, Thetford Rd Business Park, 

Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6BS 

www.macaronsandmore.com 

Mid Norfolk Smokehouse - 

fish & game suppliers 

The Bunning’s family produce ‘natural oak 

smoked foods including kippers, salmon, 

mackerel, haddock, kiln salmon and duck pâté; 

fresh fish from bass to crabs, sourcing fish from 

sustainable sources is of utmost importance. 

The company supplies hotels and farm shops; 

also seasonal game and venison between 

October to Easter. 


Email: grbunning@aol.com 

Location: Jubilee Hall Farm, Cranworth, 

Hingham, IP25 7SH 

www.midnorfolksmokehouse.co.uk 

Norfolk County Asparagus 

Norfolk County Asparagus is delicious English 

asparagus grown on the light sandy soils of Brecks 

and available from mid April to mid June. 

A premium quality product sold wholesale to the 

London markets and at the Farm Shop. 

Opening times 9-4 daily during the season at 

Roudham Farm, Roudham, just off the A11/B1111. 

Follow the signs for Norfolk County Asparagus! 


07774 725417 

Email: jolly@roudhamfarm.co.uk 

Location: W.O. & P.O. Jolly, Roudham Farm, 

Roudham, Norfolk, NR16 2RJ 

www.norfolk-asparagus.co.uk 

Nunn’s Farm Pork 

Grange Farm is a family farm where the pigs are 

reared on a straw based system to create a good 

product at a fair price. Joints, chop, steaks, 

sausages, burgers and bacon available at market 

or direct from the farm. 


Email: grangepigs@akitanet.co.uk 

Location: 86 The Street, North Lopham, Diss, 

Norfolk, IP22 2LR




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Orchid Apiaries - 

producing honey in the Brecks landscape 

Managing several apiaries in the Brecks area, 

honey crops are usually gathered during the 

spring, summer months being often too dry for 

ground flora to produce nectar, late summer and 

autumn can produce good crops from the ivy and 

heather. Can provide apiary tours in late spring 

when time permits. The scale of operation and 

management methods allow them to produce 

several unique mono and poly floral honeys from 

the Brecks. Apiaries provide an important service 

to the environment and crop production as most 

wild honey bee colonies have disappeared in 

recent years. 


Email: tcon@quista.net 

Location: Church Lane, Surlingham, 

Norfolk, NR14 7DF 

J & D Papworth Farms - 

farmers & butchers 

J & D Papworth Farms is a traditional Norfolk 

butcher and grazier, selling quality beef and 

lamb from their own farm and retailing their own 

sausages and delicatessen products in their own 

butchers shops located in market towns across the 

county. Also available online and offering home 

deliveries in the Brecks. 


07770 851717 

Email: info@papworthbutchers.co.uk 

Location: 34a, Market Place, Swaffham, 

Norfolk, PE37 7QH 

www.papworthbutchers.co.uk 

Pat-A-Cakes 

Bespoke cake maker using the best ingredients; to 

order and through Great Hockham Farmers 

Market. Crafting wedding cakes including 

sugarcraft & hand painted designs. 

Contact: 01953 497050 or 07961 873878 

Email: office@pat-a-cakes.net 

Location: Springfield, The Street, 

Great Hockham, Norfolk, IP24 1NH 

www.pat-a-cakes.net 

Philli Chillies 

Philli Chillies grow over 35 varieties of chillies 

specialising in using these to enhance both the 

flavour and heat rating of the products to please 

both the “chilli heads” and those who like just a 

hint of heat; they also sell fresh, smoked and dried 

chillies as well as plants. Products are sold at the 

markets in North Lopham, Swaffham Farmers 

Market, Norfolk Diet at the Forum Norwich and 

Great Hockham Farmers’ Market and by 

arrangement. 


Email: phillichillies@hotmail.co.uk 

Location: Lavenders, Harling Road, 

Great Hockham, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1NT 

www.phillichillies.co.uk 

Portwood Asparagus - J.W. Allen & Sons 

Asparagus growers supplying to local shops, 

restaurants, wholesale markets all over the 

country and the supermarket multiples and locally 

at Wymondam Farmers Market in April & May. 


07850 394479 

Email: portwoodfarm@btinternet.com 

Location: Portwood Farm, Great Ellingham, 

Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1AG




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Rachel Scrafield - bee keeper 

Rachel’s bees gather nectar from flowering trees in 

local forests and wild flowers on Brecks heathland 

giving their honey a particularly fine multi-floral 

flavour and rich colour. Honey, honey in the 

comb, beeswax, pure beeswax candles, beeswax 

decorations and beeswax polish are available. 

All wax products are made from 100% beeswax 

from the hives. Sold at Wayland Farmers’ Market 

during the winter months. 

Contact: telephone: 01842 812481 

Email: scrafield@tiscali.co.uk 

Location: 13 Cromwell Road, Weeting, 

Brandon, Norfolk IP27 0QT 

Scotts Rare breed pork 

The Scotts own a pedigree herd of rare breed, 

Large Blacks pigs which are born and reared 

outside at Oxborough in West Norfolk. They are 

grown slowly and this contributes to the 

production of sweet succulent pork which is 

excellent for curing as well as the table. Scotts 

Field Pork can be found in the best butcher’s 

shops and on the finest restaurant menus 

throughout Suffolk, Norfolk and beyond. 

Contact: telephone 07940800275 

Email: sales@scottsfieldpork.co.uk 

Location: Orchard House, Scotts Lane, 

Brookville, Thetford, Norfolk, IP26 4RD 

www.scottsfieldpork.co.uk 

Scrubby Oak Fine Foods Ltd 

A family run business committed to creating fine 

handmade products from traditional recipes 

using the finest ingredients including ‘Sweet Fruit 

Vinegars’ which are grown with a vinegar mother 

- a natural culture which imparts to them their 

intense flavour and full bodied consistency that 

infusion alone cannot provide. Jellies, pickles and 

preserves made with ingredients sourced as 

locally as possible and whole fruits and flowers; 

all products are free from artificial flavours, 

colours and preservatives and GM Free. 

Sold online and at Swaffham and Creake Abbey 

Farmers Markets. 


Email: info@scrubbyoakfinefoods.co.uk 

Location: 12 Newton Road, Sporle, 

Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2DB 

www.scrubbyoakfinefoods.co.uk 

Stonehouse Organic Farm 

Organic beef, pork, lamb and poultry with an on 

site cutting room for processing meat for regional 

delivery and farmers’ markets. 

Contact: telephone 01953 717258 Robert Evans 

Location: West Harling, Norwich, 

Norfolk, NR16 2SD 

Watton Produce Company 

Watton Produce has over fifty years experience 

focused on the supply of carrots and parsnips for 

the retail, food service and wholesale Markets in 

the UK and in Europe. The company farm with an 

environmental focus and have been awarded by 

the RSPB for their efforts in conserving 

endangered birds and animals who naturally 

inhabit our farms. 


Location: Hargham Road, Shropham, 

Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1DT 

www.wattonproduce.co.uk




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Tomato Chilli Jam Co 

Producing jams that are intense, addictive and 

incredibly versatile and work perfectly with 

almost everything from meat, fish, cheese, 

pasta- ideal as a flavouring. They are made in small 

batches from many of their own cultivated Chillies, 

local Aspalls vinegar and local tomatoes when in 

season. Open by appointment and 

available on line and in farm shops, butchers 

and delis. 


Email: info@chillyfilly.com 

Location: Park Farm House, Herringswell, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6SR 

www.chillyfilly.com 

Game Dealers 

J & D Papworth, 34a Market Place, Swaffham, 

Norfolk, PE37 7QH Tel: 01760 724753 

www.papworthbutchers.co.uk 

CH &EI Bambridge & Sons, Wayland Croft, 

Watton Green, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6RB. 

Tel: 01953 881895 

Hunters Feast (oven ready game), 3 Ellingham 

Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1YH 

Tel: 01953 453770 or 07879816495 

Powters Ltd, Wellington Street, Newmarket, 

Suffolk CB8 0HT Tel: 01638 662418 

www.powters.co.uk 

The Elveden Estate & Elveden Food Hall, 

London Road, Elveden, Thetford, IP24 3PQ 

Tel: 01842 898064 www.elveden.com 

Steven Smith Quality Meats 23 High Street, 

Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6AB 

Tel: 01953 885467 

La Hogue Farm Shop, Chippenham, 

nr Newmarket, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5PZ 

Tel: 01638 751128 www.lahogue.co.uk 

Venison Steak 

with Juniperberry sauce 

and Red Chillies. 

Serves 4 

4 venison Steaks (8-10 ounces) 

2tbsp oil 

salt and black pepper 

For the sauce 

1tbsp dried juniper berries 

1/2pt dry red wine 

2 bay leaves 

1.1/2tsp thyme (fresh or dried) 

1 small onion finely chopped 

1/2pt chicken stock 

3-4 red chillies to your taste 

Put juniper berries, red wine, bay leaves, 

thyme and onions in a saucepan, simmer 

for about 20 minutes to reduce by ½. 

Add stock simmer over medium heat to 

reduce by ½ again. 

Remove from heat and pass through a 

sieve to remove herbs and berry skins, 

keep warm. 

Brush steaks with oil and season with salt 

and pepper to your taste. 

Either cook under a hot grill or on a hot 

BBQ for 5-6 minutes per side or to your 

preference 

Remove stem and seeds from chillies and 

chop finely. 

Put steaks on a warmed plate top with 

the juniper sauce and sprinkle with the 

chillies. 

Serve with rice and green beans or peas.




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The diverse drink offering 

in the Brecks & Brecks borders 

REAL ALE Colin Valentine, chairman of the Campaign for real ale comments on real ale; 

“It’s strange to think that at the turn of the 21st century the real ale market 

was in decline, and many predicted a further downturn in fortunes. Yet in the 

present day, real ale brewing is recognised as one of the most vibrant areas of 

the small business sector, and we now enjoy more brewers than at any time 

since the end of the Second World War. There are promising times ahead for 

the industry when a new era of discerning consumers are demanding quality 

products that are locally produced and represent good value for money. The 

fact many brewers in the current climate are reporting record sales increases 

shows this renewed interest is not about to end.” www.camra.org.uk 

The story of a local micro brewery project... 

Harwich Charter Ale 10.0% 

In early September 2004 Frances Moore from Elveden Ales in Suffolk took all the research, 

including a suggested recipe from the Colchester CAMRA homebrewer extraordinaire 

Colin Miller and turned it into reality at her Elveden Brewery in Suffolk. Two highly 

successful brewers, Brendan Moore from the Iceni Brewery and Ian Hornsey from the 

Nethergate Brewery, had been involved in the final recipe and Brendan (Frances’ Father) 

was on hand to help brew the beer. The beer matured in cask until December when 

eager noses and taste buds were on hand to sample this revival of a forgotten style. 

Brewed as a one-off for the 2004 Harwich & Dovercourt Bay Winter Ale Festival; 

a re-creation of Allsopp’s Arctic Ale, brewed in 1852 for Captain Edward Belcher’s 

expedition to the Arctic in search of John Franklin. 

Some of the tasting notes from the 1875 brew that influenced the new ale were: 

‘..of a nice brown colour, and of a vinous, and at the same time nutty flavour, 

and as sound as on the day it was brewed’. 

‘... mellow as old Burgundy and as nourishing as a beefsteak’. 

..and it became the clear winner at 

The Cambridge Winter Ale Festival ‘2005 - Champion Beer’.




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Bartrams Brewery 

Bartram’s Brewery has won many awards 

ranging from CAMRA Beer Festival to SIBA 

industry awards, including the Best Bottled Beer in 

the Country and subsequently being included on 

the list of the Top 50 Bottled Beers in the World, 

the smallest brewery to have achieved this. Marc 

Bartram maintains an artisan approach refusing to 

deal with supermarkets, chains or distributors. 

Sold to local pubs within a 25 mile radius and 

through local farmers markets and music festivals. 


07768 062581 

Email: marc@bartramsbrewery.co.uk 

Location: Bartram’s Brewery, 23 Meadow Close, 

Felsham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 0QS 

www.bartramsbrewery.co.uk 

Beeston Brewery 

Beeston Brewery attributes their own water source 

and Branthill malted barley to bringing the true 

taste and character of Norfolk to their ales. They 

sell everything from bottle. Visiting by prior 

arrangement - please call first. Private events 

catered for within 20 mile radius. Beer available 

at the following local outlets; The Real Ale Shop, 

Wells; Uncle Stuarts Brewery, Wroxham Barns; 

General Store, Ringstead; Green Grocers 

Healthfoods Earlham, Litcham; Post Office, 

Necton Windmill; Dabbling Duck, Massingham; 

The Swan at Hillborough and Beeston 

Ploughshare. 


07768 742763 

Email: mark_riches@tesco.net 

Location: Beeston Brewery, Fransham Road Farm, 

Beeston, Norfolk, PE32 2LZ 

www.beestonbrewery.co.uk 

Brandon Brewery 

Since opening in 2005 the brewery has gained a 

wide reputation for the production of excellent 

ales. The traditional brews are made from recipes 

that incorporate the best locally sourced 

ingredients which results in flavours and 

aromas found only in ale produced in small 

batches by enthusiastic brewers; winner at East 

Anglian Beer Festival, Bury St Edmunds - 

CAMRA Silver. 


07876 234689 

Email: enquiries@brandonbrewery.co.uk 

Location: 76 High Street, Brandon, 

Suffolk, IP27 0AU 

www.brandonbrewery.co.uk 

Elmtree Beers 

A very small brewery dedicated to brewing the 

best possible real ale boasting a range as small as 

the brewery which produces fine bitters, 

wonderful stouts, light summer beers, and the 

occasional speciality or celebration beer, using 

ingredients’ from Branthill Farm and Simpson’s 

malt. A multi award winning business; Beers 

available online at www.myBrewerytap.com and 

at small local outlets such as Denver Windmill, 

be sure to check out the website. 


Email: sales@elmtreebeers.co.uk 

Location: Snetterton Brewery, 

Oakwood Industrial Estate, Harling Road, 

Snetterton, Norfolk, NR16 2LQ 

www.elmtreebeers.co.uk




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Iceni Brewery 

The brewery is situated on the edge of Thetford 

Forest, in the Brecks area of Norfolk. The name 

Iceni is derived from the Iceni tribe who were 

ruled by Queen Boudicca and occupied most of 

Norfolk and Suffolk around 61 AD. The brewery 

is owned and managed by former food 

industry worker, Brendan Moore. In January 

1995, Brendan began brewing beer commercially 

for retail. Over the years the shop opened, and 

bottling and packing processes began, which 

enabled a new market for tourism and guided 

tours for enthusiasts. The ales are available online, 

YouTube and Twitter and from Mundford Post 

Office and Elveden Cafe Bistro. 


07949 488113 

Email: icenibrew@aol.com 

Location: Iceni Brewery, 3 Foulden Rd, Ickburgh, 

Mundford, IP26 5DS 

www.extraordinaryales.co.uk 

and at Elveden Brewery, Frances Moore, 

Elveden Ales, The Courtyard, Elveden Estate, 

Elveden, Thetford, Suffolk, IP24 3TA 

The Old Cannon Brewery & Pub 

A privately owned, genuinely independent free 

house in the centre of Bury and certainly the only 

brew pub in Suffolk where you can actually see 

beer in the making on a regular basis. Beers are 

made on the premises using East Anglian grown 

and malted barley, choice hops and the special 

house yeast. Former runners-up in the Suffolk 

Food & Drink Awards for Best Food Pub. 


Email: info@oldcannonbrewery.co.uk 

Location: The Old Cannon Brewery, 

86 Cannon Street, Bury St Edmunds, 

Suffolk IP331JR 

www.oldcannonbrewery.co.uk 

Wolf Brewery 

The Wolf Brewery brews up to 12 seasonal 

and permanent award winning ales, available 

throughout Norfolk and from the Brewery Shop. 

Malt, wheat & barley used are from East Anglian 

producers and the water used throughout the 

brewery is drawn from an on-site well. The locally 

malted barley comes from just over the border in 

Suffolk and when the goodness is extracted from 

the malted cereal, cattle on a neighbouring farm 

benefit from the spent brewers grains. 


Email: info@wolfbrewery.com 

Location: Wolf Brewery,Rookery Farm, 

Silver Street, Besthorpe, Attleborough, 

Norfolk, NR17 2LD 

www.wolfbrewery.com 

& other alcohols... 

The English Whisky Company 

St George’s Distillery is home to the first 

traditional single malt distillery in England for 

over 100 years. Every drop of whisky distilled is a 

single malt whisky of the highest calibre, 

lovingly distilled and matured in the very 

finest oak casks before being bottled. The 

beautiful distillery is open to the public. 

A huge success locally, the English Whisky Co 

has also become an East Anglian success story, 

exporting its produce to 14 countries worldwide. 

The award winning spirits are made from water 

that comes from the Breckland Aquifer and barley 

supplied by Crisps of Great Ryburgh. 


Email: info@englishwhisky.co.uk 

Location: English Whisky Co. Ltd, 

St George’s Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham, 

Norfolk, NR16 2QW 

www.englishwhisky.co.uk




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Thelnetham Winery 

Planted in 1985, Thelnetham Vineyard is one 

of the earlier English Vineyards. It is a hobby 

vineyard run by the Gillis family in their spare 

time. However, hobby probably underplays it a 

little since with 1,400 vines and an average 

production of around 3,000 bottles a year it is a 

fairly major pastime. The wines are sold locally 

through independent shops (including Hopton 

Shop, Londis at Banham and Garboldisham Shop) 

and through local pubs, restaurants and hotels 

(including Strattons at Swaffham and the Bank 

House Hotel in Kings Lynn). 


Email: neil.gillis@btinternet.com 

www.thelnethamvineyard.com 

Wyken Vineyard 

Wyken is a 1200-acre farm which includes a 

flock of Shetland sheep, a small herd of Red Poll 

cattle and a 7-acre vineyard producing awardwinning 

wines, including the English Wine 

of the Year. Planted in 1988 on a south facing 

slope reckoned to have been the site of a Roman 

vineyard, the vines thrive on the sandy loam over 

chalk. Wines include: Wyken Bacchus, winner of 

the ‘English Wine of the Year’, and in 2009 East 

Anglian Wine of the Year. Wyken Moonshine a 

sparkling wine ‘A wow! and it gets better and 

better.’ Hugh Johnson. Wyken White, a perfect 

wine, off dry and welcoming, and our first screw 

cap. Wyken Madeleine Angevine, citrus fruits on 

the nose. 


Email: shop@wykenvineyard.co.uk 

Location: Wyken Vineyard, Stanton, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2DW 

www.wykenvineyars.co.uk 

Soft Drinks 

Breckland Orchard 

Breckland Orchard produce fabulous sparkling 

soft drinks – or ‘Posh Pop’ ® as they prefer to call 

them. All products are made in small batches 

with a base of Norfolk spring water and plenty 

of passion to traditional recipes researched by 

founder Claire Martenson 


Email: poshpop@brecklandorchard.co.uk 

Write to: Wayland House, High Street, 

Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AR 

www.brecklandorchard.co.uk




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Brecks & the borders Farmers Markets 

Buying Local Food is ethical, tasty & informative 

There is an environmental cost to transporting food around the country. 

Most of us think that if we buy British food this is good enough, however if we 

changed to buying goods that are locally produced it would make significant 

environmental and congestion savings. 

Farmers markets are a great and informative way of picking your own local 

fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy and much more and a chance to 

find out the stories behind the food from the producers themselves. 

“All products are brought to market by the actual producers, many of whom 

offer free tastings and are always delighted to talk about their specialities”. 

Eileen Brownlow, Great Hockham, Farmers Market. 

“We all have to eat every day, therefore coming to a farmers’ market to buy 

some locally grown, baked and cooked food regularly, is a must - much more 

enjoyable than a trip to a supermarket, and you can sample the food too, plus 

listen to some regular local traditional folk from local musicians and a bit of 

folk dancing too“. 

Chris Elder, ccfm




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Great Hockham Farmers Market 

Since September 2010 Great Hockham has been 

running a monthly Farmers’ & Craft Market after 

taking part in the Bidwell’s/EDP Norfolk Food 

Festival by having its own very successful food 

festival on September 10th 2011. The markets 

are providing an outlet for our local producers 

and our village with a new shopping experience. 

Enjoy a BBQ bacon butty, shop for the week and 

then relax with a real coffee and one or Sarah’s 

mouth-watering cakes! A real community 

Farmers’ Market featuring a regular twenty stalls 

with the best produce/crafts from the Brecks area 

of Norfolk. 

Location: Great Hockham ‘Edinburgh Hall’, 

Great Hockham, Norfolk, IP241NT 

Frequency: second Saturday of the month 

from 10am – 12pm 

Contact: Eileen Brownlow 01953 498517 

www.greathockham.org/ 

FarmersCraftsMarket.aspx 

Risby Indoor Farmers Market 

Risby is a small village just outside the thriving 

market town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. A full 

list of confirmed stalls for each of the markets can 

be found on the website as they are approaching. 

The Risby Farmers Market features organic 

and free range meat and dairy produce, fruit and 

vegetables, home-made jams and chutneys, 

artisan breads, savory treats, handmade meals, 

cakes and desserts, local crafts and refreshments. 

Location: just off junction 41 on the A14 near 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6RT 

Frequency: first Saturday of each month, 

at Risby Village Hall, 10am – 2pm. 

Contact: sarah@risbyfarmersmarket.co.uk or 

telephone 01284 811898 

www.risbyfarmersmarket.co.uk 

Rougham Airfield Farmers Market 

Rougham Airfield Farmers Market has an 

excellent variety of quality, local produce to 

tempt you from meat products, homemade cakes 

and pies, jams and chutneys, olives and feta 

cheese, vegetables, beverages from organic coffee 

beans to ice cold cider, an assortment of cheeses, 

free range eggs, hot and spicy chilli sauces and 

much more. Talk to local farmers and people 

growing or making the food/products they are 

selling, how and where it was grown or made, 

where it is grown or made and also enjoy mouth 

watering food samples. Alongside the Farmers 

Market there are Craft Marquees with a great 

variety of local genuine crafts, refreshments and 

lunches are available, car parking on site. 

Also for the children The Petting Zoo to Bouncy 

Castle, Bubble of Fun, Childrens Fun Fair rides 

and Ice Cream. 

Location: Rougham Airfield, Rougham, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 

Frequency: fortnightly every other Sunday 

10am – 3pm (Mar - Oct) 

Contact: bookings@themarketplace.org.uk 

or telephone 07870 437264 

Rickinghall Farmers Market 

Products available at most markets according 

to season: Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, fresh and 

smoked fish, locally made curries, bread and 

cakes, fruit tarts, chocolate and truffles, honey, 

chutneys and preserves, cheese, stone ground 

wholemeal flour from Pakenham Water Mill, fresh 

vegetables, apple juice, mushrooms, fresh eggs, 

freshly ground coffee also shrubs and plants. 

Location: Rickinghall Village Hall, signed from 

the main road through Rickinghall 

Frequency: second Saturday of every month, 

from 9am – 2.30pm 

Contact: Monty Cornel 01379 898525




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Traditional 

Weekly Markets 

Brandon 

Thursday & Saturday 

Bury St Edmunds 

Wednesday & Saturday 

Mildenhall 

Friday 

Newmarket 

Tuesday & Saturday 

Swaffham 

Saturday 

Thetford 

Tuesday & Saturday 

Watton 

Wednesday 

Swaffham Farmers Market 

The Farmers Market was launched as part of 

the inaugural Brecks Food & Drink Festival in 

September 2012. The market is organised by 

City & Country Farmers Markets featuring a 

good range of artisan products from the Brecks, 

entertainment and cafe with cover for showery or 

very sunny days. 

Location: Swaffham Market Place, 

Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7AB 

Frequency: the first and third Sunday of the 

month 10am – 3pm 

Contact: Lesley Howard 01366 501246 

www.weareccfm.com 

West Lexham Farmers Market 

Noticing how many food producers attending 

London markets come from the East Anglia region, 

Chris Elder is keen to encourage more local 

councils, places of interest, schools and colleges 

to think about opening farmers’ markets in this 

rich and diverse area for all kinds of local foods. 

Pick up a wide range of produce from sausages 

made with locally reared rare breed pork to spicy 

sauces and chutneys made from chillies grown in 

Norfolk. 

Location: West Lexham which is just off the 

A1065, 5 miles north of Swaffham 

Frequency: starting Sunday 29th April 2012 

& thereafter last Sunday of the month 

10am – 3pm 

Contact: norfolk@weareccfm.com 

or telephone Lesley Howard 01366 501246 

Wayland Farmers Market 

The Market was established in July 2000 as a part 

of a Partnership initiative to promote local food 

and farming. Several of the original traders still 

attend. A team of volunteers manages the stalls 

and most of them have also been with the market 

from the start. Produce includes local beer, honey, 

Angus beef, apple juice, eggs, fish, preserves and 

flowers. 

Location: Watton High Street, 

Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AH 

Frequency: first Saturday of the month, 

8.30am – 12.30pm 

Contact: 01953 883915/881709 

www.wayland.org.uk 

Wyken Farmers’ Market 

‘The Wyken Farmers’ Market is about farmers, 

producers, bakers, makers, friends and family 

situated in the farm sheds next to the Medieval 

Barn where you can eat and shop. 

Location: Wyken Vineyards, Wyken Hall, 

Stanton, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2DW. 

Wyken Vineyard & the Leaping Hare are 

9 miles NE of Bury St Edmunds, just off the A143, 

follow the brown signs for Wyken Vineyard from 

the A143 at Ixworth & Stanton. 

Frequency: every Saturday 9am – 1pm 

Contact: 01359 250262 

www.wykenvineyards.co.uk




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Farm Shops 


Farms & Farm Shops 

in the Brecks & 

its borders 

Abram’s Farm Shop 

High House Farm, Beetley, 

Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4BX 

A family farm producing high class quality 

beef. Traditionally reared and hung for a 

minimum of 3 weeks to enhance flavour and 

selling their neighbours high quality lamb and 

pork; also locally produced F/R chicken, eggs, 

flour and preserves. 

Contact: 01362 860244 or 07796 470621 

email: eabram@tiscali.co.uk 

Open: Tues & Wed 10am – 1pm, 

all day Friday & Saturday or by appointment 

www.beetleysimmentals.co.uk 

D J Barnard 

Mill House Farm, Low Road, 

Shropham, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1EH 

A long established family business priding 

themselves on the best meat and products in the 

area and offering a strong customer focus with 

bespoke butchery service. All the meat is reared 

on the farm and is free range. Beef, pork, lamb, 

mutton, cured meats, ready meals, pies and 

savouries are the offering sold through traditional 

and farmers markets within the area or home 

deliveries as well as the farm shop. 

Contact: 01953 498511 

email: dbarnard@djbarnardmeats.co.uk 

Open: Tuesday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm, 

Saturday 8.30am – 1pm. 

www.djbarnardmeats.co.uk 

Country Farm Meats 

Brand Road, Great Barton, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2NY 

A traditional family butchers whose pork is from 

their own farm. Delicious homemade sausages 

and burgers and home cured gammon and bacon. 

They also have lamb, beef, poultry, game, venison 

and Christmas Turkeys with superb BBQ Section 

along with all the more traditional and speciality 

cuts of meat. 

Contact: 01359 235237 

Open: Wednesdays 9am – 3.30pm, 

Thursdays & Fridays 9am – 5.30pm, 

Saturdays 9am – 3.30pm. 

www.countryfarmmeats.co.uk 

Christmas Hill Farm Shop 

Christmas Hill Farm, Station Road, 

Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9AB 

Award winning rare breed beef and lamb reared 

to extremely high welfare standards on a 700 acre 

farm in Lakenheath and sold in the farm shop. 

A range of local pork, chicken and other meat 

cuts, plus daily specials available! 

Contact: 01842 861144 

email: farmshop@christmashill.co.uk 

Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 5.30pm, 

Sunday 10am – 4pm. 

www.christmashill.co.uk




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Eve’s Apple Juice 

Flint Farm, Brick Kiln Lane, 

South Lopham, Suffolk, IP22 2JS 

Pure apple juice with no added sugar or 

preservatives, grown on the farm on the edge of 

South Lopham and Redgrave Fen and pressed 

locally. Eight different varieties and the flavour of 

the different apples can be quite distincitive, from 

the sweetness of Red Pippin to more dry flavour of 

James Grieve. 

Contact: 01379 687281 

Email: elogsdail@btopenworld.com 

Available from: Garboldisham Post Office, 

The Lophams Market & deliveries 

within a 10 mile radius. 

Elveden Estate 

London Road, Elveden, 

Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3TJ 

A bit more than a farm shop, an estate shop, 

passionate about great food and drink, where all 

their produce is grown, reared or created with the 

utmost respect for the environment. Home grown 

vegetables, beef, chicken, lamb, pork and game 

are usually available. Condiments and jams are 

made in the estate kitchen using produce from 

the farm wherever possible, e.g. Elvedenilli, made 

with carrots, onions and parsnips. 

Contact: 01842 898068 

Email: estate.shop@elveden.com 

Open: 9.30am – 5pm Monday to Saturday, 

10am – 5pm Sunday. 

Also online and at Elveden Inn. 

www.elveden.com 

Evergreen Farm 

Church Lane, Gressenhall, 

Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2QH 

A small farm offering up a box scheme of certified 

organic and produced on the farm produce where 

most items are harvested within 24 hours of 

delivery/collection for maximum flavour and 

nutritional content. Produce includes apples, 

pears, plums, gages, morello cherries with fennel, 

asparagus and salad potatoes a speciality. 

Contact: 01362 860190 or 07905 805250 

Email: tomckemp@tiscali.co.uk 

Open: Box scheme deliveries/collection 

Fridays & Saturdays or by arrangement 

April to November 

Fransham Manor Farm Shop 

The Manor, Little Fransham, 

Norfolk NR19 2JW 

A good family run farm shop, specialising in local 

produce plus some quality deli items, home 

produce includes seasonal vegetables and soft 

fruits and homemade pies, cakes and meals such 

as lasagnes and shepherd’s pie; home produced 

pork from the farm. 

Contact: Mark and Sarah Daisley 

01362 687603 or 01362 687216 

Open: every day 8.30am – 5pm 

Sunday 10am – 3pm 

Hillcrest Nurseries 

Barningham Road, Stanton, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2DU 

Open: Farm Shop: 7 days a week 

Mon to Fri 8am – 5.30pm, 

Sat 8.30am – 5.30pm, Sun 8.30 – 5pm 

Deli and Bakery: Tues to Sat




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La Hogue Farm Shop & Cafe 

La Hogue Farm, Chippenham, 

Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5PZ 

Situated just off the A11, 2 miles north of 

Newmarket, La Hogue is an impressive Farm 

Shop boasting a substantial local butchery, 

delicatessen and home and Fenland grown fruit 

and vegetables, including home grown potatoes, 

garden fruits and homemade ready meals, 

cakes pastries and desserts. 70 cover farm 

café/restaurant that offers breakfasts, lunches 

and afternoon teas, together with sunday lunches, 

with everything made seasonally on the premises, 

the emphasis being on using local ingredients. 

Contact: 01638 751128 or 01638 552688 

Email: info@lahogue.co.uk 

Open: Tuesday to Friday 9am – 6pm, 

Saturday 9am – 5-30pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. 

CLOSED Mondays (except bank holidays). 

www.lahogue.co.uk 

Norfolk Pure Apple Juice 

Ashill Fruit Farm, Swaffham Road, 

Ashill, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 7DB 

Pure apple Juice is produced at Ashill Fruit Farm 

in the norfolk countryside. Once the fruit has fully 

ripened it is handpicked and selected for juicing. 

The whole fruit is pressed for maximum goodness 

and flavour no sugars, flavours or colours are 

added. The juices and fruits can be bought from 

the farm shop or at markets and delis throughout 

Norfolk. A wide range of local vegetables and fruit 

is available from the farm shop. 

Contact: 01760 440050 

Email: pureapplejuice@tiscali.co.uk 

Open: Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm 

www.norfolkpureapplejuice.co.uk 

The Olde Farm Shop 

Low Green, Nowton, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5NEA 

A small local farm shop selling a range of organic 

vegetables and farm fresh food, also they have a 

small number of friendly animals, which children 

can meet and greet notably their friendly sheep 

Jake, who is a star and enjoys all the fuss and 

attention he can get. 

Contact: 07976 771403 

Open: 8am – 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday, 

Sunday 10am – 4pm. 

www.nowtonfarmshop.co.uk 

The Rushford Estate 

Estate Office, Rushford, 

Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2SF 

Fresh asparagus cut and packed on the estate 

daily throughout the UK asparagus season is also 

available from Hillcrest Nursery Stanton and 

Wyken Vineyard, Stanton. 

Contact: 01842 753551 or 07979 257183 

Email: asparagus@rushfordestate.co.uk 

Open: 8.30am – 5pm weekdays, 

10am – 1pm Saturday & Sunday, 

during the season. 

www.rushfordhall.co.uk 

 

.




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Poultry people! 

Poultry enthusiasts are a big part of the Brecks countryside offering, with more 

and more people keeping chickens in their back gardens, the ultimate fresh egg. 

Poultry keeper and writer Francine Raymond talks about the 

‘satisfying link between kitchen, garden and hens. Plants and birds 

produce to their full potential: the flock feasts on kitchen and garden waste, 

and flowers and vegetables thrive on chicken manure. In return your hens’ 

delicious fresh eggs will feed you and your family a wide range of dishes.’ 

Poultry & Smallholders Groups 

The Poultry Club of Great Britain 

A registered charity founded in 1877 to safeguard the interests of all pure and 

traditional breeds of poultry. This site offers a wealth of information. 

www.poultryclub.org 

Norfolk Poultry Club 

The place for all things poultry in Norfolk! Two annual shows. 

Members have access to a breeder’s directory. 

www.norfolkpoultryclub.org.uk 

Norfolk Smallholders Training Group 

Members benefit from newsletters, courses in all things smallholding 

related and loaning of equipment, including incubators. Annual show. 

www.nstg.org.uk




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Poultry Breeders 

& Egg producers 

T. Clark 

Breeds: Jersey Giants, Cochins, Legbars, 

Sussex, Pekins, Old English game, Sebrights, 

Polish, Bearded silkies. Ducks: Rouens, Runners, 

Bali’s, Aylesburys, Muscovies 


Location: Twelve Acre Farm, 

Hockwold, Norfolk, IP26 4JL 

Great Grove Poultry - turkey & geese 

A traditional family run farm. All of the Norfolk 

turkeys and geese are free to roam around the 

35 acres of Norfolk woodland and grassland 

enhancing a stress free environment. Using an 

aged old method of farming the family allow their 

traditional Norfolk turkey and geese plenty of time 

to grow to maturity without using any growth 

promoters or antibiotics, giving a far superior 

quality of bird with natural gamey flavours. 

Although this is a much more costly way of 

rearing and processing compared to today’s 

factory methods, the end result is far superior. 

Everything is processed on the farm, graded and 

hung in large chillers (minimum 10 days) to make 

them exceptionally tender, adding all the natural 

flavours that this type of production depends on. 

Available from local butchers and farm shops and 

the farm gate. 


07766 588166 

Email: info@greatgrovepoultry.co.uk 

Location: Great Grove Poultry, Whews Farm, 

Caston, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1BS 

www.greatgrovepoultry.co.uk 

James Gulliver - geese 

A Brecks Goose Breeder; Stow and Super Stow 

breeds of geese, supplying goslings to the UK 

goose production market. 


Email: james@gulliver-poultry.co.uk 

Location: Church Farm, Stow Bedon, 

Attleborough, Norfolk 

Jon Daw 


Email: jonathandaw@btinternet.com 

Location: Tile Farm Cottage, Lady Drove, 

Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 0AG 

Louise Smolen - Pekin bantam breeder 


Email: louise.smolen@btopenwolrd.com 

Location: 36 Feltwell road, Southery, 

Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 0NP 

Mark Wallace 

Supplier of Lohman pol and other laying Hens; 

Silkies, Pekins, Marrans, Orpingtons, Bantams, 

Quail, hatching eggs and Chicks for all of the 

above; laying Hens, chicks and eggs sold. 


Email: tractorboy@aol.com 

Location: Windy corner, Mill lane, 

Rickinghall, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 1HG 

www.windypoultry.co.uk




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Peele’s Norfolk Black Turkeys 

Producers of Norfolk Black turkeys which are 

traditionally reared free range from their own stock 

birds which are naturally mated. They are fed and 

fattened on their home produced corn giving a tight 

grained moist white meat free of additives, but with 

a gamey flavour. Tasted and praised by Ade 

Edmonson on his TV series Ade Around Britain. 

Norfolk Black Turkeys and other rare breeds of 

turkeys also sold as chicks, growers or fattened for 

Christmas. A delivery service of finished turkeys 

throughout Breckland and the UK is offered. 


Email: info@peelesblackturkeys.co.uk 

Location: Rookery Farm, Thuxton, 

Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 4QJ 

Open: Christmas week, other times by 

appointment. Also live chicks, poults and stock 

collection from farm. 

www.peelesblackturkeys.co.uk 

Wayland Free Range Eggs 

Fresh free range eggs produced and packed on 

the farm where the hens have access to fields 

where thousands of trees have been planted to 

encourage the birds outside. Eggs are delivered 

regularly throughout East Anglia. 


or 07986 517681 

Email: info@waylandfreerange.com 

Location: Rookery Farm, Great Ellingham, 

Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1PM 

Open: 8am – 7pm, daily. 

Also available from local butchers and 

farm shops including Ashill fruit farm. 

www.waylandfreerange.com 

Hen Keeping 

More and more people hate buying massproduced 

eggs. Farmers Markets are an 

excellent way of buying really good fresh eggs 

direct from the hen keeper but you could 

harvest your own supply from the comfort of 

your garden. The Henkeepers’ Association 

estimate that the number of households 

keeping hens in the UK has more than 

doubled in the past decade to more than half 

a million owners. 

Francine Raymond, lived in Troston in 

Suffolk for many years and author of ‘Keeping 

A Few Hens In Your Garden’ and host of 

hen-keeping courses shares some of her 

wisdom for new hen keepers..... 

Ensure you have enough space 

You can keep hens in a small-town garden on 

a bed of bark chippings if you have no lawn, 

but the plot size will dictate how many you 

can keep. I would suggest you need at least 

12sq ft for a pair of hens, allowing for a run 

alongside the hen-house. Ideally, you’d move 

the run around a lawn to offer fresh grass and 

allow time to repair damage. Let the hens out 

regularly to roam free (make sure your garden 

is secure first, with a 6ft-high fence). 

Choosing Hens 

If you’ve only got a small space, go for 

bantams, a smaller, pure-bred hen. Those 

with more space could opt for a standard 

size hen, or a hybrid. These have been 

cross-bred to be prolific egg-layers - usually 

one a day. However, if you’re a keen gardener, 

beware - hybrids will eat everything if you let 

them roam around. Pure breeds tend to have a 

life expectancy of eight to ten years. 

Hybrids have a shorter lifespan (three or four 

years), but lay daily. My hens are pure-bred 

Buff Orpingtons which are big birds, but quite 

easy to keep and friendly.




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Woodend Green Farm: 

Katie Rothwell and Tom Stocking 

“My name is Katie and along with my partner Tom 

we rear and breed poultry and other livestock for 

the back garden keeper, breeder and smallholder. 

We stock a variety of birds including pure breeds, 

bantams and hybrids to name a few! I have lived 

and grown up on a farm all my life and have kept 

chickens from the age of five. My first two hens 

were two Rhode Island Reds called Clara and 

Henrietta and every since then my interest and 

love for keeping chickens has grown and grown! 

Tom has also kept chickens from an early age so 

between us we hope we can offer you plenty of 

experience and advice”. 


Email: rectoryfarm@hotmail.co.uk 

Location: Woodend Green Farm, 

Thurston, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk 

www.purebreedpoultry.com 

Fabien R Eagle, Poultry Auctioneer 

Fabien Eagle’s family have been involved in 

poultry farming since 1892, but now the auction 

side of the business has taken over. Fabian stages 

monthly poultry auctions at Elveden Farms on 

Sundays throughout the summer months as well as 

at Holywell Row, Mildenhall every Wednesday and 

Swaffham Poultry Market every Saturday throughout 

the year. You can buy everything from a tiny 

bantam to a 30 inch high Brahama chicken. 

Brahamas have feathered legs and a gentle 

disposition and surprisingly, for the size of the 

bird, lay quite small eggs. 

A chicken can sell from as little as £1 to say £20 

for a Aracana, that lays green and blue eggs. Fabien 

says each breed of chicken has a different character 

and you get the most noise from small cockerels! 

It’s not just chickens that are on sale, there are 

ducks and geese too. 

Start small 

I suggest starting with three or four hens: 

it’s a manageable number, and you may 

change your mind about the breed you’d like. 

Also, if all your hens are the same age, they’ll 

all start and stop laying at the same time, so 

it’s good to stagger their age to keep a 

productive laying cycle. 

Buy hens from reputable suppliers 

I advise against buying on the internet. 

Instead, get a specialist poultry magazine and 

search the small ads. Go and see the supplier 

and check that the environment the hens are 

bred in is clean: you want healthy birds that 

have been reared in a good environment. 

Don’t start with a cockerel 

I recommend buying only females when 

you’re starting out, then add a cockerel when 

you’re ready to breed your own birds. The 

minute you have a cockerel, the eggs become 

fertile, the hens will sit on them and then they 

could hatch and become chicks. 

Beginners should avoid ‘rescue’hens 

I don’t recommend beginners taking on former 

battery hens, because they have a shorter 

life expectancy and they can often be quite 

traumatised, meaning they’ll take time and 

effort to settle. 

Find a good home 

Most problems in hens are caused by stress, 

so space is important. 

The poultry press is great for finding different 

hen-house styles, but you can adapt a shed: 

hens simply need shelter from the elements 

and from predators, space to move around 

and food. If you’re looking for an easy-tomaintain 

home, Omlet does a little Eglu, or a 

bigger Eglu Cube. Try to make sure your hen 

house is off the ground and can be shut at 

night, to deter rats and foxes.




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And don’t assume all ducks quack the same, 

because some breeds “coo” a bit like a pigeon. 

Pure breeds and cross breed poultry are sold, Large 

Fowl and Bantams. Breeds can include Sussex, 

Marans, Brahmas, Cochins, Pekins, Polish, Rhode 

Island Reds, Old English Game, D’uccles, Japanese, 

Legbars, Araucanas to name a few. They also sell a 

wide variety of Point of Lay, hybrid pullets for egg 

production, for example, Amberlinks and Bluebells. 

Most weeks domestic ducks and geese are entered, 

farmyard white ducks and geese and callducks as 

well as Indian Runners and Muscovies. 

Occasionally there may be ornamental waterfowl to 

sell such as Mandarins, Carolinas and Teal. 

A variety of small livestock, including all types of 

poultry and waterfowl as well as rabbits, hatching 

eggs and poultry feed are also featured in the 

auction. 

Location: ‘Swaffham Poultry Market’, 

Lynn Road, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7BB 

The poultry auction at Swaffham is on 

every Saturday. 

Gates open for entries at 8.30am until 11am. 

All lots must be booked in with the 

auctioneer by 11am. 

The auction commences at 11.30am. 

Location: Eldon Farm, Holywell Row, 

Near Mildenhall, Norfolk, IP28 8NA 

The poultry auction held at Holywell Row 

is on every Wednesday. 

Gates open for entries at 7.30am until 10am. 

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Brecks 

nor any other organisation associated with this publication. 

No liability can be accepted for inaccurancies of any 

description, although The Brecks would be pleased to receive 

amendments for possible inclusion in future editions. 

Daily care 

Hens need feeding morning and night. 

A protein feed, usually in pellet form, is what 

encourages them to lay eggs and should be 

eaten for breakfast. Before bedtime, hens 

should have a mixed cornfeed or scraps 

(not meat or fish). Make sure you clear away 

uneaten food to avoid tempting rats in. 

Clean out the henhouse once a week. 

The eggs-tra factor 

Keeping hens isn’t the cheapest way of 

obtaining eggs, but you can be sure of their 

provenance and it is the only sure-fire way of 

getting fresh eggs. 

With hybrid birds, you can expect an egg a 

day from about six months of age. 

With pure-breeds, you’ll probably have about 

five eggs a week for the first year of laying, 

then their laying season will get shorter, 

starting mid-February and ending in 

November. 

The older they get, the shorter their laying 

season. 

And lastly... 

Hens are wonderfully rewarding. 

Keep your own and you have control over 

the quality of the birds’ lives and the benefit 

of enjoying their presence. 

For details on Francine Raymond’s books, 

blog, shop and her henkeeping courses, 

visit www.kitchen-gardenhens.co.uk 

For general advice, 

visit www. henkeepersassociation.co.uk. 

For egg houses, including starter kits with a 

pair of organically reared hens, 

visit www.omlet.co.uk

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