Uniquely Away Issue 2 - Autumn 2012

Issue 2 | Autumn 2012

Uniquely Devoted to exclusive holidays,leisure and experience inNorfolk and Suffolk

AWAY

Retreat to the countryWin a fabulous break

Suffolk attractionBeautiful Lavenham

Autumn harvestFresh, seasonal foods

THE ULTIMATEINTERIOR DESIGNEXPERIENCEFrom a single scented candleto a full home refurbishment

Stockists of leading brands of fabric, wallpaper, paint and home accessories. Curtain, blind and upholstery service too.

To truly appreciate what we offer visit our showrooms and design studio.

Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Thursday until 7.00pm and weekends by appointment.

Three Gates Farm, Fen Street, Bressingham, Norfolk, IP22 2AQ

T: 01379 687542

W: www.swankinteriors.co.uk

3UNIQUELY AWAY AUTUMN 2012

Autumn has arrived and so has the second issue of

We received an overwhelming response to our launch publicationand would like to thank all those who have encouraged andsupported us from the beginning.

As we explained in our first issue, Uniquely Magazines was born after a group of professional writers, photographers, designers andeditorial specialists began to discuss bringing out niche publicationswith a strong emphasis on photography and design, as well ascontent. We wanted to create magazines that were beautiful to lookat, as well as interesting and informative to read.

This issue of Uniquely Away aims to continue to do just that.

We wanted to showcase the continued splendour of Norfolk andSuffolk as the counties move into autumn and winter, and to suggest some great places to visit and interesting activities to enjoy.

As the weather cools and the nights draw in, we also wanted to reflectthe warmth of the area; the welcoming nature of the people who livehere, the homely yet stylish pubs, restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, and the inviting, exclusive holiday accommodation whereyou can retreat from the busy world.

Once again, we have brought you a taste of the seasonal produceavailable in Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as an insight into our vibrantand colourful arts scene.

And there are also a few suggestions for Christmas.

Please take part in the superb competitions we have in this issue anddo send us your suggestions, ideas and feedback, in time for ourJanuary issue.

Abigail [email protected]

The online version of Uniquely Away canbe viewed at www.uniquelymags.co.uk

The Away Team

EditorAbigail [email protected]

Deputy editorKaren [email protected]

DesignerMark [email protected]

Creative photographerNick [email protected]

Feature writersMary WilliamsSarah Sinclair

Head of sales and marketingHenrietta [email protected]

For information on advertising, sales orsponsorship in Uniquely Away or otherUniquely Magazines publications [email protected] or call 01603 929434

Uniquely Away is published by Uniquely MagazinesFerndale Centre1 Exeter StreetNR2 4QB

© AMS Editorial Services LtdCompany No. 07089976

About the editorWith almost 25 years experience, Abigail Saltmarsh is afreelance journalist, writing lifestyle, property, homes,travel and a range of general interest features.

She is a regular contributor to national, glossymagazines and her pieces have appeared in The NewYork Times and International Herald Tribune.

Abigail has also written extensively for the UK’s best-selling daily regional newspaper, the Eastern DailyPress, as well as for the EDP Norfolk Magazine, theEast Anglian Daily Times Suffolk Magazine and theEvening News, in Norwich.

About the designerBased in Norwich since 2001, Mark Edwardsspecialises in graphic design, art direction and brand identity.

Mark has worked on a diverse selection of designprojects for a variety of clients including the BBC,TfL, L’Oréal Paris, NNF, Office Shoes, PWL Records,Superdrug, Hilfiger, Top Shop and Virgin Classics.

www.designed.co.uk

About the photographerNick Read is highly experienced in lifestyle andmagazine work.

With more than 20 years behind the camera, he hasworked for clients ranging from Bentley, McLaren,Chrysler and Secma sports cars to the BBC, RadioTimes and United Emirates Air Lines.

Nick, who lives in Suffolk but travels abroad for hisphotography work, frequently carries out homeinteriors shoots and has worked for national glossymagazines such as House Beautiful and BBC GoodHomes, as well as exclusive homes estate agentsSavills, Fine and Fine and Country.

Other clients include design groups, advertisingagencies, TV production companies and property developers.

www.nickreadphotography.com

UniquelyAWAYAWAY

Cover photography by Nick Read, taken at Whittlingham Broad. For more information visit www.broads-authority.gov.uk

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Co. using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers.www.magprint.co.uk

4 UNIQUELY AWAY AUTUMN 2012

Gastro pub

7A local choice The Dabbling Duck

Food and drink

10Harvest festivalOn the table this season

12A fresh choiceThe Green Grocers

14Say cheeseFielding Cottage

Art and artists

16Behind the cameraPhotographer Nick Read

19Art in the wildRachel Lockwood

20Creative inspirationsExhibition spaces and artists

22Thoroughly modernFurniture maker TobyWinteringham

Competition winners

Uniquely Away would like tocongratulate the lucky winners of thecompetitions in our summer issue.

Jim Parsons, of Great Glemham, who wona two night break for two at Mill Cottages,Yaxham, and a three-course dinner for twoat The Mill Café Bar & Restaurant

Carolyn Philip, of Middlesex, who won astay for two people, in three luxury hotelsrun by Flying Kiwi Inns, as well as a threecourse meal, complete with a bottle of wine,every evening, and a home-cookedbreakfast each morning

The winners have been informed.

Read on to enter three moremagnificent competitions in this issue of Uniquely Away.

is priced £4.50 (inc. p&p).

For the latest issue or for a subscription for four issues (£16 inc. p&p) please call 01603 926114 to pay by card or email your contact details to [email protected]

Cheques (made payable to Uniquely Magazines) andcontact details may be posted to

Uniquely MagazinesFerndale Centre1 Exeter StreetNR2 4QB

UniquelyAWAY

Contents

Uniquely

AW

AY


Out and about

25Time outIn West Norfolk

28Comfort and joyThe Ostrich Inn

32Park lifeOxburgh Hall

34The Suffolk waySailors’ Path

Escape to the country

38Warm and welcomingExclusive winter retreats

40Homes from homeNorfolk Hideaways

42Step back in timeMedieval Lavenham

44Fine wineLavenham Brook Farm

48Celebrity diningMarco Pierre White’sWheeler’s

51Animal magicCreatures of the autumn

Past and present

54Hidden historyHunsett Mill

57Amber nectarBrancaster Brewery

60The real dealBrewed in Norfolk

64Spa and awayBarnham Broom

66This sporting lifeEngland rugby star Ben Youngs

What, where, when

68In the editor’s diaryA choice of events

74Sparkling suggestionsChristmas gifts

76Festive funNorwich Cathedral

78In the knowAmanda Bond

C O M P E T I T I O N

Uniquely Away has teamed up with The DabblingDuck to offer one lucky reader a stay for two*

The winner of our competition will be able toenjoy an overnight stay at The Dabbling Duck, aswell as a three-course meal, with a bottle of wine.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to spend timein this beautiful corner of Norfolk and to visit the

quintessentially English village itself.

It is thought the origins of Great Massingham date back as far as the 5th century AD, when the

area was inhabited in the wake of the Romanwithdrawal, by a group of Angles and Saxons.

Today it still retains its historic feel. It has one of the most impressive greens in the country, which features large ponds that were used by an Augustinian Abbey in the 11th century to keep fish.

Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole,was educated in the area before going on to buildthe breathtaking Houghton Hall nearby.

Just a short distance from the Peddars Way, and setin a village surrounded by scenic countryside, thepub is popular with walkers. Dogs are also welcomehere and cyclists frequently stop for refreshmentsor an overnight break.

To enter our draw to win this magnificent prize, simply send your name, address, email address and daytime telephone number to:

[email protected] or send a postcard to:

Dabbling Duck Competition, Uniquely Away, Ferndale Centre, Exeter Street, Norwich, NR2 4QBThe competition closes on Saturday 15 December 2012. The winner will be announced in the next issue of Uniquely Away. The usual Uniquely Magazines terms and conditions apply. For full details visit www.uniquelymags.co.uk

*A date for the stay will be arranged directly with the manager at the Dabbling Duck and will be subject to availability.

Your chance to dabble at The Duck

The Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham prides itself on offering affordable quality, without compromise.

Overlooking the pretty village green, with its two ponds, the award-winning inn extends a warm welcome to all its customers,

from those living in the attractive village to the many visitors passing through.

With six beautifully furnished guest rooms, an exciting, seasonal menu and a carefully selected range of ales and wines,

it is the perfect place to stop, settle down and relax a little.

The bar is open seven days a week from midday.

Lunch is served from 12pm to 2.30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 9pm each day.

[email protected] | 01485 520827 | www.thedabblingduck.co.uk

The Dabbling Duck“Ducks go a dabbling – up tails all!” THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

A local pub, with comfortable rooms and delicious food and drink

Downtimeat the Duck

With its warm welcome,relaxed ambience andcomfortable surroundings,The Dabbling Duck, at Great Massingham, is a pub without pretension

Nick R

ead


➸


It may have won awards for itsfabulous food menu but TheDabbling Duck is steadfast in its

determination to remain a village local.

Set in a building, which is thought todate back at least as far as the mid-19thcentury, and with its wooden floors andshelves of books, it has a homely feelthat appeals to people of all walks of life.

Manager Mark Orton explains the pub isvery much part of daily life at the picturepostcard village of Great Massingham. Itis somewhere for locals to chat over a pintof beer or to tuck into a good meal, aswell as a popular place for visitors to staywhen they are visiting the area.

“First and foremost we are a proper,village pub,” he says. “Apart from aperiod of about 10 years, there hasalways been a pub here so we are verymuch part of Great Massingham.

“This is somewhere people come to see their friends or to enjoy a meal outwith their family. They like theatmosphere and the fact we are affordable.”

He adds: “At the same time, however,we refuse to compromise on quality. Weoffer excellent food and we won theCAMRA Norfolk Pub of the Year Awardin 2011.

“We always source local ingredientswhere possible. What we offer here isaffordable quality.”

The tactile bar, made from a piece ofsolid oak, always offers a selection oflocal ales, including Adnams, GreeneKing, Woodfordes and Wolf Brewery.The Beeston Brewery’s Worth the Waitwas taken on as a guest ale five years agoand remains so popular that it has notbeen taken off.

The impressive menus at The DabblingDuck feature a range of seasonal dishes,with offerings including the likes of panroasted pigeon breast with celeriacremoulade, black pudding and sunblushed tomato pesto, and grilled seabass with roasted tomato and olives,spinach and basil new potatoes.

There are always daily specials, whichinclude such winter warming dishes aspies and stews of the day, as well astempting desserts, such as whitechocolate and vanilla cheesecake, withpoached strawberries, and stem gingerand pear frangipane tart, with red winesyrup and vanilla ice cream.

“We make everything ourselves here andit is all good food, with the bestingredients. So, for example, we servefish and chips but it is lager and limebattered haddock, with crushed mintedpeas, tartar sauce and hand cut chips.”

Photography by Nick R

ead, except exterior, bar and taps supplied by The D

abbling Duck


In the morning, guests also sit down toeither the Countryman’s BreakfastTable, which includes the likes ofhomemade muesli and smoked kipperswith lemon and butter or theCountryman’s Full Breakfast, with a feastof ingredients, such as smoked backbacon, local butcher’s sausage androasted field mushroom.

The Dabbling Duck, which welcomeschildren, has six guest rooms. Each ofthese has its own careful yet comfortabledesign, with unique touches, such as theretro-style wireless sets.

“People like to come to stay herebecause it does have an informal feel butat the same time we do have free wifiand space for business meetings as well,”says Mark.

Just a short distance from the PeddarsWay, and set in a village surrounded by

scenic countryside, it is not surprisingthe pub is popular with walkers. Dogsare also welcome here and cyclistsfrequently stop for refreshments or anovernight break.

“We have so many different types ofpeople here. Members of the aristocracyvisit and we do have other famous facesfrom time to time but equally peopleknow they can come in here straight fromwork or with their walking boots on.”

With separate areas that can be booked(The Blenheim Room for larger groupsand The Red Room for smaller parties),as well as the main dining area, TheLibrary, and the child-friendly garden,The Dabbling Duck is flexible in how itsspace can be used.

It offers a programme of entertainmentand events throughout the year,including quiz nights, live music and its

annual beer festival; and Christmasparties for up to 40 people can be held between Monday 3 to Friday 21December 2012.

“We want people to have a goodexperience while they are here to ensurethey will come back again,” says Mark.“It is informal at The Dabbling Duck butservice is everything – and that is whythey do return.

“They like the fact we are a good localpub – and that we are one that alsooffers excellent food and rooms.”

Words by Abigail Saltmarsh

For more information call 01485 520827

or visit www.thedabblingduck.co.uk


In fields across Norfolk and Suffolk,the autumn harvest is being broughtin, ready to be sold in shops and

markets, and served up to customers indelicatessens, cafés and restaurants.

Richard Ewin, and his brother Peter, runNorfolk Veg Box. The Great Ellingham-based company sources seasonal producefrom the area and delivers it to order tohomes in Norfolk and North Suffolk.

Customers order by phone or throughthe website, and can even ask for localcheese, oil and roasted coffee to bedelivered too.

“Most of it does come from this area – we only deliver the odd item that doesn’tgrow here, such as bananas and oranges,if people ask us for them,” says Richard.

“This season we will have some lovelysweetcorn, as well as onions, parsnipsand leeks, and, of course, nice autumncabbages. Anything green should belooking good this season as we’ve nothad a long summer of hot, dry weather.”

Many delicatessens and restaurants inthe counties make an effort to source andprepare their dishes with local produce.

Daniel Smith, owner and chef at the14th century Ingham Swan, which isrenowned for its fine dining, says healways uses local ingredients where theyare of the best quality.

“This autumn we will be using apples,wild mushrooms, potatoes, beef and lotsof fish from Norfolk,” he says. “Dishesmight include crispy sea salt belly of pork

with scallops and saffron apple purée.”

Daniel, who worked for acclaimed chefMichel Roux Jr at the two Michelinstarred La Gavroche, and was based atMorston Hall, in Norfolk, where heachieved his first Michelin Star as headchef, aged 23, prides himself on hisregularly changing menus that embraceproduce from the area.

“At Christmas we will be doing a six-course tasting menu for £29.99,which gives people the chance to try lots of different dishes,” he adds. “It is a good idea to book as we expect it to be very popular.”

Another establishment that is well-known for its strong relationships withlocal suppliers is luxury boutique

This Christmas treat yourself tosome locally produced delicacies –

or think about ordering them as a gift.

Gnaw chocolate, for example, is madein Norwich. The bars come in morethan 30 different flavours and aremade to the company’s own recipes.

Seek out such different flavours asGnorfolk chilli, Gnorfolk lavender and cherry bomb. They make greatstocking fillers or unusual Christmas presents.

Or order some fresh Norfolk seafood,fish, homemade pâté or cured meat

from Cley Smokehouse. Smoked, curedand prepared in the smokehouse itselfin the coastal village, these can beordered online and delivered direct.

The gift packs and boxed deliveries make novel and tastyChristmas presents.

For more information on Gnaw chocolate call 01603 501518 or visit www.gnawfolkchocolate.co.uk

For more information on Cley Smokehouse call 01263 740282 or visit www.cleysmokehouse.com

Autumn harvest

Festive treats


Fresh fruit for hot crumbles and delicious cakes, and locally raised meatfor steaming stews and bubbling casseroles. Across Norfolk and Suffolk,produce is being harvested and reared for tasty, autumnal disheshotel Strattons, in Swaffham.

The family-run operation not only has an award-winning restaurant, butalso CoCoes, a café and delicatessen,with a feast of offerings that change with the seasons.

Owner Vanessa Scott explains the outlet was launched after guests keptasking to buy foods they were enjoyingin the restaurant.

“We make our own breads and cakes and they can buy and eat them atCoCoes too now,” she continues. “We make more than 20 cakes per day now. At this time of year we oftenuse apples in them; we make a fantastic almond and Bramley applecake, for example.

“We have our own orchards but are alsosupplied by Ashill Fruit Farm, which isvery close to us.”

Other local produce sold by the deli andenjoyed in the café includes charcuteriefrom Fruit Pig, a company that uses rarebreed meat. This is sometimes combinedwith Norfolk-grown vegetables andmade into sausages.

“People love these as you get thevegetable flavour and the meat juicescoming through. We sell an awful lot ofthem at Christmas, along with cheeseand our own pickles.”

Also popular in the approach to thefestive season is CoCoes’ pear, hazelnutand chocolate cake. Swiss rolls, lemoncurd and cinnamon meringues and

sticky ginger cakes are also favourites.

“We bake a lot of fruity crumbles at thistime of year too. We pick wild plums inthe hedgerows for puddings and cakes,and put them in brandies and gins,”says Vanessa.

“We can make all sorts of dishes for peoplefor the Christmas period if they let usknow as soon as they can in December.”

Words by Mary Williams.

For more information on Norfolk Veg Box

call 01953 457393 or 07712 443463

or visit www.norfolkvegbox.co.uk

For more information on The Ingham Swan

call 01692 581099

or visit www.theinghamswan.co.uk

For more information on CoCoes at Strattons

call 01760 725605

or visit www.strattons-hotel.co.uk

WARM SALAD OF GOAT’S CHEESE, BEETROOT AND WILD MUSHROOMS SERVES FOUR

For more information on the cheese call 01953 455185 or visit www.fieldingcottage.co.uk

INGREDIENTS

250g Fielding Cottage Norfolk Mardler

goat’s cheese

Four rashers of smoked streaky bacon,

grilled until crisp

175g assorted wild mushrooms

roughly chopped

Two medium-sized beetroots, peeled,

chopped and cooked until soft in

orange juice, then puréed in a liquidiser

175g baby spinach

100g Jerusalem artichokes, peeled, chopped,

cooked and then puréed with a little

cream and butter

METHOD

Cut the rind off the goat’s cheese and place

on a baking tray with a little rapeseed oil.

Heat the grill. In a large frying pan, fry the

mushrooms, again in the rapeseed oil, for one

minute, seasoning as you go. In another pan

cook the spinach in a little butter until soft.

Place the goat’s cheese under the grill. Spoon

some mushrooms on to each plate and then

remove the goat’s cheese from the heat and

put on the plate. Place a little beetroot purée

neatly on top, followed by the artichoke purée,

and finally a rasher of bacon.

Photography supplied by CoC

oes


Plump squashes in all shades of orange, yellow andgreen, crunchy apples fresh from Norfolk trees andwarm bread baked the night before – the autumnseason sees tables overflowing at The Green Grocers

Every season is a busy one for LukeCoathup, of The Green Grocers, in

Norwich, but with the autumn comes,not only basket loads of new fruit andvegetables, but also a spectrum of festive fare.

“It is always difficult to predict exactlywhat will arrive - and when - in theseason, as it is so weather dependent,”he admits. “This year it is hard to knowwhat will happen with the apples, forexample, we may well see the main cropcome in slightly later.

“This is the time of year when mostthings are being harvested in Norfolk,however, the kale, onions, root vegetablesand all the wonderful squashes.”

Tucked away off Earlham Road, where itruns a café, delicatessen and shop, TheGreen Grocers prides itself on its arrayof local, organic and ethically sourcedfood and other products.

It supports small producers andsuppliers, tries to keep road miles to a minimum and ensures traceability on everything it serves and sells.

“At this time of year, we also start gettinga lot of different diced meats in, whichare ideal for long, slow-cooked stews,” he says. “They can be served with localpotatoes and we even do our ownrosemary dough that can be added tostews as dumplings.”

Home-baked bread from the shop hasreally taken off in recent times and isexpected to pick up even more as theweather becomes colder and peoplestart turning to hot soups andwholesome, filling sandwiches.

“We began by baking about 25 to 30loaves a night – now we are doing 300,”

says Luke. “People like the fact there isnothing in it but flour, water, salt andyeast – there are no preservatives,provers or enhancers.”

At any one time, the shop will displaybetween 10 and 12 different types ofloaf. These can also be baked to order.

“I think people are becoming veryinterested in baking their own breadagain and are often enthused by comingalong and seeing how we have done it.In the same way as they can try dishes inour café, and then buy the ingredientshere, they can also buy everything theyneed to make bread from us,” he adds.

With the approach of Christmas, thestore shelves also start to fill up with allmanner of delicacies. Products such asBrays Cottage Pork Pies, Crush and YareValley rapeseed oil and Norfolk Preservesremain popular. The likes of NorfolkFinest Foods’ chutney and Booja-Boojachocolates also get snapped up.

“People buy these things to eat themselvesor as gifts for others,” says Luke. “We canmake up hampers and we will also bedoing a bread-making basket as a presentthis year, with everything in it you need tostart baking your own bread.”

And he adds: “We like to work closelywith Norfolk and Suffolk producers in allthese areas. It supports the local economyand ensures people can enjoy goodquality food that comes from close by.”

To order your Christmas turkey, and other meat

and poultry, as well as fruit, vegetables and

festive accompaniments, contact The Green

Grocers before Saturday, December 15.

For information about hampers, the shop and

café opening times etc call 01603 250000 or visit

www.thegreengrocers.co.uk

Win a Norfolk hamperfor this ChristmasUniquely Away has teamed up withThe Green Grocers to offer one luckywinner a sumptuous Norfolk hamperthis festive season.

This could include (subject to availability) a variety oftempting and tasty treats, such as Fielding Cottagegoat’s cheese, Brays Cottage pork pies, NorfolkPreserves’ jam, Norfolk Finest Foods’ chutney, Booja-Booja chocolates, Little Melton Gourmet Yoghurt, breadfrom The Green Grocers and other delicious cheeses,pickles and delicacies.

To enter our draw to win this magnificentprize, simply send your name, address, emailaddress and daytime telephone number to [email protected] send a postcard to Green Grocers CompetitionUniquely Away, Ferndale CentreExeter Street, Norwich, NR2 4QB

The competition closes on Saturday 15 December 2012. The winner will be informed and the hamper delivered beforeChristmas. The winner will be announced in the next issue ofUniquely Away. The usual Uniquely Magazines terms andconditions apply. For full details visit www.uniquelymags.co.uk

Season’sgreetings

mailto:[email protected]

Farm fresh, local goat’s cheese,milk and meat from our own

herd of goats. Available at farmersmarkets, delis, farm shops andrestaurants across East Anglia.

Try some... it tastes great!

Also available – goat’s milk soapand hand & body lotion; highly

recommended for eczema,psoriasis and dry skin.

For more information please call Caroline on 01953 455185, or visit our website at

www.fieldingcottage.co.uk

www.cleysmokehouse.com

http://www.gnawfolkchocolate.co.uk/


http://www.cleysmokehouse.com/


Norfolk may not berenowned for its goat’scheese but Sam Stegglesis tasting success as heintroduces food-lovers to its fine flavours

A Mature Approach

There are people out there, accordingto Sam Steggles, who have tasted

goat’s cheese abroad and decided it isnot for them.

But, he says, his Norfolk variety appealsto a very different palette.

“There are those who have tried itsomewhere like France and found it hasa strong ‘goat taste’ they are not keen on– and there are those who just have theidea they wouldn’t like it,” he says.

“But the goat’s cheese we make is verydifferent. It is flavoursome but it doesnot have that ‘goat taste,’ and people areoften very surprised when they try it forthe first time.”

Sam, who is the owner of LittleEllingham-based Fielding Cottage, is passionate about all things goat.

He loves the animals, relishes makingproducts from their milk and delights inthe success he is having as more peoplediscover the joys of goat’s cheese too.

Sam, who was born on a farm near LongStratton, in Norfolk, started the businessjust over two years ago.

“Since the age of five, all I have wantedto do is farm,” he admits. “When I was12, I was given a Jersey cow forChristmas by my parents – I looked out of the window and there she was,tied to the climbing frame!”

After school he went to agriculturalcollege but it was not until the birth ofhis first child in 2009 that he beganthinking about keeping goats.

“We went on a week’s holiday to Cumbriathat September and came home with 10goats,” he recalls. “We had done someresearch but it was pure coincidence thatthe woman who had the goats was nearto where we were staying.”

No-one else was making goat’s cheese inEast Anglia, and Sam, and his brotherBertie, who was also involved at thebeginning, realised the food product wasgrowing in popularity.

So Sam went on a cheese-makingcourse, returned home to test out hisnew skills and then booked a stall at afarmers’ market in Diss, in August 2010.

“Friends and family loved it but wethought we would see if we could sellany,” he remembers. “First we decidedto take just 10 cheeses - then we thoughtwe would fill a cool box. All the cheesessold out within a couple of hours.”

Since then, business has snowballed.The herd of 10 has grown to 250 andfrom beginning with just one variety ofcheese, Ellingham, he now has Chilliand Herbie Ellingham cheeses too, aswell as Norfolk Mardler.

“Ellingham is soft and creamy, notdissimilar to feta,” he explains. “TheMardler has been matured for eightweeks and has its own distinct flavour. Itjust melts in the mouth and is wonderfulfor grilling.”

Fielding Cottage also sells unpasteurisedgoat’s milk, as well as goat’s milk soapand hand and body lotion – and Samexpects to launch some new cheesestowards the end of the year.

“I do want to grow Fielding Cottage butI also want it to stay a family-run, localbusiness,” says Sam. “Goat’s cheese isbecoming increasingly popular, as morepeople find out about it, and perhaps tryit for the first time.

“And for us, it is something we are justenjoying more and more. It is fun toproduce the cheese and we all justabsolutely love the goats.”

For more information about Fielding Cottage

and where to buy its products visit

www.fieldingcottage.co.uk or call 01953 455185

NORFOLK VEG BOX

Fresh seasonal veg, fruit anddairy produce from a range ofNorfolk producers delivered

direct to your door

For more details or to place an order contact

01953 457393 | 07712 [email protected] | www.norfolkvegbox.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @norfolkvegbox

A Café where you can paint onto a wide range of ceramics. When finished we’ll glaze & fire your creation.

• T-Shirt & Mouse Mat painting.

• Fun for all the family.

• No artistic talent required.

• Groups & those with special needs welcome.

• Open all year.

www.stickyearthcafe.co.uk

Rare breed, free range porkwww.thefruitpigcompany.com | 0845 548 0046

Earlham House ShopsEarlham RoadNorwich NR2 3PD

01603 [email protected]

Monday to Saturday, 9am – 7pm Sunday, 10am – 4pm

Deli, café, shop & bakery

We champion local, organic and eco-friendly food and our selectionchanges with the seasons

Outside catering

Our own freshly baked bread

We also stock quiches, sausage rolls,vegan rolls, salads, hummus, readymeals and much more, all freshlymade by our chefs

O R G A N I C F O O D & D R I N K

Behind the


“I was brought up in an artistic familybut I think the first inspirations for myphotography came from black and whitefilms and the amazing lightingtechniques of the big screen.

“After realising I wanted to be aphotographer, I studied at NorwichSchool of Art, then took a BA (hons)degree in Photography at Brighton Polytechnic .

“One of my first jobs was at BBCTelevision Centre, Shepherds Bush,

shooting drama production stills of bothinterior and exterior set designs. Here Ilearned to use valuable lightingtechniques to produce quality images.

“This led on to photo journalism,including portrait photography oftelevision personalities and politicians forthe Radio Times and other publications.From there, I worked for advertisingagencies, travelling extensively, focusingon a variety of exciting projects.

“In recent years, I have relished being

freelance, following the briefs of a varietyof clients and often facing the challengeof the great British weather. Working withthe light and weather adds naturalism toany photograph. Being aware ofrepetitions, patterns, shapes and thecolour harmonies of your surroundings –and being spontaneous – is important.

“However, the weather works both foryou and against you. Most of the time isspent waiting and predicting; you haveto have a lot of patience to capture theright moment. The secret is to not shoot

Creative photographer Nick Read has a passion for his job. Here he explains why

e Camera


the obvious but wait for the unexpectedto happen.

“My passion is for creative photography.I love working outside, harnessing thecolour of the landscape. In the past fewyears I have, in addition, developed aspecialism for photographing interiorsof hotels and restaurants, for glossyhomes and interiors magazines andthose working in the property industry.

“I enjoy helping to reflect the beauty ofa space, such as the incredible Marble

Hall at Surrey House, on Surrey Street,Norwich. This is an immense room, withso much colour and decoration.

“Yet the simplicity of smaller, interior,detailed shots where you can really bringtexture and shape to light, also appealsto me hugely.

“Working on Uniquely Away has givenme the chance to explore all the areas of photography I enjoy best, producinga true variety of images, which are adventurous.

“I love getting out there exploringNorfolk and Suffolk, meeting so manyinteresting people.

“Each job is different – no two days areever the same.”

Words by Sarah Sinclair, photagraphy by Nick Read

Uniquely Away would like to thank Aviva for allowing us to take pictures

at the Marble Hall in Surrey House. This is the main entrance to Aviva’s

office complex in the heart of Norwich and can be visited by members

of the public within office hours.

For more information on Nick’s work call 07831

683125 or visit www.nickreadphotography.com

he enjoys freelance photography so much and about his work with Uniquely Away

T 01263 740947 E [email protected] W www.pinkfootgallery.co.uk

D E S I G N E R J E W E L L E R Y M A D E I N N O R F O L K

[email protected]

01603 871645

��

��

��

�� !"��#��$��%��&��"�'��(�"��"��'��'��"��)*��)+��,��-,��,��,��"�#��#��

��'�(

��,��"�#��&��$��#��'��"�%��"�,��'��'��'%��#��

��"��,��(

�.*�,',��%��'��#%/��$%/ �*��(��0!)�12*�32�!

�#��-,��4��"��'��("�#��(��"��'��("�#

http://www.westcliffegallery.com/



Rachel Lockwood has seen the light – after more than 10 years of painting, she feels her life as an artist is only just beginning

In the pictureRachel Lockwood has seen the light – after more than 10 years of painting, she feels her life as an artist is only just beginning

Exploring the woodland up on KellingHeath and watching the sunlight

shimmer through the branches, artistRachel Lockwood feels her work hasentered a new phase.

“For the last 10 years I have been paintingexactly what I want to,” she explains. “Butin a way, this seems like my beginning.

“This past year has been atransformation; it feels like everything upto this point has been about learning andgathering information – and now I havemade a leap forward.”

Rachel, who initially trained and workedas a scientific illustrator, has always knownshe wanted to focus on fine art.

“At the beginning I hated the illustrationas it was not what I really wanted to do butin the end it was the best trainingpossible. I learned the discipline ofobservation and about absolute detail.

“It was intense, however, and, after 10 years, my brain just decided it didn’t want to do it any more. That waswhen I bought my oil paints and left it all behind.”

Today Rachel lives and works in NorthNorfolk, exhibiting her work through thePinkfoot Gallery, Cley next the Sea, whichshe co-owns with Sarah Whittley.

While her work has appeared in many books – her artwork can be seen on the

front cover of best seller Brick Lane, by Monica Ali, for example – she largely pursues her passion for nature-inspired painting.

She has published her own book, NorthNorfolk: A Painted Landscape, which is presented as a diary, and featureslandscapes around the Cley area, and sheis known for her bright and bold pieces.

“I can now be completely selfish in what I do,” she admits. “My passion is colourand lines at the moment; long-leggedanimals, such as hare and deer, as well as trees.”

The trees will be a major element in herwork at her next exhibition, Seeing theLight. Here, some of her latest paintingswill be shown at Pinkfoot alongside those of her friend and fellow artist,Daniel Cole.

“Daniel lives in Cornwall but he and Ihave gone out together, exploring. Thisexhibition is about light in the landscape;the brilliant light we have here in Norfolk,the changing light and the broken lightyou find in the forest.”

Daniel, who has been an elected memberof the Society of Wildlife Artists for 10 years, shows his work in the group’sannual exhibition held at the MallGalleries, London, as well as othergalleries around the UK. In addition topaintings inspired by the landscapesaround the North Norfolk coast, he will beshowing work from Cornwall at Pinkfoot.

“Daniel and I began painting in oilsaround the same time and both now feel our work has changed a lot, so doing this together seemed a great idea,”says Rachel.

“I have really enjoyed it and am nowfinding I am getting deeper and deeperinto my work.

“It is exciting – I am building up ideas allthe time, collecting snippets wherever Igo and thinking about painting theenormous landscape we have here inNorfolk in bigger and bigger pieces.”

Seeing the Light is being exhibited at

Pinkfoot Gallery, Cley next the Sea, from

Sunday 28 October to Sunday 4 November


or visit www.pinkfootgallery.co.uk

Morning Forest L

ight with B

ullfinches by Rachel Lockw

ood

Bram

ble Ditch

by Daniel C

ole

Nick R

ead


CREATIVE INSPIRATIONSThe Gallery

Polly Miller has only recently openedThe Gallery in Cromer yet she is

already adding to the colour of NorthNorfolk’s arts scene.

After working for many years as head ofthe creative team at record label EMIClassics, and as a partner in a leadingarts marketing agency, Polly moved toCromer from London, seeking acomplete change.

“I got fed up with the commute and thehassle of living in London,” she explains.“So when my son got a place in a goodschool in Norfolk, and my sister, wholives in Cromer, said this building wasavailable, I decided to make the move.”

The Gallery opened on Church Street,in June, focusing on picture framing, aswell as contemporary art, photography,glass jewellery and glass.

Among the established paintersrepresented at the gallery are LaraBowen and Shyama Ruffell, both ofwhom work in oils and acrylic, and usestrong lines and vivid colours to captureimpressions of nature.

Natural objects are also the startingpoint for the cool elegance of DanielReynolds’s ceramics, which are regularlyspotlighted in style magazines such asElle Decoration and House and Garden.

“Part of our philosophy is to givecustomers the opportunity to enhancetheir collection with a print or a paintingby a highly respected artist,” says Polly.“We have water colourists and printmakers like Sarah McMenemy and Andy Lovell, and the wood engraverChris Wormell.”

Many of the artists have closeconnections with Norfolk and Suffolk,she adds.

“The images they produce, which are so positive and full of vitality, very muchreflect the feelings that Cromer – andNorfolk as a whole – evokes in me,” she says.

For more information on the Gallery

call 01263 515745

or visit www.thegallerynorfolk.co.uk

Alison Varley

Jewellery maker Alison Varley isrenowned for her exquisite pieces

in silver and gold.

Working from a studio in the countryside,close to Norwich and her beloved horses,she trained at Brighton Art College andthen the Royal College of Art.

“Initially I specialised in metal inlaywork that reflected the techniques usedin Japanese swords,” she explains. “I later developed what I was doing to make jewellery.”

Today Alison designs and makesjewellery in silver and gold, withparticular emphasis on exploring themany different characteristics that canbe found within the metals.

“I am influenced by line and asymmetry.I also love contrasting textures andmaking pieces that are very wearable,”she says.

All the items individually made and herwork has been widely exhibited acrossthe country. One of her most importantcommissions has been to make thedecorative finial for the staff carried by


THE ARTS SCENE IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK IS AS EXCITING AS EVER THIS AUTUMN, WITH GALLERIES

TO VISIT, EXHIBITIONS TO ENJOY AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS PRODUCING SOME INSPIRATIONAL WORK

the under sheriff of Norfolk, which wascarved and engraved in the form of theNorfolk Coat of Arms.

“I sell my work through my website and through various galleries, includingEthika, in Norwich, Flint Gallery, inBlakeney, and The Garden HouseGallery, in Cromer,” she says. “I will also be showing it at the NorfolkContemporary Craft Society’s exhibition at the Forum, in Norwich,from Wednesday 3 October to Friday 5 October.”

She adds: “I enjoy commissions and amhappy to work to other people’s ideas,within the area of my general style.”

For more information call 01603 871645 or visit

www.alisonvarleyjewellery.co.uk

The Belfry Arts Centre

In the quiet North Norfolk village of Overstrand, The Belfry Arts

Centre hosts a wide variety ofexhibitions and events.

Local, national and international artiststake part, explains artistic director Nora Gaston.

“I like to work with the local community to bring art in fromoutside,” she says. “The idea is to stretch people’s imagination.”

The centre also runs workshops, talksand arts-related events, and is home to the studios of four working artists.

In this year of the Queen’s DiamondJubilee, Nora has been leadingworkshops with primary school children,showing how to develop an idea, usesymbols and translate concepts into 3D models.

Ideas from these workshops will be forged in metal by Nigel Barnett, in the grounds of the Arts Centre, from Saturday 27 October to Wednesday7 November, and are to be displayed in an exhibition.

They will then be used in a metal andglass sculpture to be sited beside a pathused by the children and their familiesto go to and from school.

“People can find out more about ourworkshops and events on our website,”says Nora. “We like to hold exhibitionsand workshops that relate to them.”


or visit www.belfryarts.co.uk


The beautyof wood

CLEAN LINES AND CREATIVE USE OF MARQUETRY –Toby Winteringham’s pieces are contemporary, colourful,and bring out all the natural beauty of the wood


In a large workshop, close to King’sLynn, but surrounded by open fieldsand farmland, Toby Winteringham

designs and creates objects of natural beauty.

From small mirrors and trays right up todining tables and cabinets, each piece isindividually crafted in a style that is sleek,eye-catching and exquisitely tactile.

“I don’t consider myself an artist – moreof a designer and craftsman,” says Toby,who studied at the Royal College of Artand has exhibited in places as far afieldas New York, Milan and Dubai.

His unique style has been developedover the years, with inspiration comingfrom different sources.

“I remember seeing an exhibition ofShaker furniture at the Victoria andAlbert Museum in about 1974 or 1975. It was something I had never heard ofbefore and I loved the stripped downlook, the clean lines and the honesty of it.

“There was a lack of decoration, which Ialso found very appealing.”

Much of Toby’s early work was “reducedto the essential elements” but, over theyears, an increasing interest inmarquetry and a growing fascinationwith geometric patterns has seen himstart to integrate decorative techniques.

“It is something of a betrayal of where Istarted from but I do enjoy it,” he admits.

He now also collaborates with hisdaughter, Grace, a pattern designer whoworks through her London-basedstudio, Patternity.

“It has been lovely to be able to worktogether,” he says. “It has been excitingdeveloping pieces this way and findingwe are both more able to appreciatewhat the other one does.”

Toby, who has recently beencommissioned to complete much of thewoodwork and furniture for a synagoguein London, enjoys the intrinsic beauty ofdifferent woods.

“Bog oak, for example, behaves like oakbut has this wonderful colour because ithas been in an oxygen-freeenvironment,” he says.

“It is something that is indigenous toNorfolk - an oak that has been buriedfor anywhere between 2,000 and 8,000years, and which floats up to the surfaceevery so often. Part of its beauty is that itis a finite resource.”

Toby relishes the challenges presentedby different projects. He likes sittingdown with customers to discuss theirrequirements then watching how thepieces evolve. One aim now is to look atdeveloping pieces for production as wellas working on one-off commissions.

“I do like working in Norfolk, especiallyhere where it is so rural,” he says. “I lovethe big skies and the wildlife. It is a greatplace to be able to spend time and workwith wood.”

Words by Abigail Saltmarsh, photography by

Toby Winteringham, except portrait by Nick Read


or visit www.tobywinteringham.co.uk

1 FORK INLAY: this is part of a dining

table, made from American black

walnut and American black burr walnut

2 ASHDON: this is a coffee table, with

oak legs and a bog oak top. The sides

are sycamore, with coloured veneers

3 MARBLE HILL DESK: made from

sycamore, with the top in burr elm. The

darker wood is American black walnut

4 LECTERN: in elm with a bronze front,

made for the North Western Reformed

Synagogue, in Finchley, London

5 SHIFT: here Toby collaborated with his

daughter. Grace designed the

marquetry. It was created from

sycamore and dyed veneers

1 2

3

4

5

A vibrant centre for the arts in thebeautiful NorthNorfolk seasidevillage of Overstrand,

The Belfry ArtsCentre hosts aneclectic programmeof exhibitions bylocal, national andinternational artists.

The centre also runsworkshops, talks andarts-related events,and is home to thestudios of fourworking artists.G

roup

pai

ntin

g f

rom

a w

ork

sho

p

www.belfryarts.co.uk01263 576437

Toby Winteringham LtdBespoke furniture and joinery for your home

tobywinteringham.co.uk Queen Elizabeth Way King’s Lynn Norfolk PE32 1EY

The Gallery Norfolk - Inspired by sea & nature

A new gallery offering a hand-picked selection of paintings, limited edition prints, ceramics,

jewellery & gifts. Plus picture-framing service

Norfolk’s Vibrant New Gallery

THE GALLERY NORFOLK, 3 Church Street, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9EROpen 10am-5pm - Monday to Saturday · Tel. 01263 515745

www.thegallerynorfolk.co.uk


O U T W E S TTHE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ITS COUNTRYSIDE, THE CHANGING COLOUR OF THE LIGHT

ALONG ITS COAST AND THE WEALTH OF HISTORY IT OFFERS VISITORS, ALL

MAKE WEST NORFOLK A FASCINATING PLACE TO VISIT

➸


Whether you are a keenwalker, an avid historian orsomeone who simply likes to

relax on the beach, West Norfolk couldwell be the place to go to.

This undiscovered area of the countyhas its own charms and attractions, oftendistinct from those of the better knownand more popular parts of Norfolk.

While it does boast major touristattractions, such as The SandringhamEstate and Norfolk Lavender, it alsooffers quiet corners of outstanding ruralbeauty, pretty flint villages withexceptional restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, and a rich variety of smallerhistorical sites, ready to be explored.

Walking through West Norfolk is one ofthe best ways of experiencing its uniqueambience. The Peddars Way, forexample, which starts in Suffolk, atKnettishall Heath Country Park, and

follows the route of an ancient Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea, takes inparts of West Norfolk.

A wonderful place to start is Castle Acre,with its castle ruins and mound, and

remains of a priory. Now under the careof English Heritage, the original priorybuildings were inspired by themonastery at Cluny in France, and werehome to a community of monks until1537, when Henry VIII disbanded allmonastic houses.

The priory’s ruins span seven centuriesand include a beautiful 12th centurychurch, with an elaborately decoratedwest front. A herb garden has beenrecreated, with plants the monks wouldhave used for medicinal, culinary anddecorative purposes.

The Peddars Way carries on pastpicturesque Great Massingham andSnettisham, where Iron Age preciousmetals were discovered in the 20thcentury, and on through swathes ofwoodland, before reaching the sea.

Connecting with this footpath is the Nar Valley Way, which also links with


The Wash Coast Path at King’s Lynn,and takes in some impressive beautyspots along the banks of the River Nar.

History enthusiasts will also perhaps beinterested in taking some time to

explore King’s Lynn itself. Lying to thefar west of the county, before travellersmove into Lincolnshire orCambridgeshire, it has a wonderfulheritage that is often overlooked.

The town was once one of England’smost important ports. A centre fortrade, its wealth came from salt, grain,wool, wine and coal.

Today, fine examples of formermerchants’ houses still stretch down tothe river between cobbled lanes and theelegant Custom House overlooks theoriginal Medieval harbour.

Finally, spending some time in WestNorfolk on the coast is also pleasurable.Hunstanton has a lot to offer, with open,sandy beaches, rolling dunes andcolourful red, white and brown cliffs.

With its vast skies and westerly direction,this is the perfect place to relax and

unwind, and to enjoy watching the sunset at the end of an enjoyable andrewarding day out.

Words by Mary Williams

Photography supplied by Norfolk Tourism

, except main im

ages by Nick R

ead


With its overwhelmingcharacter, relaxedatmosphere and tempting

autumn menu, The Ostrich Inn is apopular resting point for those visitingCastle Acre at this time of year.

The attractive red brick building is very much part of the history of thepicturesque Norfolk village, having been astopping place for those passing throughsince as far back as the 16th century.

Close to both the castle and priory ruins,and within a stone’s throw of The Peddar’sWay, it offers hospitality to all sorts ofvisitors, from those looking for a an houror two’s relaxation to others seeking a fulldining experience or an overnight stay inone of its five welcoming bedroom suites,which can be booked online.

General manager Tiffany, who runs theestablishment along with assistantmanager Stuart Bloom, says that even

after all this time, Castle Acre still retainsa sense of hidden beauty and feels offthe beaten track.

“We are tucked away in a little piece ofparadise,” she says. “We are right in themiddle of the countryside, with so manyhistoric places close by. There are greatplaces to walk and cycle too but manyvisitors to the area don’t know we are here.

“It is a lovely part of Norfolk that is stillunknown to a lot of people.”

With its roaring open fires and glowingwood-burner, the bar at The Ostrich hasa homely appeal. Comfortable chairshave been combined with dark woodenfurniture, against a backdrop of richly-coloured, decorative walls. Guests canborrow board games, such as chess andbackgammon, and pour over them allafternoon if they wish.

“We do try to retain a traditional feel asit makes it all feel very cosy – even theRalph Lauren wallpaper has that effect!”she says. “When people come in after awalk, they immediately feel welcome.”

STAYINGINN AT THEOSTRICH

BESIDE THE PRETTY VILLAGEGREEN, IN SCENIC CASTLEACRE, THE OSTRICH EMBRACESVISITORS TO WEST NORFOLK,WITH ITS HISTORY AND CHARM


The pub serves a selection of ales,including local St Edmund’s Ale, and theexciting wine list is from Peter Graham.

The restaurant part of The Ostrich has aslightly more formal, elegant feel. Thereis also a function room, which can bebooked, as well as the garden, which canbe used when the weather is warm, andhas a sand pit for children, as well astable tennis.

“Our food is modern English,” saysTiffany. “Everything is made here andbought from well-known local suppliers.We have lots of freshly caught fish andmeat from our local butcher.”

Starters from the kitchen include thelikes of Norfolk oak smoked salmon,with granary bread and horseradishcream, as well as locally-made MrsTemple’s Binham Blue, in a salad withpear, walnut and rocket, while maincourses might be as enticing as

The Ostrich’s toad in the hole, withImpsons of Swaffham’s homemadesausages, creamy mash and gravy, or

melt in the mouth beef goulash, withbacon and bread dumpling.

The restaurant is also known for itswinter-warming traditional puddings,and its Christmas dinners, for whichbookings are now being taken.

“Head chef Kerry Asker has now finalisedour Christmas menu and we will beserving a selection of delicious dishes; two courses for £19.95 or three for£24.95, with plenty of choice,” she says.

And she adds: “In the middle of October,we will also be changing our menu forthe season. It will feature lots of warmingdishes for the autumn, including venisonstew, and other game.”

For more information or to make

Christmas bookings call 01760 755398

or visit www.ostrichcastleacre.com

Photography by Jim

Foster, except mirror and arm

chair by Nick R

ead

A N I M P R E S S I V E 1 6 T H C E N T U R Y C O A C H I N G I N N

The Ostrich has overlooked the green at Castle Acre for over four hundred years.

Today, visitors eat, drink, relax and absorb the unrivalled atmosphere, as they enjoy the inn’s unique food, wine, beer and hospitality, as well as comfortable, bright en suite rooms that come with a delicious breakfast.

[email protected] | 01760 755398 | www.ostrichcastleacre.com

The joys of the English

countryside, the wonders

of rural life, the rich,

clean air that revives

and invigorates

We are open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and for dinner Tuesday to Sunday

N ow y o u ’ v e o n ly g o t t o f i n d u s !

The Saracen’s Head is a stunning Georgian Innthat is nestled in the depths of the North Norfolk countryside

I d e a l f o r a d e l i c i o u s m e a l o r a n ig ht o r t w o a wa y !

Our head chef Mark Sayers, has spent the last 15 years here inNorfolk discovering and cooking some of the best and freshest

produce that the county has to offer. Our menus, as you canimagine, are full of delicious temptations that have grown or

been reared in this fine county. Crabs from Cromer, Lamb fromBarningham Green, Samphire from Blakeney Marsh and Beef

from Blickling. Some of the reasons we were shortlisted for theAylsham Show food heroes awards this year!

There's something for everybody whether you're out for awalk at lunchtime or out with friends for a special meal in theevening. To find out a little more then visit our website whereyou will be able to find an up to date sample menu.

Our six bedrooms were all renovated quite recently and haveall the comfort that you would hope for, large comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms with fluffy towels and lots of hot water.

For further information or to make a booking please contact us

01263 768909 | [email protected] | www.saracenshead-norfolk.co.ukThe Saracen’s Head | Wolterton | Norfolk | NR11 7LZ

Middle o f n owh e re, ce nt re o f eve rywh e re

High times ahead

forestry.gov.uk in Thetford Forest, on the B1107 between Thetford and Brandon.

Postcode: IP27 0AF. Open every day, additional charge for Go Ape. Call for more information or visit the website.

for moreCall. Open evPostcode: IP27 0AFF.

in Thetford

e information or visit the website., additional charge for Goy dayver

between Thed Forest, on the B11077 o Ape.

etford and Brandon.

vog.yrtseorf

ku.v


When the leaves are turning red andgold, and the bare branches of thetrees begin to stand out against thewintery skies, it is a perfect time toexplore the grounds of Oxburgh Hall

A WALKIN THEPARK

Imposing Oxburgh Hall may bestarting to take a gentle break fromits busy summer season but visitors

are still being invited to make the most of autumn at the 15th centurymanor house.

As well as hosting a range of indoorevents, the National Trust property isencouraging people to stroll through itsparkland and explore its woodland.

Property manager Teresa Squiresexplains the stately home, nearSwaffham, will be open from Saturday27 October 27 to Sunday 4 Novemberfor the National Trust Walking Festival.

“There will be free admission to thegardens and grounds throughout halfterm,” she says. “This is a wonderfulopportunity to enjoy the hall at this time of year.”

This will also be the last week ofopening for the moated house itselfuntil Saturday 9 March, although there


will be some one-off events in the run-up to Christmas.

She adds: “If you have never beenbefore, it would be well worth makingtime to visit the house in October.

“Oxburgh has quite an autumnal feel.As it is not huge, and is late Medievaland Victorian Gothic, it is veryatmospheric inside.

“At this time of year it also has a verydifferent light. It sits well in thelandscape and is made of red brick,which really picks up and reflects thegolden sun.

“People can also go right to the roof to see all around and take in the wider surroundings.”

The gardens, shop and tea room remainopen from 11am to 4pm at weekends,however, giving visitors a chance to dotheir Christmas shopping, relax overrefreshments and enjoy the estate.

Helen Gregory, outdoors manager atOxburgh Hall, says there is an array ofplaces to discover within the grounds.

“Oxburgh is a unique place andwonderful to visit in the autumn, with allthe colour of the trees. As well as thegarden, for example, there is the openarea known as Oak Yard and then threeseparate woodlands – The Wilderness,My Lady’s Wood and Home Covert.”

Mature, broad leaf horse chestnut, oak and ash trees present an exquisitepalette of shades in the autumn, whileevergreen conifers, such as the Atlanticcedar, look beautiful in the winter.”

And she adds: “We have our woodlandtrail with three different lengths of walkso people can enjoy the grounds here at their own pace.

“This really is a lovely place to visit atany time of year.”

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

EVENTS AT OXBURGH HALLTHIS AUTUMN AND WINTERINCLUDE

• THE SKY AT NIGHT, on Friday 26

October, from 6.30 pm to 9.30pm, when

visitors can view the giant planet

Jupiter and its bright Galilean moons

from the south terrace of the hall.

In the company of an expert, the

evening will begin with an introductory

slide show, followed by a set meal in

the tea room, then heading outside

(weather permitting) to discover the

wonders of the autumn night sky.

To book places priced £25 for adults or

£12.50 for children call 01366 327242 or

email [email protected]

• MEET SANTA at Oxburgh on Saturday

8 December and Sunday 9 December,

and Saturday 15 and Sunday 16

December, from 11am to 4pm, £4 per

child (includes a present).

For more information on

these and other events visit

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall

or call 01366 328258

Photography by Jemm

a Finch, except aerial image by M

ike Page

The meandering River Alde, thebeautiful woods of the Blackheath

Estate and the great expanses ofmarshland and reed beds - a stunningvariety of Suffolk landscapes is beingopened up to more visitors.

This autumn sees the re-launch of the Sailors’ Path, giving members of the public the chance to walk anancient route along the county’sheritage coastline.

The six-mile walk begins on the beach at Aldeburgh and passes through RSPBNorth Warren, an area of grazingmarshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland.

Where the Sailors’ Path name comesfrom is a bit of a mystery but one locallegend suggests sailors who moored at Snape Maltings to unload goodswould find their boats stuck at low tideso had to walk home to their cottages in Aldeburgh.

The path became their commuting routeand is now one of the most beautifulnatural walks in Suffolk.

Today, highlights include Aldeburgh,one of Suffolk’s most historic coastaltowns, and the Alde Estuary. There iswildlife to spot all the way and the walkends in a grand finale at SnapeMaltings, home of the world-famousSnape Proms.

The Sailors’ Path Project is one schemebeing delivered in the Suffolk Coast andHeaths Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty by Balance, a European fundedproject to address the need for visitors toconnect with nature.

UNIQUELY AWAY AUTUMN 201234

Pathway froFOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAILORS OF YESTERYEAR WHEN AN ANCIENT

UNIQUELY AWAY AUTUMN 2012 35

om the past

Funding has enabled the route to be regenerated. It now has improvedaccess and new signage, and has seenthe installation of interpretation panelsto tell the story of the path and local environment.

The scheme is also being sponsored by holiday cottage provider SuffolkSecrets, with funding from SuffolkCounty Council.

Suffolk brand manager for Visit East Anglia, Amanda Bond, says:“Suffolk is renowned for its diverserange of landscapes and, of course, its stunning coastline.

“The Sailors’ Path amalgamates all of this into one manageable walk, which not only has historic significancebut also showcases the best Suffolk has to offer.

“Plus, with Snape and Aldeburgh ateither side, it’s easy to work the Sailors’Path into a wider break to these popularseaside and cultural destinations”.

Visitors to Suffolk for the Sailors’ Pathcan also enjoy the Benjamin Brittencentenary, starting November 2012. The composer was famously attracted to Suffolk on account of its vast skies andmoody seas, and with singer Peter Pearsand writer Eric Crozier founded theAldeburgh Music Festival, whichcontinues to be held at Snape Maltings.

For more information visit www.visitsuffolk.com

ROUTE IS RE-LAUNCHED ALONG SUFFOLK’S HERITAGE COASTLINE THIS SEASON

Photographs supplied by Visit Suffolk

Gothic House Boutique bed and breakfast in NorwichRegency, Grade II listed building, set in a quiet courtyard, within walking distance of Norwich Cathedral and city centreFor room rates, special weekend deals or longer stays call 01603 631879 or visit www.gothic-house-norwich.com

Head for the Beach

Plan your getaway with Norfolk Hideaways, we have 200 coastal cottages to choose from, for that weekend hideaway, family break or boutique style escape, with live booking and lots of photographs of each property on our website, www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk, you’re sure to discover your ideal coastal holiday retreat!

http://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/

Find us in Gunthorpe, a secret treasure in the heart ofthe North Norfolk countryside.

Just eight miles from the stunning Norfolk coast andclose to beautiful Blakeney, Moreston and Holt.

17th century White Horse Farm offers a luxurious andtranquil stay at self-catering barns Blackberry, Walnut,Primrose or Cowslip, or with B&B at Sweetpea Barn.

The barns are set in stunning three-acre grounds,which boast a kitchen garden, grass tennis court anda ruin – the perfect spot for a candlelit supper.

SELF-CATERING HOLIDAYS IN LUXURY BARNS

www.white-horse-farm.co.uk | [email protected] | 01263 860693

White Horse Farm

Come in or call our fabulous reception team for more info...Ash Close, Swaffham | Tel: 01760 723845

[email protected] | www.strattonshotel.com

Luxury cottage holiday accommodation in the beauti-ful south Norfolk countryside, this sympathetic eight-barn conversion retains many original features. Eachbarn boasts its own private outdoor seating area andis situated on a working dairy and arable farm in apeaceful rural setting.

All Properties are well equipped for a real home fromhome feel. Linen and towels are included, full centralheating throughout, cooking and washing facilities,cots and highchairs for the little ones. Relax andunwind in the shared hot tub or have fun with the kidsin the onsite games room. Fitness room and soft playarea for little ones.

Perfect for families and those who enjoy walking, fish-ing, golf and cycling, the local area has much to offerfor guests of all ages.

contact Joanna Burroughs on 01502 677208 or visitwww.wheatacrehallbarns.co.uk

Terms and Conditions: Rate is based on two people sharing an inland facing room. Sea view room available at a supplement of £20. Valid from 1st Oct - 21st Dec 2012. Excludes Saturday nights subject to availability

and new reservations only.

IT’S JUBILEE YEAR SO LET US TREAT YOU LIKE ROYALTY WITH OUR CROWN & SEA OFFER, GO ON SPOIL YOURSELF!

THIS GREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES:1 night Bed and Breakfast in a wonderful double inland room

Bottle of Adnams Champagne and chocolate coated strawberries in your room on arrivalGlass of Bucks Fizz with breakfast

ALL FROM JUST £145.00 PER NIGHTTO BOOK, PLEASE CALL 01728 452720 AND QUOTE ‘UNIQUELY.’

Market Cross Place | Aldeburgh | Suffolk IP15 5BJ | E: [email protected] | www.whitelion.co.uk

FOLLOW US HERE

WINTER W

Tossing another log into the wood-burner or throwing a handful ofpine cones into the grate – there is

nothing quite as relaxing as hearing thecrackle of a real fire.

Many holiday properties in Norfolk andSuffolk entice the off-season visitor witha roaring fire while others offer invitinginteriors, where under-floor heating,heavy throws and thick rugs make anautumn or winter break tempting.

John and Louise Clark have five luxury,

17th century brick and flint barns atWhite Horse Farm, in tranquilGunthorpe, in North Norfolk.

“With log fires burning, they can be verycosy in the winter,” says John. “We aresurrounded by beautiful countryside sovisitors can walk through the gate to enjoya country walk, and perhaps watch thebirds, which can be seen all year round.

“They can then return home to a warmbarn, where the fire is going, to relaxwith a glass of wine and watch television,

or they can go to one of the superb pubsor restaurants we have in the area. Again,many of these are very welcoming inwinter, with open fires and delicious hot food.”

Holiday homes like these can be superbplaces to spend Christmas too, he adds.

“We offer a dining facility, where dinneris prepared by a chef and then deliveredto the door,” he says.

Barns such as those at White Horse


Clear blue skies above, frosty ground below and a welcoming place to return to at the

FIVE PLACES TO VISIT IN

SUFFOLK IN AUTUMN OR WINTER

• Take a walk through the gardens

and parkland grounds of the National

Trust’s Ickworth house, near

Bury St Edmunds

• www.nationaltrust.org.uk

• Make the most of a guided walk with

the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, to learn to

spot the creatures around you at this

time of year

• www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

• Visit the market town of Woodbridge,

with its pretty shops and inviting cafes

• Go on a journey through Suffolk’s past,

from the Iron Age to Romans and

Saxons at the Ipswich Museum

• www.cimuseums.org.uk

• Visit the historic Fisher Theatre in

Bungay, with its autumn and winter

concerts, family shows and film nights

• www.fishertheatre.org

Wheatace H

all Barns

Wheatace H

all Barns


WARMING

Farm, and those at North Barsham,near Walsingham, and Wheatacre HallFarm, close to Beccles, in Suffolk, havebeen carefully and stylishly decorated tooffer year-round comfort.

Joanna Burroughs, of Wheatacre HallBarns, who also offers accommodationat the high end of the market, says it wasimportant to create properties that wereappealing during the cold as well aswarm weather.

Her eight barns retain many of their

original features, such as beams, and canbe opened up on to their privateterraces in summer, while also beingwarm and welcoming in winter.

“People love the quietness we have here– in the autumn they can go for walksand see the changing countryside andthe lovely colours of the trees,” she says.

“We also make sure they are comfortableif they want to stay in; we have a softplay barn, which is great for the childrenwhen the weather is cold, a fitness barn,

with gym equipment, and an enclosedhot tub, which is wonderful when it iscold outside.”


For information on Wheatace Hall Barns

call 01502 677208

or visit www.wheatacrehallbarns.co.uk

For information on White Horse Farm Barns

call 01263 860693

or visit www.white-horse-farm.co.uk

For information on Barsham Barns

call 01328 821744

or visit www.barshambarns.co.uk

end of the day. Norfolk and Suffolk holiday homes can offer the perfect winter retreat

FIVE PLACES TO VISIT IN

NORFOLK IN AUTUMN OR WINTER

• Head to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s

Hickling Broad at dusk to see the

waders and wintering birds of prey,

including the resident flock of

common cranes

• www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

• Take the Bittern Line train from Norwich

to Sheringham, and have seaside stroll,

followed by a warming plate of fish

and chips

• www.bitternline.com

• Soak up the beauty of the surroundings

at Thetford Forest, on foot or by bicycle,

and look out for winter wildlife

• www.forestry.gov.uk

• Enjoy the crisp fresh air during a

game of golf on one of the county’s

fine courses

• Spend the afternoon in vibrant Norwich

with its shopping centres, department

stores and many independent shops

White H

orse Farm B

arns

White H

orse Farm B

arnsB

arsham B

arns


Far from themaddingcrowd

Hetti Simpson had arange of jobs beforeshe launched NorfolkHideaways – and sheadmits she had no ideaat the time just howquickly it would grow

It is hard to pin Hetti Simpsondown – when she’s not haringacross Norfolk to check on her

latest picture postcard flint cottage, she could be visiting a converted barn,bakery or chapel.

Hetti, who has owned and run NorfolkHideaways since 2009, specialises inmarketing select holiday homes, whichare situated along the coast, betweenCromer and Heacham.

“We have everything from a pretty beachhut up to beautiful period homes thatsleep 14,” she says. “We only take onproperties that are of a high standardand are in perfect locations for thosestaying in the area.”

Hetti admits she is passionate about herjob and still seems surprised at howquickly it has snowballed.

“I had a business recycling mobilephones before,” she explains. “Wecollected them for charities, refurbishedthem and sold them on. Before that Iwas a recruitment consultant.

“I was looking for a new business toopen up and so collaborated on this andthe deli in Thornham with a businesspartner. We then decided she would takethe deli and I would have NorfolkHideaways.”

To get a feel for the holiday lets business,and to have a good-sized property onthe books, Hetti moved out of her ownNorth Norfolk home for a spell.

“From there it just grew like topsy!” she

says. “It has been incredible. Today wehave almost 200 properties on the booksand that number is increasing all the time.”

At the beginning, the focus was on thestretch of coast between Heacham andWells-next-the-Sea, but Hetti’s successhas seen geographical expansion as well.

“We do now go down to Sheringham andCromer but I think that will be it,” shesays. “We are a small team of just four orfive people working at any one time andwe all know the properties pretty well. We want to be able to maintain that.”

While she is careful to ensure herproperties are up to a high quality, shealso puts much of her success down tothe enduring attraction of the county.

“We have wonderful countryside andbreath-taking beaches here; you don’thave to be a birdwatcher to enjoy goingout on the saltmarshes.

“The food is great and we have goodshopping too,” she says.

And she adds: “People come in thespring and summer but autumn andwinter are wonderful times of year tovisit too. This is when you can get outexploring and practically have the wholebeach to yourself.

“This is when you can be far from themadding crowd.”

For more information on Norfolk Hideaways

call 01485 211022

or visit www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk

RELAX ON THE SUFFOLK COAST

A short drive from Aldeburgh, the charming seaside village of Thorpeness has the traditional atmosphere of a time gone by.

Perfect for short breaks throughout the year, choose from our stylish selection of 4 star self-catering properties or our 3 star hotel.

Play golf on our award-winning coastal heathland course or dine in our restaurant or relaxed patio bar. Al fresco dining during the Summer. Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea,

dinner and traditional Sunday lunch.

Follow us here:

www.aldeburghbayholidays.co.uk www.thorpeness.co.uk

Lakeside Avenue, Thorpeness, IP16 4NH.

01728 452176 [email protected]

Clippesby HallNorfolk Broads Holiday Cottages, Lodges & Family Touring and Camping Park

Celebrate Christmas and New Year in our superbly appointed Pine Lodges or Cottages in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.01493 367800 | [email protected] | www.clippesby.com

Exquisite NorfolkfarmhouseFor luxury breaks01263 1234 | www.norfolkfarmhouse.co.uk

Exclusive converted barnsSelf-catering, celebrations or corporate eventsPlease contact Jenny or Michelle on 01328 [email protected] | www.barshambarns.co.uk

A 14th century coaching inn situated in the picture perfect hamlet of Ingham

Renowned for its fine dining and modern British cuisine

Five cosy en-suite rooms available

SEA PALLING ROAD, INGHAM, NORFOLK, NR12 9AB

[email protected] | 01692 581099 | www.theinghamswan.co.uk


Strolling in the sunshine through thestreets of Lavenham, visitors absorb the

unique ambience of the English village andenjoy a sense of walking through the past.

Renowned for its exquisitely preservedMedieval buildings, the Suffolk centre hasa fairytale-like feel, where its crooked, andoften colourful, timber-framed buildingscould almost be a stage set or backdrop toa costume drama.

The village is thought to date back toSaxon times but it was in the 15th and16th centuries that it prospered and reallygrew into what it is today.

Indeed, in the Tudor period it was one ofthe wealthiest places in the country, with itsfamous coarse broadcloth, known asLavenham Blue, exported across Europe.

Today, visitors to the village can find outmore about its past by spending time atThe Guildhall, on Market Place.

Built by the Guild of Corpus Christi, oneof three guilds founded in Lavenham to

regulate the wool trade, this was once animportant meeting place and remains oneof the most impressive of the many historicbuildings in Lavenham.

Over the years, it has also been a town hall,prison and workhouse. Today it housesexhibitions on local history, farming andindustry, and the story of the growth ofLavenham as a centre for wool trade.

One of the best ways to explore Lavenhamis on foot. A number of circular walksweave through the streets, passing many of the historic sites.

Along the way, visitors will find an array ofgalleries, boutiques and antique shops.

There are places to stay, and to enjoy fine dining.

For those visiting in the autumn or winter,there are places to come into the warmth,and revive themselves by flames in thesame inglenook fireplaces that thosepassing through Lavenham hundreds ofyears ago would have rested by.

For information on Lavenham and the surrounding area visit www.visitsuffolk.com

For information on Lavenham Guildhall visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

PAST AND PRESENTWith its beautiful buildings and overwhelming charm,

Lavenham is the perfect place to spend an autumn afternoon


Among the interesting shops andgalleries to visit in Lavenham

is Marshbeck Interiors.

Set in a converted chapel, it was setup by Terry and Shirley Marshall, andis now managed by their son Stuart.

“We supply high quality, reproductionfurniture from different periods,” heexplains. “The aim is to support localspecialists; those who have traditionalfurniture-making skills that mightotherwise be lost.”

The fascinating showroom is anAladdin’s cave of treasures, withpieces ranging from Georgian andRegency styles through to Art Deco.

The finely crafted items of furniturecome in all sizes, from sizeablebureaus and dining tables down toornate children’s chairs. The shop alsostocks small, traditional-style gifts,beautifully made in wood and metal.

“Lavenham is all about preservingthe past,” says Stuart, who as acabinet-maker, creates some of theitems himself.

“And what can’t be preserved can be recreated, as long as the sameskills can be retained and passed on to others.”

For more information about Marshbeck

Interiors call 01787 247548 or visit

www.marshbeckreproductionfurniture.co.uk

At home in Lavenham

Photography by Nick R

ead


As Nick Thomson stands at the topof his Suffolk vineyard he can see

the grapes ripening on the vines belowhim and his orchard heavy with apples.Running Lavenham Brook Farm hasbeen a dream come true for Nick, whoalso has a herd of prize-winningpedigree Red Poll cattle, and a flock ofSuffolk sheep.

“In the early 1960s I used to come uphere with my mother, looking for aholiday cottage. There were Red Pollseverywhere, and I thought they wereabsolutely stunning,” recalls Nick, whoworked as an insurance under-writer inthose days.

“I then moved to the area myself, toMonks Eleigh, in 1971, and thenLavenham in 1985 and still found themwonderful animals.

“Then, when I was coming up toretirement, I started looking for landfor a fishing lake, and discovered theonly one available in the area came with80 acres of arable land. I wonderedwhat I could do with the rest of the landand realised that the answer was to raiseRed Polls myself.”

Nick chose nine breeders, with threecalves and, with the help of farmmanagers Denise and Chris Thomas,went on to grow the herd to 75.

“Our animals are respected and caredfor,” he says. “They have grass-baseddiets and only have to travel about fivemiles to be butchered at Long Melford.The meat is hung in whole sides for theoptimum time to develop its flavourand ensure exceptional tenderness. It is delicious.”

Today, the farm has expanded to cover atotal of approximately 150 acres, three ofwhich now comprise an orchard. Thishas also been lovingly developed, withNick choosing to plant rare varieties, andopting for aesthetics over cost-efficiency.

“One of the things I am so pleased tohave achieved here is to have broughtthe countryside back to the way it was,with grassland either side of the river,”he says.

“This is a beautiful valley and how thefarm looks is very important to me. Sowith the apples, for example, we didchoose to grow them on open centredtrees – you cannot grow so many butthey look so much more attractive.”

Eight different varieties of heritageapple are grown on the farm – Adam’sPearmain, Kidd’s Orange Red, Laxton’sFortune, D’Arcey Spice, Ribson Pippin,Worcester Pearmain and Tydeman’sLate Orange. All are used for juicing.

IN THE HEART OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTRYSIDE,VINEYARD IS PRODUCING GRAPES THAT ARE

R A I S I N G


“Some of these used to be the mostfantastic eating apples but people haveforgotten about them as they tend notto be chosen by the big supermarketsbecause they are not the right size.Knowing we are growing them andpeople are enjoying the juice is verysatisfying,” says Nick.

What has been even more thansatisfying, however, has been the successof the Lavenham Brook Vineyard,which he started back in 2003.

Now growing on approximately 10acres of his beautiful farmland, arevines bearing his award-winningBacchus and Pinot Noir grapes.

“We went for these varieties becausethey are very good and we knew wewould be able to sell them,” heexplains. “When we made the first fewbottles as a bit of an experiment, we hadno idea how the wine would taste but itwas very good.”

The Lavenham Brook Bacchus 2010was, in fact so good that it scooped agold medal in the UK VineyardsAssociation’s Wine of the Year in both2011 and 2012, while the LavenhamBrook Pinot Rosé won a silver.

Also producing the Lavenham BrookSymphony and a sparkling wine, Nickfeels the vineyard has great potentialand could, once fully developed, becapable of producing up to 30,000bottles a year.

“We are thrilled with how it has gone.We sell it through some local shops, aswell as at shows and via our ownwebsite. We also sell it at our shop here -at the farm gate or by the cellar door,”he jokes.

Lavenham Brook Farm is a commercialoperation, but it is one with a heart. Nickrefuses to compromise on his passion forlooking after the land around him – andif that means everything takes a littlelonger or is a little more labourintensive, then so be it.

“We have created large amounts ofhedgerow as we have gone along, put inan otter holt and added lots and lots ofowl boxes,” he says. “We now havewildlife here in abundance.

“Rearing the cattle, keeping the sheep,and growing the apples and grapes, hasallowed us to do that. It is exciting to beproducing wine now but putting theland back to how it was has also beenextremely rewarding.”

Words by Abigail Saltmarsh, photography by Nick Read

For more information on Lavenham Brook Farm

or to order produce, including the

award-winning wine, call 01787 248590

or visit www.lavenhambrook.co.uk

CLOSE TO ATTRACTIVE LAVENHAM, A SMALLBEING MADE INTO AWARD-WINNING WINE

A G L A S S

Lavenham Village HallLavenham Village Hall and Events Centre is available

for hire for weddings, christenings, parties, corporate days,meetings, lectures and much more...

We are also home to a wide range of local groups, badminton, bowls, table tennis, Scouts and youth groups,

spinners & weavers and art clubs with many others.

There is also a very successful Farmers’ Market held on the last Sunday of every month.

For more information please contact Jacqui Hobbs

01787 248599 | [email protected]

www.lavenhamvillagehall.comLavenham Village Hall, Church Street, Lavenham, Suffolk, CO10 9QT

Close to the medieval village of Lavenham, in beautiful, rolling Suffolk countryside

We have 10 acres of vineyards with more than 10,000 vines producing our award-winning Bacchus and Pinot Noir wines

From our heritage orchard, we produce specialist apples and juices

Our pedigree Red Poll cattle and Suffolk sheep, grown slowly on ancient pastures in Lavenham and Brent Eleigh,

provide tasty, succulent beef and lamb

All our products are available at Brook Farm

We are always here to serve you on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and at most other times

If you are making a special trip to visit us, please call us to ensure we can meet you

Lavenham Brookw i n e s & p r o d u c ev i n e y a r d . o r c h a r d . r e d p o l l c a t t l e . s u f f o l k s h e e p

Brook Farm, Cock Lane, Brent Eleigh, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9PB01787 248 590 | [email protected] | www.lavenhambrook.co.uk

http://www.marshbeck.co.uk/

The Perfect Venue For Your Perfect Event!With the award-winning state-of-the-art facilities of the recently

restored Pennoyer Centre on your doorstep, you need look no further

for a welcoming local venue to host a wedding, party or gathering.

Likewise you need look no further if you’re a business seeking

inspiring and flexible facilities for a meeting, conference or event.

The Perfect Café For Your Perfect Coffee!And if you’re looking for somewhere special to relax with a drink or a

bite to eat, enjoy a visit to The Café @ Pennoyer (open daily Mon-Sat)

which is fully licensed, with free Wi-Fi.

Tel: 01379 676660 [email protected]

Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk IP21 4QT

www.exploresouthwold.co.uk/lancastercourt/

Tel: 07624 496923 Email: [email protected]

SOUTHWOLD Suffolk Holiday Apartment 54b Lancaster Court

Stylish 3 bed apartment with a contemporary twist

your place?

or ours

catering throughout East Anglia bringing you our well-known standards of award-winningEvents • Weddings • Parties

“...a chic retreat... superb food... secret Suffolk hideaway...” The Times ‘Cool Hotel Guide’ October 2010

National ‘Pub with Rooms’ Award Alastair Sawday’s Guides 2010

The Crown at Woodbridgeboutique townhouse inn and stylish outside catering

Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1ADTelephone 01394 384242 | www.thecrownatwoodbridge.co.uk | www.bespokebythecrown.co.uk

Some say it was first licensed in the 1420s – others date it from

the 16th century.

But, overlooking Market Place, oppositeThe Guildhall, The Angel Hotelpromises divine dining and a celestialstay, however old it might really be.

The former coaching inn, one of themany historic buildings in attractiveLavenham, was taken over by celebritychef Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s last year.

Before opening, it was refurbishedinside, and given a similar style as other restaurants in the group, explainsgeneral manager Rob Jackson.

But the dark colours, and contrastingblack and white David Baileyphotography, is a look that suits the character-filled Angel.

“Marco came down for the opening andto see the restaurant established,” heexplains. “The menu, which is very meat

and fish driven, is always extremelyimportant to him. They are all his ownrecipes; designed around seasonalproduce, and largely created with what is available in Suffolk.”

He adds: “Lavenham has somewonderful restaurants and the openingof Wheeler’s has meant there is nowanother great place for people to comefor an evening meal or Sunday lunch.”

While also known for its extensive list of old and new world wines, The Angelhas retained its image as a local pub aswell. Those living nearby, and visitingLavenham, often stop by the bar toorder a pint of local beer or Marco’s own brew, The Governor ale.

Upstairs at the hotel are nine en suitebedrooms, some of which have a viewout on to Market Place and are beamed.Those staying here can also enjoy ahome-cooked breakfast.

“We will have a full Christmas menu thatMarco will be announcing closer to the

A TASTE OF MARCO

Dishes on the menu might include

HORS D’OEUVRES

Brandade of fine quality smoked mackerel,with fresh horseradish and toast Melba

Hot foie gras, fried duck egg en brioche and Merlot vinegar

MAIN COURSE

The Governor’s steak and ale pie, with swede purée

Smoked haddock, grain mustard, beurre blanc, poached egg

DESSERTS

Mr White’s rice pudding prunes d’Agen à L’Armagnac

Classic bitter chocolate mousse

Overlooking Market Place, in historic

Lavenham, Marco Pierre White’s restaurant

Wheeler’s is part of The Angel Hotel

A heavenly host


time,” says Rob. “People have alreadystarted booking.”

The Angel, which also has a garden for guests to enjoy when the weather iswarm enough, is run by local staff, whoare knowledgeable about the area, andcan suggest superb places for visitors toSuffolk to explore.

“Lavenham is only an hour away fromLondon so it is a great place to visit for a day, a weekend or longer,” says Rob.

“With its superb architecture, andinteresting history, it is a fascinatingplace to see.

“And for us to be in such a beautifullocation, right on Market Place, oppositeThe Guildhall, is just wonderful.”

Photography by Nick Read

For more information on Marco Pierre White’s

Wheeler’s at The Angel call 01787 247388

or visit www.wheelersangel.com

Your chance to

stay at The

Angel Hotel and dine at Marco Pierre White’s

Wheeler’s

Uniquely Away has teamed upwith The Angel Hotel and

Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s to offer one lucky reader a stay for two nights at the exclusive

restaurant and welcoming hotel.

The winner of our competitionwill be able to enjoy a Friday andSaturday night bed and breakfast

break for two at the hotel, as well as a meal for two,

with a bottle of wine, at the Marco Pierre White restaurant.

To enter our draw to win thismagnificent prize, simply send yourname, address, email address and

daytime telephone number to

[email protected]

or send a postcard to ANGEL COMPETITION

Uniquely AwayFerndale Centre

Exeter StreetNorwich

NR2 4QBThe competition closes on Saturday 15 December 2012.

The winner will be announced in the next issue of Uniquely Away. The usual Uniquely Magazines terms and conditions apply.

For full details visit www.uniquelymags.co.uk




Wrought Iron and Brass Bed CoAND


www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk

All of our wrought iron, brassand nickel beds are handmade

in Norfolk by a team ofcraftsmen using traditional

construction techniques. We are a family company that

specialise in designing andcreating beds with the beauty

and strength to become afamily heirloom with a lifetime

construction guarantee.

The Children’s Bed Company

Commissions happily undertaken

01263 821538www.realstonesofsheringham.com

[email protected] www.facebook.com/realstonesofsheringham

RealstonesO F S H E R I N G H A M

Unique hand-made jewellery using stunning gemstones,freshwater pearls and crystals all lovingly wrapped

in silver plated, gilt or copper wire

Advertise with usShowcase your business, event or attraction to those visiting Norfolk and Suffolk

Entice those living elsewhere in the country and further afield to book a break

Uniquely Away is distributed across Norfolk andSuffolk, as well as London and the Home Counties

Our beautiful, online, page turning version is search engine optimised

Customers anywhere in the world can click straight through to your website

Call us on 01603 926114or email [email protected]

Into the WildAS THE WEATHER TURNS COLDER, AND THE COUNTRYSIDE CHANGES

AROUND US, IT CAN BE AN EXCITING TIME TO WATCH THE WILDLIFE


➸


According to David North, headof people and wildlife at theNorfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk

and Suffolk offer magnificentopportunities for wildlife watchingthroughout the year.

“However, at this time, when birds arriveto winter here, it can be quite aspectacle,” he says. “The winter is agreat time to look out for any flocks ofbirds, in fact. This is when they oftenroost as a community, keeping togetherfor warmth.”

He suggests daytime coastal trips toareas of marsh and wetland, and a

sunset visit to Hickling Broad, where anumber of exciting species can be seen.

And he adds: “As the countrysidebecomes more open in the autumn andwinter, it also becomes easier to seeanimals out in the forest and fields.These may be creatures that are alwayshere but we rarely see them when thereis a lot of foliage.”

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE

One third of the world’s populationwinter here. They have pink feet and legs. Spot them at Cley Marshes, in particular.

RED DEER

Despite being Britain’s largest landmammal, this is rarely sighted. This isrutting season at Minsmere for thelargest free-roaming herd in England

BRENT GOOSE

This is a small, dark goose. Largenumbers can be seen in the Wash andout on the saltmarshes. These arrivehere from Russia in about October.

BROWN HARE

Although these long-limbed, fastcreatures are always with us, this is agreat time to catch sight of them out in the fields.

1

2

3


MARSH HARRIER

Once endangered, these birds, withtheir long tails, are quite a spectacle atMinsmere, North Warren, StrumpshawFen and Hickling Broad.

CHINESE WATER DEER

This is a small deer, with large roundedears that give it a bear-like appearance.Look out for it in and around The Broads.

GOLDEN PLOVER

This medium-sized plover forms largeflocks at this time of year and flies intight formation with rapid, twinklingwing beats above the fields.

ROE DEER

Grey, pale brown or, occasionally, black,in the winter, this deer can be seen infields or woodland and is more visible at this time of year.

WIGEON

This is a medium-sized duck with around head and small bill. It joins otherlarge flocks of wintering ducks in thecoastal wetlands.

STOAT

Look out for it when it is “in ermine” orits coat goes white in winter. This part ofthe country is thought to be right at thesouthern edge of where this occurs.

Words by Mary Williams, photography: Mute swan

by Nick Read, Brent geese by Alan Price, Roe deer by

Tim Lake, Brown Hare by Julian Thomas, Chinese

water deer by Tim Lake, Golden plover by Elizabeth

Dack, Marsh Harrier by Nick Appleton, Pink-footed

geese by Ralph Neale

For more information visit

www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

www.rspb.org.uk

1 Brent geese

2 Roe deer

3 Red deer

4 Marsh harrier

5 Chinese water deer

6 Wigeon

7 Brown hare

8 Pink-footed geese

9 Golden plover

4

5

6

7

8

9

B R O A D ATHE FORMER MILL KEEPER’S COTTAGE WAS RIGHT AT THE HEART OF THE BEAUTIFUL BROADS AND HAD

Sitting on the banks of the River Ant,next to a Grade II listed windmill,

the cottage was part of the picturepostcard scene relished by those passingHunsett Mill on the water, as well asothers living in the environs.

So when the current owners of theproperty bought it in 2004, with a viewto renovating and extending it, theyknew the project had to be carried outwith care.

“We kept it as it was for a short while,”explains Joanna Emery, one of theowners. “It had been extended in thepast but we later decided to take it rightback to the original building and then toenlarge it in a very different way.”

Close to the village of Stalham,upstream from Sutton Broad, thehistoric building was right at the heart ofBritain’s largest nationally protectedwetland, and was surrounded byconservation land.

Dating back to 1860, the cottage hadbeen home to the keeper of the mill,which was used for pumping water. In1900, the advent of electricity renderedwind powered pumps obsolete, andsince then the house has been used as aprivate residence.

“It has, however, remained an importantpiece of history, and while we wanted todo something cutting edge, we also hadto come up with a design that protected

the image of the cottage and thewindmill,” she explains.

The owners brought in internationalfirm of architects ACME, who came upwith a unique design that went on to winawards including the Royal Institute ofBritish Architects Manser Medal 2010,for the best new house in UK, and aCampaign to Protect Rural EnglandNorfolk Award, also in 2010.

Director Friedrich Ludewig says it was a unique project.

“Every project is interesting andchallenging but this one was quitespecial. It was in such a beautiful positionand we had to somehow ensure the mill


P P R O A C HTO BE RESTORED AND EXTENDED WITH RESPECT FOR ITS HISTORY AND SYMPATHY TO ITS SURROUNDINGS

and the cottage were kept looking asthey always had done,” he explains.

The solution they came up with was to create an extension that is hiddenbehind the main cottage as peopleapproach from the water. Shadow-like, it then seems to unfold from behind it.

“In Norfolk, in the past, buildings ofgreat importance were made in flintwhile those of lesser significance wereclad in dark wood. We, therefore,designed it to be black so it would notstand out, and to make it appear as ifthe original house was repeating itself.”

Today, Hunsett Mill has five bedroomsand, when the owners are not using it as

a second home themselves, it is let to holidaymakers.

The four-storey windmill, which has also been repaired and renovated, hasfour floors inside, with circular rooms.At present these are empty but theowners are considering converting them in the future.

The cottage itself now has a clean,modern interior, which moves seamlesslybetween the old and the new areas, andpresents a feeling of space and light.

“Inside, the house is simple butcomfortable,” says Joanna.

“We do love the juxtaposition of the old

and the new. The house has the cosinessof the old cottage as well as the airinessof the new part.

“We are pleased with what has beenachieved – we did not want to try toreproduce a building that was old butrather to create something that wasmodern and interesting, and that didnot look out of place.”


For more information on Hunsett Mill

call 01485 211022

or visit www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk

or www.hunsettmill.co.uk

For information on ACME visit www.acme.ac

Photography supplied by A

CM

E


The White Horse

Brancaster Staithe • Norfolk • PE31 8BYT 01485 210262reception@whitehorsebrancaster.co.ukwww.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk

A taste of north Norfolk living

A bird brewing beer!

Nestled in rural Norfolk, The Old Store on the Barsham Estate is host to Jo C’s Norfolk Ale Brewery.

Walsingham Road West Barsham,

Fakenham Norfolk.

NR21 9NP

Tel: 01328 863854

[email protected]

Where Norfolk Real Ale Returns To Its Roots

We sell over 50 bottle conditioned real alesproduced by over 15 local Norfolk brewers

The shop is located on a classic maltingbarley farm from which the brewers draw

much of their malt

The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB

Located on the B1105 Fakenham to Wells road (Two miles before Wells) Look for our signs!

01328 710810Shop online at: www.therealaleshop.co.uk/norfolk

Winner of the EDP Food Awards, Plough to Plate

CAMRA Best Independent On-line Retailer Award 2008

http://www.jocsnorfolkale.co.uk/


Against the dramatic backdrop of the marshes, and with the freshest seafood

arriving on the flats below, where better to enjoy a locally brewed pint than Brancaster?

B R A N C A S T E R A T I T S B E S T

➸


Strolling through the restaurant,and out on to the terrace, visitorsto The White Horse, at Brancaster

Staithe, often just stop to stare.

Before them, lies the most magnificentpanorama – the creeks, the saltmarshesand then the sea.

It is in this breath-taking setting thatJames Nye and his family have launchedtwo acclaimed establishments and nowrun their own micro brewery, supplyingthem both with local ale.

The White Horse is an award-winninginn, with 15 en suite bedrooms, and anextensive restaurant menu, featuring arange of local produce.

Just a short walk away is The JollySailor’s, a character-filled, 18th centuryfamily pub, renowned for its dishes, suchas fish and chips, Cromer crab andsmoked prawns.

“My father’s family had a caravan hereand so he always spent his summers andother holidays in this part of Norfolk,”says James, whose family is based in Hertfordshire.

“It was always somewhere he loved; the people, the fishermen and the landscape.”

Cliff Nye, who runs Anglian CountryInns, inherited the caravan and thenwent on to buy a cottage, followed by The White Horse and then The Jolly Sailor’s.

The White Horse was renovated andextended, completely transforming itsappearance. At the back, eight architect-designed en suite rooms were added,and were given sloping sedum roofs, toallow them to blend in with thespectacular landscape.

“My father loves good food. He wantedto create a place where people could staycomfortably and we could serve dishes

with ingredients that were fresh from thesea. At this time of year we have musselsand then there are the oysters – and itall comes in from the back garden!”

With the purchase of The Jolly Sailor’s,the Nye family found themselves adding locally made ale to their already broad offering.

“It came with a brewery but we hadn’t aclue how to make beer,” James admits.“We were going to close it down whenwe met Teddy Maufe, who grows barleyat Branthill Farm, and he encouraged usto give it a go.”

So James hired a brewer and togetherthey began to develop recipes for new ales.

“I suddenly found myself very enthusiastabout it,” he says. “I gained more andmore understanding as we workedthrough the recipes, and I soon realisedhow well it fitted in with running a pub.”


The first beer to be developed wasBrancaster Best; then came OysterCatcher, The Wreck and Malthouse. Mostrecently, Sharpie has been launched.

Today, the beers can be bought by the bottle or on tap at The Jolly Sailor’sand The White Horse. Bottles are also available at several other outlets in Norfolk.

“They do go very well with the food we offer here,” he goes on. “OysterCatcher, for example, is particularlygood with mussels, while The Wreckgoes well with wintery dishes, such asvenison stew, which is made with meatfrom Houghton Hall.”

The whole operation will remain afamily business, insists James. Hismother Tina focuses on the interiordesign, his sister Gemma does artworkfor the walls of the establishments andhis brother Howard runs one of theHertfordshire businesses.

“We do have an appetite for morebusinesses, particularly up here inNorfolk,” he says. “But we will only growwhen we are ready - and take somethingon if it feels right. We do love it up here,so if there is a fantastic opportunity, wewill have to see what happens.

“There is something captivating aboutthis place. You just do not get the hugeskies and the open beaches anywhereelse – it has something very special.”

Photography by Nick Read


Brancaster Brewery call 01485 210314

or visit www.brancasterbrewery.co.uk


The White Horse call 01485 210262

or visit www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk

For more information on The Jolly Sailor’s

call 01485 210314 or visit www.jollysailors.co.uk

JAMES’S BEER TASTING NOTES

BRANCASTER BEST

So named because of the location of

the brewery, this is a session ale, with

a hoppy flavour and citric taste

OYSTER CATCHER

Called after the wading bird, this is a

premium drinking beer, with a golden

colour, which is slightly stronger

THE WRECK

With its name inspired by the wreck

on Brancaster beach, this is a darker,

heavier beer, with fruity notes, which

warms the cockles in winter

MALTHOUSE

So named because the biggest

malthouse in the country was located

in Brancaster in the 1800s, this is a

malty, mid-strength beer

SHARPIE

Called after the boat that James and

Cliff enjoy sailing, this has a bitterness

and piquancy that gives it an

interesting taste

Pull up a bar stool at any pub inNorfolk selling real ale and you are

likely to find at least one pump with alocal name on it.

The county is becoming known for itsbeer – and it is not just the big breweryales that are being drawn from the cask.

Right across Norfolk, smaller operationsare busy brewing up, serving their owntipples, made to carefully developedrecipes, which they are then sending out by the barrel-load for beer drinkersto enjoy.Teddy Maufe runs BranthillFarm, on the Holkham Estate, where henot only grows much of the barley usedbut also sells the beer made from it atThe Real Ale Shop.

“North Norfolk has the perfect microclimate for growing barley,” he explains.“We get the cooling effect from theNorth Sea in the summer, which delaysthe natural ripening process and givesthe barley a better quality.

“The other 50 percent of the equation is the soil we have here. It is a light,sandy loam over chalk, which again is just perfect.”

So good is the quality of the Maris Otterbarley grown in Norfolk, in fact, that it is sent as far afield as California, as wellas to major national breweries, such as Young’s.

“We grow about 400 tonnes a year hereand 100 of those go to the microbreweries,” says Teddy. “The barley issent from here to Crisp Malting, atnearby Great Ryburgh, and then itcomes back to the farm as malt. Themicro breweries come here to collect itand deliver their beer for the shop atthe same time. It comes full circle.”

At The Real Ale Shop, and through itswebsite, beers can be bought by thebottle or box. A Trail Blazer box, with a mixture of beers, can be put togetheror customers can pick and mix to theirown tastes.

“This winter we hope to introduce somebespoke beers as well,” he adds. “Thesewill be limited edition runs from localbreweries that will be really quite special.

“They will almost become collector’sitems - although obviously we do hope people will drink and enjoy them as well!”

Words by Sarah Sinclair

For information on The Real Ale Shop call

01328 710810 or visit www.therealaleshop.co.uk


The real worldWith its ideal soil conditions, and perfect barley growing climate,it is no wonder Norfolk is becoming known for its micro breweries.

Nick R

ead


“I started out as a primary schoolteacher and then we bought the CrownHotel, at Wells, and I went on to workthere,” explains Jo, who is married toTV chef Chris Coubrough.

“After having my children, however, I began to think about whether therewas something else I could do – and,after talking to lots of people, thoughtrunning a brewery could offer me the opportunity to do something very different.”

Jo spent time watching expert brewersbefore carrying out her own researchand taking a course. She then launchedJo C’s Norfolk Ale and rented space inanother brewery for a year beforesetting up on her own in West Barsham.

“I now brew Norfolk Kiwi and BitterOld Bustard,” she explains.

“Chris likes to tell people that one ofthem is named after him – it is, in fact,the Norfolk Kiwi! The bustard is a birdthat became extinct in this country andwas reintroduced.”

Jo brews once a week, producing 10barrels, which she sells in firkins andmini-casks.

She supplies all the Flying Kiwi Inns’pubs, as well as others in East Anglia,the Midlands and the north of England.

“I also take it to beer festivals; I wonthe bronze award with Norfolk Kiwi atthe Norwich Beer Festival last year,”she says.

She continues: “Norfolk is a wonderfulplace to brew because the Maris Otterbarley is grown right here. We havesome delicious beers here and they alltaste very different.

“I always think of it like making a cake.If you ask several people all to make aVictoria Sponge, they will each use thesame ingredients but follow differentrecipes and cook it in different ways –and so each will end up with a cakethat tastes very different.”

Words by Sarah Sinclair

For information on Jo C’s Norfolk Ale

call 01328 863854 or

visit www.jocsnorfolkale.co.uk

This autumn sees the Norwich BeerFestival celebrate its 35th anniversary

– and to mark the occasion some 200cask-conditioned real ales will be on offer.

Martin Ward, who organises theCampaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) eventthat takes place at St Andrew’s andBlackfriars’ Halls, expects up to 20,000people to stop by to sup a little.

“It is a big event, which has grownsignificantly over the years,” he says. “Wehave a fair range of beers from acrossEast Anglia, as well as a good numberfrom Norfolk and Suffolk breweries.

“People like to sample an ever-increasing range of beers so we do bringthem in from across the country too – weonce even had a beer from Shetland.”

He goes on: “But we are lucky here to berich in breweries. There are nearly 30 inNorfolk and around 20 in Suffolk, whichgives people a good choice.”

The beer festival runs from Monday 29October to Saturday 3 November, andwill also feature a range of traditionalciders and perries.

There will be live music, tasting sessionsand information about brewingprocesses. Food will also be available.

“It is a chance for people to visitNorwich, have something to eat andenjoy sampling all the different beers,”says Martin. “We try to make each year a little different and to ensure everyonewho comes enjoys what we have on offer.”

For more information about the Norwich Beer

Festival visit www.norwichcamra.org.uk

Brewing up Drawingthe crowds

Jo Coubrough is relatively new to the Norfolk brewing scenebut already her real ale has become a talking point at the bar.

Art Tuitionin South Norfolk

South Norfolk Art CentreWacton Common, near Long Stratton

2 and 4 day classes in watercolour, oil, pastel, acrylic inks and all drawing mediums – limited to a maximum of 10 people

Experienced tutors Sue Williams and John Shave offer excellent, friendly tuition for people of all abilities.

Their lovely old home and garden, situated in beautiful countryside about 10 miles south of Norwich, provides a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Contact us about courses this autumn and next year

www.johnshave.co.uk | [email protected] 536934 | 07773 668504 | 07811 717414

Professional, recognised, accreditedbeauty and make up courses

Designed for beginners, as well asthose wishing to develop their career

as a therapist or make up artist

No prior experience or qualifications required to enrol

01603 629689 | 077467 [email protected]

www.beautyschoolnorwich.co.uk

Leave the world outside and indulge yourself in some wonderful winter treatments in our luxury spa. In the expert hands of our therapists, our extensive range of holistic massages and beauty treatments,

using exclusive ESPA products, will leave you feeling relaxed, with a winter glow from head to toe.

Why not treat someone special with a spa day or spa stay at our luxury 4 star hotel –just a short drive from Norwich. We also offer a range of spa gift vouchers from only £10.

www.barnham-broom.co.uk/spa | 01603 757545 | [email protected] Broom Hotel, Honingham Road, Barnham Broom, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 4DD

Indulge yourself with a luxury winter spa visit

HAIR SALON MALE + FEMALE / SPECIALISTS IN CUT + COLOURS100% REAL HAIR EXTENSIONS / NANO KERATIN TREATMENTFREE CONSULTATIONS / LATE NIGHT APPOINTMENTS

22 BRIDEWELL ALLEY, NORWICH NR2 1AQ

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL

01603 660030

15% OFF NHS / UEA / AVIVAFOR POSITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY

BECOME THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE!WWW.THE-MIND-WORKS.CO.UKTO CHANGE YOUR LIFE IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY

07962 320775

THEMIND WORKS

http://www.the-mind-works.co.uk/


n the recently refurbished spa atBarnham Broom there is always a

tranquil ambience.

The lighting is kept dim, scentedcandles give off a spicy aroma, and softcolours have been carefully chosen tocreate a mood of relaxation.

The luxury spa is just one of theattractions at the hotel, which is knownfor its golf course, fitness centre andaward-winning restaurant as well.

Located 20 minutes’ drive fromNorwich, and set in 300 acres of Norfolkcountryside, the 46 bedrooms have allrecently been refurbished, explains hotelspokesman Nick Lane.

“The idea here, and in the spa, was to

create a sense of luxury and peace,” hesays. “We want to entice people who arelooking for a relaxing break, toencourage them to have a completechange and to escape their busy lives.”

Guests staying at the hotel – and peopleliving nearby or with second homes inthe area – book into the spa to relax,refresh and rejuvenate.

They may opt for a treatment, such asreflexology, reiki, Indian head massageor Hopi ear candles, or wholepampering packages. The therapistsalso offer massage, body and facialtreatments and manicures.

“We have the fitness centre too, with itspool, aromatherapy steam room andsauna, where people can also relax,” says

Nick. “At lunchtime they can have a biteto eat in the Sports Bar, with its stunningviews over the golf course, or in theevening dine in Flints Restaurant, whichhas been awarded two AA Rosettes.”

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy agame of golf out on one of the two 18-hole championship courses, he adds. It isalso a wonderful season for exploring thecountryside close to Barnham Broom.

“Guests can then come back into thewarmth, relax by the fire, and look outon the changing colours of thelandscape; the beautiful reds and goldson the trees.”

For more information on Barnham Broom

Hotel, Golf and Spa call 01603 759393

or visit www.barnham-broom.co.uk

BARNHAM BROOM is now taking

bookings for winter breaks, Christmas

and New Year stays.

It is also offering festive party nights and

Christmas meals.

These have menus that include the likes

of traditional roast turkey with duck fat

roast potatoes, cranberry stuffing,

panache of vegetables, chipolata

wrapped in bacon and red wine jus,

followed by chef’s homemade Christmas

pudding with brandy sauce.

Photography supplied by B

arnham B

room, except w

ater, towel and m

irror by Nick R

eadr


Rugby is a familyaffair for Norfolk-bornLeicester Tigersplayer Ben Youngs.His father was formerEngland scrum halfNick Youngs and hisbrother Tom playsalongside him on theteam. Having madehis England debut inthe Six Nations winover Scotland, in2010, Ben is nowlooking forward to the AutumnInternationals


Where in Norfolk were you born andwhere did you grow up? I was bornand grew up just outside Aylsham, andlived there until I was 14, when wemoved to just outside Saxthorpe.

What did you enjoy about yourchildhood in the county? It wasprobably the freedom and being able torun around. In Norfolk you are quiteout of the way and it all feels very spreadout, so it was mainly the space of thecountryside – it was also great having thecoast so close.

When did you first start playingrugby? I started playing when I wasseven, at my local team, Holt Rugby Club.I played there until I was 12 and thenmoved to North Walsham Rugby Club.

When did you discover a passion forthe sport and know you wanted tomake a career of it? From quite ayoung age, I knew I liked it. I just lovedplaying. But it wasn’t until I was about15 that I knew I wanted to make it mycareer. I wasn’t very academic and it wassomething that I seemed to really enjoyand was fairly good at as well. Imanaged to combine all that with thehard work, and figured it was my bestshot at doing something.

Can you tell us how you came to joinLeicester Tigers? I was part of theirElite Player Development Group inNorfolk, which trained at Swaffham.From there I got put forward and had anumber of trials and, eventually, I wasselected to join the Academy.

What are the highlights of playingwith the team? One of the mainhighlights is the fact that you see someof your best friends every day. You havea good laugh and at times it is like beingback in the classroom! And when youget to play in front of people in bigstadiums, with fantastic atmospheres,and you are playing with your mates, itis a great job.

Is it enjoyable playing alongside yourbrother? Yes it is, though we haven’tactually played that much together. Tomhas changed positions from centre tohooker, and one of the first times weplayed together with him in his newposition was in the Aviva PremiershipFinal in May. That was a tough defeat totake so I am looking forward to thisseason, when I am fully fit, to berunning out at Welford Road with him.

STRIPESHIS

EARNINGThis Sporting Life


How did you feel when you werechosen to play for England? It is hardto describe. When you are chosen, it isvery nice – but you still haven’t got onthe field yet. When you get on the field,and you actually run out, that isprobably the best moment. There is anincredible amount of pride and passion.It was a very proud and surreal momentfor me – it was incredible.

How is your international careergoing? I think it has been all right. Likeall things, you have your momentswhere it is up and down. I had a reallyenjoyable and fun tour to South Africain the summer. Unfortunately, however,I was injured so missed the last game.We will see whether I am involved in theAutumn Internationals – I would love toplay some role with England in that.

What will be the highlights of thisforthcoming season if you can play?Playing with my brother will be one.And hopefully we will be able to bringthat Aviva Premiership title back here toWelford Road.

Is Leicester Tigers a good place forup-and-coming rugby players to start? I think it is a great place but it is also veryhard if you come in as a youngsterbecause the expectation, and the culture,is so different to that of school. You haveto learn to wash, cook, clean and do allthose things you probably took forgranted at home. On top of that youhave to work very hard in your rugby.But everything you have to do in movingaway from home, shapes you as a person– and makes you as a person. And Ithink that being here makes you astronger character and a better person.

Do you return to Norfolk often? Yes, Ido return as often as I can. I was backrecently for a wedding – it was a lovelyday. When you are injured you havemore time at the weekend, so recently Ihave been back a bit more often than Iwould have been if I was playing.

What are your favourite aspects ofNorfolk? Probably the countryside andthe coast – Wells and Brancaster arereally nice and it’s not everywhere thatyou can wake up and look across thefield, on a frosty morning, to see a stagstanding there. It’s a very special place.

Words by Sarah Sinclair, photography by Tiger Images

For more information on Leicester Tigers visit

www.leicestertigers.com

Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 October

Head, Hands and Heart Norwich

For more information visit www.norfolkcraft.co.uk

Sunday 21 October

Apple Day Gressenhall

For more information call 01362 860563 or visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

Wednesday 10 October

Birdwatching for BeginnersRSPB Minsmere

For more information call 01728 648281 or visit www.rspb.org.uk


Abigail Saltmarshsuggests events for this autumn... ...in the Editor’s Diary

Give October a colourful startat Norfolk ContemporaryCraft Society’s 40thanniversary exhibition in The Forum, Norwich.

Members celebrate theirskills both as individuals andas collaborators.

And, for the first time,some have been workingtogether, combining crafts in

an innovative way to createsomething new – a potterworking with a wood turnerand a paper maker teamingup with a calligrapher, forexample.

The head produces theideas, the hands do the workand the heart expresses whatit is feeling – is the messagebehind the event.

Another great Apple Day is tobe held at Gressenhall Farmand Workhouse.

From 10am to 5pmdiscover the very best ofautumn with all things apple –pressing, tasting, buying andnaming.

Visitors can bring apples

from the garden to beidentified by members of theEast of England Apple andOrchards Project.

They can also play applegames, see apples beingpressed, taste juice and enjoydelicious cider.

Simply scrumptious!

Minsmere is a superb place tostart birdwatching.

Join the experts on thisbeginners’ walk to learn howto use binoculars properly andto find out which field guidesare best.

Then use this informationto enjoy watching birds intheir natural environment.

The event starts at 9.30amand lasts for two and a half tothree hours.

Booking is essential.

Jon Evans


Glyndebourne at the Theatre RoyalNorwich

For more information call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

One of the globe’s mosthighly-regarded operacompanies is presentingMozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaroand Dvorák’s Rusalka.

Glyndebourne on Tourwill perform a brand newproduction of Mozart’s classicon Tuesday 30 October,Thursday 1 and Saturday 3 November.

The story revolves aroundFigaro and Susanna, who aredetermined to marry. Thisangers The Count, whodecides to pursue Susannahimself.

Then the haunting tale ofRusalka runs on Wednesday31 October and Friday 2November. This tells of awater spirit who falls in lovewith The Prince who swims inher lake home each day.

Unfortunately he can’t seeher and the only way she canbecome visible is if she makesa pact with an evil witch to losethe power of speech in return.


Deer at Dawn Photography Workshop Holkham

For further information call 01328 713111 or visit www.holkham.co.uk

Friday 2 November to Sunday 4 November

Aldeburgh Poetry FestivalSnape Maltings

For more information call 01728 687110 or visit www.aldeburgh.co.uk

Saturday 10 November

Brodowski Quartet Holkham

For more information call 01328 713111 or visit www.holkham.co.uk


More dates...

Get close to the herd of fallowand red deer at Holkham,accompanied by deer keeperGlyn Ingram.

At the same time, NigelDowner, professionalphotographer and lecturer in natural history and thenatural environment, willshare his tips for

photographing the animals.The workshop is suitable

for all levels, from beginners to experienced photographers.Bring a camera, suitablefootwear for walking inparkland and clothing for all weathers.

Tickets must be booked in advance.

The 24th internationalAldeburgh Poetry Festival isbeing held at Snape Maltingsthis year.

Organised by The PoetryTrust, it will see 25 poets fromall over Britain, as well asfrom countries, such asAmerica, Ireland, Palestine,

Somalia, South Africa andSouth Korea, travel to the East Suffolk coast to take partin 54 interconnecting events.

Aldeburgh is renowned for the depth and creativity of its programme and this year’sline-up features new poets, as well as some familiar faces.

The Brodowski StringQuartet, which burst on to theLondon music scene in 2008,winning a clutch of majorprizes, will perform in TheMarble Hall at 7pm.

Some of the mostcelebrated of all string

quartets make up theBrodowski’s programme, fromHaydn’s last complete workfor the genre to Smetana’srevolutionary From My Lifeand Tchaikovsky’s StringQuartet Number One in Dmajor Op 11.

➸

Bill C

ooper

Brodow

ski



Handmade Contemporary Christmas Craft and Design FairLong Melford

Further more information visit www.wearehandmade.co.uk

Visit the We Are HandmadeContemporary ChristmasCraft and Design Fair.With more than 45 stalls, this event will offer shoppers a wonderful choice ofbeautifully designed and handcrafted gifts for Christmas.

From 10am to 4pm,participants will beshowcasing the latest in

contemporary and vintageinspired handmade items,including jewellery, clothes,bags, pottery, soaps, cards, soft furnishings, home-wares and more.

Visitors can also enjoydelicious homemade cakes,with a cup of tea, served invintage-style crockery, by Plum Fairy who will berunning the tearoom.


The Norwich Original FleamarketSt Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Halls

For more information visit www.cloistersfair.com

For antiques, collectables,retro and vintage pieces, dropin at The Norwich OriginalFleamarket, between 9am to4pm.

Held once a month, thisevent has been taking place inNorwich for the last 37 years. Now there are up to 90stands, selling autographs,books, buttons, coins,ceramics, clocks, dolls, glass,jewellery, vintage clothes andaccessories, and much more.

The Cloisters Cafe sellsdelicious homemadesandwiches, cakes, coffee and tea.Staged by the sameorganisers, the Christmas

Nostalgia Fair will take placein St Andrew’s andBlackfriars’ Halls onSaturday 15 December.

As well as the usualtreasures and gifts, findChristmas cards anddecorations, and vintagelinens, lace and cutlery todress the festive table.

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December

Medieval Christmas MarketDragon Hall

For more information call 01603 663922 or visit www.dragonhall.org

Go back in time at theMedieval Christmas Market in Norwich’s historic Dragon Hall.

Beneath the magnificentcrown post roof, andthroughout the ancientbuilding, costumedstallholders from all over theUK and northern Europe willbe selling toys, gifts, clothing,wreaths, food, jewellery,pottery, glass and more.

Period musicians will beperforming and there will belocal ales, from the award-winning Tipples Brewery,mulled wine, and foodinspired by GermanChristmas markets.

The market will be openfrom 10am to 4pm on both days.

RB

Ceram

icsR

B C

eramics


Thursday 6 December to Saturday 8 December

Festive workshops Oxburgh

For more information visit call 01366 327242 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburghhall

Prepare for Christmas atspecial events organised byOxburgh Hall.

On Thursday 6December, create your ownnatural decoration at theFestive Foliage Workshop.

Pieces will be made usingwillow, foliage, nuts and seedsfrom the estate.

Then on Friday 7 andSaturday 8 December, there

are wreath making workshopsat the hall. Enjoy a festive daymaking the decorations withthe expert help of the formerhead gardener.

Morning coffee, a lightlunch and afternoon tea areprovided at both events,which run from 10am to 4pm.

Booking is essential forthis very popular event.

Thursday 6 December to Saturday 8 December

Dickensian ChristmasKentwell Hall

For more information call 01787 310207 or visit www.kentwell.co.uk

Enjoy a magical VictorianChristmas experience in Suffolk.

This year sees the 200thanniversary of the birth ofCharles Dickens – andKentwell Hall’s DickensianChristmas takes visitors backto his era.

They will be able to seehow the house, near LongMelford, is set up in periodstyle, meet a Victorian familyas they portray life at a greatcountry house and learn how those living at that

time prepared for the festive season.

Booking is essential.

Throughout December

Christmas servicesNorwich Cathedral

For more information visit www.cathedral.org.uk

Christmas worship at NorwichCathedral begins on Saturday8 December with theChristingle Service at 3.30pm.

This is a family service, which features oranges andlighted candles.

Then on Saturday 15December, at 3pm, theExpress Steam Dreams CarolService comes steaming intothe Cathedral in the form of aspecial carol service.

Iconic locomotive, TheTornado, which has takenpart in a BBC Top Gear Racewith Jeremy Clarkson, willarrive at the station inNorwich earlier in the day.

Its passengers then takepart in this service at theCathedral, and members ofthe public are welcome to jointhem for traditional andfavourite carols.

On Christmas Eve, it is theCrib Service, at 12pm, wherechildren can come dressed asshepherds, kings or angels.Then later on, at 11.15pm,the Midnight Eucharist ofChristmas will be held, led bythe Bishop of Norwich.

At 10.30am on ChristmasDay itself, members of thecongregation are invited tocelebrate the birth of Christ atFamily Eucharist.

F E L B R I G G L O D G ESCHOOL ROAD, AYLMERTON, NORFOLK, NR11 8RA

[email protected] | 01263 837588 | www.felbrigglodge.co.uk

I N D U L G EN C E S PA A N D PA M P ER B R E A K Guaranteed to Recharge your Batteries

Arrive to afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, cream and tea bread

Sit back and enjoy a bottle of chilled champagne and scrummy locally made chocolates

50% of any treatments taken with Sarah our therapist

(must be pre booked)

Free use of the indoor heated pool, sauna and hot tub

4 course dinner on both nights with locally sourced produce

Full English Breakfast(can be taken in your room)

Just £199 per person (makes a great Christmas present or thank you gift)

The NorwichOriginal FleamarketESTABLISHED 1975

The oldest, biggest and best monthly antiques fair in Norwich

Saturday 27 OctoberSaturday 24 November

Christmas Nostalgia FairSaturday 15 December

St Andrews & Blackfriars Halls St Andrews St, Norwich NR3 1AU

http://www.cloistersfair.com/

whvocsiD

agnuffuffolluffudeffefffutssihci Ftarsednwoff odrl wor aev

om&stfftracselzzupsemaa ms’namhcneHeh tocsoFreo

eeurqa

Twh

htwisegallr aoffonuffus’reeTha, gnuffuff ollu ffudeffefffutssihci

ecirve slanorsepyy ldneriffrahom&stfftra, cselzzu, psema

.e.reo

emagehcinstsilaiceSp

seni

r’eWyL2a

yyadn

yardut

riF-de

yadse

ninepO

Tu

W

Sa

Su

Amroffrda roehr tev otsu jre37EPmahffhfffwa, SteretSnny

004.00- 10.

005.00- 9.y

305.30- 9.i

304.30- 10.yy

:rsuoHgg

ADSAX7 7A

Polly’s Feltz is a handicraft business in Fakenham,Norfolk creating high-quality felted handbags,slippers and other felted items using pure new wool in a wonderful range of colours. Polly exhibits her craftat various fairs in the Norfolk area, details of whichcan be found on her website www.pollysfeltz.co.uk

Polly can also be contacted on 07932622132 or [email protected]

rugs mirrors bags lamps

Berber HolkhamAncient House, Coast Road Holkham Village, Norfolk NR23 1ADOpen 7 days a week 10am to 5pmTelephone 01328 711517

Berber HoltBayfield Brecks, Cley RoadHolt, Norfolk NR25 7DZOpen Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pmTelephone 01263 715555

www.berberinteriors.com

http://www.henchmans.com/


Matthew Williamson butterfly cushion, £18Debenhams, Ipswich, Norwich, 08445 616161www.debenhams.com

Jan Constantine Cushion, £79.95Hamptons Home and Garden, Reepham, 01603 871050www.hamptonshomeandgarden.co.uk

Casa bronze vase, £45House of Fraser, Norwich0844 800 3750www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Zsa Zsa handmade ceramic vase byJo Davies, small, in cream or black,£190, large, in cream, £380The Gallery, Cromer, 01263 515745www.thegallerynorfolk.co.uk

Moroccan slippers, £25Berber Interiors, at Holkham or Bayfield Brecks, Holt01328 711517 or 01263 715555www.berberinteriors.com

Donna Wilson Ernest zig zagpouffe, in green, £350John Lewis, Ipswich, Norwich, 08456 049 049www.johnlewis.com

Caravan bird jug, £35Marks and Spencer, Ipswich, Norwich0871 983 5999www.marksandspencer.com

Caravan round rug, £129Marks and Spencer, Ipswich, NorwichBury St Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn0845 609 0200www.marksandspencer.com

Tyler & Tyler sparring hares,white brick cufflinks, £32.50Jarrold, Norwich, 01603 660661www.jarrold.co.uk


COLOURFUL, QUIRKY, INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL – CHOOSE FROM A

SPECTRUM OF DELIGHTFUL GIFTS TO WRAP UP THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Handmade felt slippers in jade, £25Polly’s Feltz, Fakenham, 07932 622132www.pollysfeltz.co.uk

Moroccan candles, £13.95Berber Interiors, at Holkham or Bayfield Brecks, Holt01328 711517 or 01263 715555www.berberinteriors.com

Jasper Conran hand paintedteapot, Tiverton Range, £25Debenhams, Norwich, Ipswich08445 616161www.debenhams.com

Lara Bowen Red Hellibores, signed limitededition print, 415mm x 315mm, £80The Gallery, Cromer, 01263 515745www.thegallerynorfolk.co.uk

Log cabin tin, £12.50Marks and Spencer, Ipswich, Norwich0845 6090200www.marksandspencer.com

Handmade peony Elitebag in felt, £40Polly’s Feltz, Fakenham, 07932 622132www.pollysfeltz.co.uk

Stripe duck eggshade, £42 andsillick base, £70Laura Ashley, Ipswich, Norwich0871 983 5999www.lauraashley.com

Black bird ceramictealight holder, £6.95Swank Interiors, Bressingham, near Diss01379 687542www.swankinteriors.co.uk

Trumpet ornament, £25Next, Ipswich, Norwich, Bury St Edmunds,

Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, 0844 844 8000www.next.co.uk



For information on the sleepover

or to book call 01603 218320

or email [email protected]

For information on the willow weaving

workshops or to book call 01603 218316


For information on Alan Gray’s demonstration

or to book call 01603 218450


Tickets for The Tender Tyrant will be available

from early October from Prelude Records,

on 01603 628319, St George’s Music Shop,

on 01603 626414, and The Cathedral Shop,

on 01603 218450

Tickets for The Mediaeval Baebes and the

Christmas Baroque Concert by Candlelight are

available from Cathedral Shop, on 01603 218450

Concerts, craft-making and festive fun –Norwich Cathedral is opening its doors

to welcome families in for a spectrum ofactivities this Christmas season.

In addition to the expected range of carol services, there will be plenty of events to choose from, says CecileTuddenham, marketing manager of the Cathedral.

“On Friday 9 November, for example,there will be a sleepover in the Hostry.This is a family event that will include an evening supper, film and story, beforebedding down exactly where the poorpeople of Norwich slept over 400 yearsago,” she explains. “It runs from 6pmon the Friday evening to 10am on theSaturday morning.”

She continues: “Then we have theNorwich and Ghent Family LearningChristmas Festival from 10am to 4.30pm,on Saturday 24 November, and 12pm to3pm, on Sunday 25 November. This is afree family event, which explores thetheme of historical links betweenNorwich and the Low Countries.

“There will be a variety of craft andtextile activities aimed at children agedtwo to 13, as well as the opportunity tomake a decoration to hang on a giantChristmas tree in the Cathedral.”

On Saturday 8 December, there will beChristingle Craft Activities at theCathedral, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, andthen willow weaving workshops arebeing held on Saturday 17 November

between 9.30am and 12.30pm, and1.30pm and 4.30pm.

“Joy Whiddett is a sculptor who worksmainly in willow, producing life-sizefigures and animals. Participants willmake a small sculpture in willow of atraditional Christmas bird, such as agoose or partridge, which they will beable to take home.”

On Thursday 29 November, from10.30am to 1pm, Alan Gray of EastRuston gardens will be giving ademonstration, with a Christmas theme.This will take place in the Hostry andbooking is essential.

“Then we have some concerts,” addsCecile. “On Saturday 1 December, from7.30pm to 10.30pm, it is The TenderTyrant, with Keswick Hall Choir. Thiswill feature the music and influences ofNadia Boulanger and will include worksby Widor, Faure, Lili Boulanger andAaron Copland. The musical directorwill be Christopher Duarte.

“On Saturday 8 December, at 7.30pm,The Mediaeval Baebes return toNorwich Cathedral, with a Christmasshow that will incorporate many of theirnew songs, and on Saturday 15December, it is the Christmas BaroqueConcert by Candlelight.

“This begins at 7.30pm and visitors will be able to enjoy the spirit ofChristmas as they listen to seasonalmusic by the Cathedral Consort andNorwich Baroque.”

In the build-up to the festive season,

Norwich Cathedral will be hosting

a range of family events

F E S T I V E J O Y

Paul Tyagi

Paul Hurst

Spend Christmas or New Year on

the Norfolk Broads

LUXURY SELF CATERING LODGES THAT SLEEP UP TO 10 PEOPLE, PERFECT FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

USE OF A DAY BOAT FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY01603 782625 | [email protected] | WWW.BARNESBRINKCRAFT.CO.UK

http://www.cathedral.org.uk/

http://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/

http://www.caithness-crystal.co.uk/


Are you local yourself? I’m fromDevon originally but was based inLondon for much of my working careerbefore moving to Yorkshire. AlthoughI’m not from around these parts, we dohave family in Suffolk and I’ve foundpeople here to be extremely friendlyand welcoming. It’s a great place to live.

What do you enjoy about living inSuffolk? Suffolk is absolutely charming.Apart from the stunning, iconicMedieval structures, it boasts endlessopen skies and beautiful coastlines.

I grew up by the sea so this is hugelyimportant to me. I enjoy its diversitytoo, the fact that one minute I could be in the middle of the countryside, and next, being held up by the horses at Newmarket Racecourse. It’s full of the unexpected.

In your opinion what makes thecounty so appealing to visitors? In short, its subtleness, charm, relaxedvibe and non-manufactured experiences.In general, our visitor attractions makeuse of what is naturally available to them.This is what makes Suffolk so special andunique. Together with its strong sense ofheritage, variety of family attractions,great local food and drink producers andfantastic cultural offering, Suffolk trulyoffers something for everyone.

What would you suggest people do if they had just one day to spend inSuffolk? My favourites include a visit to Christchurch Mansion, in Ipswich,and then lunch on the marina in thetown. I love being on the coast, and thewalk from Walberswick to Southwold isbreath-taking. Suffolk’s wool towns, such as Lavenham, offer a rare glance of Medieval England and can be visitedon foot or by bike. A day at the races isalways good fun and we’re fortunateenough to have Newmarket on ourdoorstep, which makes it rather special.Ensure to combine this with a trip toThe National Horseracing Museum.

Tell us about some of Suffolk’shidden gems? The landscape thatinspired Constable at Flatford iscaptivating, especially when combinedwith a breath-taking amble from theSuffolk and Essex border at

Manningtree. Woodbridge is anattractive market town, which has manyfacets to its charm, including beinghome to one of the last surviving tidemills one of the last surviving tide millsdating back to the 1700s. This, togetherwith the views of the River Deben, isspectacular. Combine it with a bit ofshopping, and great food, and you havethe perfect day out.

Is there anything new for this autumnor winter you can tell us about?This November we see the launch of the Britten Centenary, a year-longevent centred on the life and works of Benjamin Britten – the Suffolk borncomposer, conductor and pianist andpioneer of 20th century British classicalmusic. Expect a festival of some reputein the beautiful surroundings of Snape Maltings.

Do you have any final suggestions forvisitors? Suffolk is a county for allseasons, with its great mix of attractions,festivals, heritage and family friendlyactivities. To fully appreciate what’s onoffer, spend a few days and take time toexplore. There is a great choice of placesto stay, from self-catering cottages, toboutique hotels and intimate guesthouses. Base yourself in the centre ofSuffolk and you’re pretty much only anhour from everywhere in the county!

For more information visit www.visitsuffolk.com

Nick R

ead

Amanda Bond,Suffolk brandmanager for VisitEast Anglia

In the know

Kitchens | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | StudiesHandmade furniture built for you

Unit 28Maitland RoadLion Barn Industrial EstateNeedham MarketSuffolk IP6 8NS


01273 671443

[email protected]

www.irisfurnishing.co.uk

Documents

Uniquely Away Issue 2 - Autumn 2012