The heart of Suffolk’s beautiful rolling countryside produces fantastic food to be celebrated. Dine out on ingredients that have travelled from farms and producers right on the doorstep – and don’t forget to buy some to enjoy back home.
Look out for farm shops, village stores selling local produce, and the packed calendar of farmers markets and artisan food fairs, all great places to buy and taste local.
Ark wines near Sudbury is set in over 30 acres of land. They grow eight different varieties of grape and create small batch wines experimenting with unusual methods and blends. Embracing innovation, their winery is solar powered and each year they commission an artist to design their labels.
Burnt House just outside Stowmarket, is passionate about producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the soil. As fourth-generation farmers, they have a deep respect for the land and a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, embracing technology to ensure the health and vitality of the vines.
Shotley Vineyard purchased their four–acre site in 2017 after falling in love with the beautiful setting and views. They now manage 16 acres of planted English vines in neighbouring vineyards and launched their first vintage in June 2020. Shotley vineyard is unique in that you can reach them by ferry from Harwich or Felixstowe if you fancy leaving the car at home!
Aspall Cyder has been brewed in Aspall for nearly 300 years by the Chevallier family combining their love of traditional cyder-making with a passion for innovation. The apples are still pressed at the original Aspall Cyder House to produce the very finest, world-class cyders, sold around the world.
Heart of Suffolk compact distillery in Finbows Yard, Bacton is an independent Suffolk icon. Open to the public it offers a relaxed welcome for those wanting to sample and purchase, a bottle of the hand-crafted gin. Alongside the gin on the shelves in the small retail unit, you will find other locally sourced products.
Nethergate Brewery and Distillery is nestled in Long Melford and offers visitors the chance to step behind the curtain and discover the magic of brewing and distilling. Visitors can immerse themselves in a tour or hands-on experience that unveils the secrets behind the craft.
Hawkeston, an unpasteurised, cows milk cheese with a crumbly texture and fresh taste.
Shipcord, another raw milk cheese from Rodwell Farm Dairy. Its name comes from the meadows on the farm near the river and it is available smoked and unsmoked.
Suffolk Brie is a rich, creamy and full-flavoured cheese with a striking contrast between the white velvety rind and the golden centre. It is pasteurised on the farm.
Suffolk Blue is pasteurised on the farm to create a creamy lightly blue-veined cheese. Whilst the blue veining is seasonal in appearance, the depth of flavour remains.
Suffolk Blue-Brie, made using their award-winning pedigree Guernsey cows, the milk is pasteurised on the farm to create a cheese that balances a combination between the popular Blue and Brie, delivering a creamy golden base matched with underlying blue tones.
Suffolk Gold is pasteurised on the farm to produce a creamy semi-hard farmhouse cheese, with a delicious flavour and a rich golden colour.
Located near Stowmarket, the Food Hub Cookery School offer courses for beginners, couples and team-building, on a variety of food types and techniques. Held in the beautiful grounds of Kenton Hall Estate, the courses are an opportunity to relax and immerse yourself in learning something new.
Based in Suffolk Food Hall Ilia’s Kitchen Cookery School is a great place to spend the day learning new cookery skills. With day classes for adults, children and teenagers, visitor can learn bread-making, how to prepare and cook fish, or explore vegetarian flavours, building confidence in the kitchen with lovely ingredients.
Jack’s Meat Shack BBQ School is located just outside Sudbury and the place to learn about all things involving fire, smoke and heat. The one-day courses are an event in themselves getting hands on to try things out and fill up on the fruits of your labour, whatever the time of year.
