Foodie Holidays

Centuries of traditional farming, fishing and brewing make Suffolk a true foodie’s delight, while an appetite for locally-produced, top-quality fare, are today fuelling the rise of a whole new generation of food producers. It’s all great news for those who want to indulge their taste for the finer things in life while holidaying here!

Regular and specialist markets, produce shows, farm shops and deli counters prove the perfect ‘hunting ground’ for those who want to cook up a storm in their holiday cottage kitchen. If you’re not sure where to start, Suffolk Heritage Food Tours showcase the county’s produce, places and people. Tickle your tastebuds on a coastal tour, or book a bespoke day out to suit your own tastes or dietary requirements. 

Close to our county town of Ipswich, Suffolk Food Hall offers a host of activities to ensure you enjoy quality, local food in family-friendly surroundings. Here you’ll find all you’d expect from an internationally-recognised farm shop, plus a traditional butchery, bakery and a fishmonger's counter, along with a delightful deli, wine and beer merchant, greengrocer, and chocolatier. There’s also a gift and garden shop for those searching for the perfect holiday souvenir. 

If all that hunter-gathering leaves you thirsty, fret not. Southwold is perhaps the whistle-wetting centre of the county, thanks to its links with the Adnams brewery. Book a tour of the brewery or distillery, have a go at making your own gin, or simply enjoy a pint at one of the town’s famous watering-holes… all serve great food too! And don’t forget that Aspall Hall near Debenham is where, in 1728, Clement Chevallier first established the Aspall cider business. Today his orchards are home and work for the eighth generation of the family. The journey from sea to plate is a short one in Suffolk, nowhere more so than at Pinney's of Orford where you’ll find a shop and restaurant full of freshly-caught and smoked seafood. In Southwold the Sole Bay Fish Company sells the day’s catch and serves up sumptuous meals from its Blackshore sites in the Harbour, or you can enjoy a town centre treat – including Champagne and oysters – at its Little Fish and Chip Shop on East Street. Similarly popular, Aldeburgh Fish & Chips is more than half a century old – look for the long queues and you’ll have found it! 

If you’d like to do some sightseeing while you eat, book a meal aboard Lady Florence, an ex-Admiralty motor fishing vessel that is now a lovely venue for intimate brunch, lunch and dinner cruises along the Rivers Alde and Ore. Sister ship Allen Gardiner caters for up to 12 passengers along the River Orwell too – book an exclusive private charter, or share the fun with other passengers.

Or, if you’d prefer to enjoy a meal in the comfort of your self-catering holiday cottage, our holiday extras can help … choose from luxury meat box or sponge cake deliveries, book a cookery workshop, plan a Prosecco party or even hire a private chef to get your holiday off to a great start. Tell us what sets your tastebuds tingling and we’ll do the rest!