The Brecks Food Trail - thedms

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The Brecks Food Trail see food eat food meet the producer ‘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. MENU Introduction Area map Chefs Food Trails Specialist Producers Diverse Drinks Farmers Markets Farm Shops Poultry and Eggs 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 www.aroundswaffham.co.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 Food Trail see food eat food meet the producer The Brecks and regional Food Festivals MENU Introduction Area map Chefs Food Trails Specialist Producers Diverse Drinks Farmers Markets Farm Shops Poultry and Eggs 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. The Brecks 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. www.aroundswaffham.co.uk www.brecks.org 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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