For foodies
One of the beauties of staying in a Windmill Lodge is that you have your own very well appointed kitchen. This part of Suffolk is simply full of fantastic farm shops and small producers making quite spectacular food to tempt all appetites, so you’ll be able to cook up some amazing meals. If you love farmers’ markets, you’ll be spoiled for choice, and if you’re into fish, you couldn’t get it much fresher than straight off the boat! Here’s just a tiny taste of what’s available…
Emmett’s of Peasenhall – a Rick Stein Food Hero, selling Suffolk hams and bacon made in a traditional manner, Emmetts has been trading in the same premises in the picturesque village of Peasenhall since 1840. Even if ham or bacon isn’t your thing, it’s well worth a visit as it’s a sumptuous little shop, and they sell lots of other delights, including chocolate, wines, cheeses, oils and vinegars. It’s also beautiful to look at, and a great source of foodie gifts.
Leo’s Deli, Framlingham. Just a few minutes drive from Windmill Lodges, this small but perfectly formed deli sells delicious local product and glorious Belgian chocolates – just the place to stock up for luxuries for your stay!
The small village of Earl Soham, again, just a few minutes drive from the Lodges, has a renowned butcher – John Hutton (we recommend the pork, leek and apricot sausages) and a well-stocked deli and coffee shop, Eat Anglia. Here they serve Earl Soham’s own brand of coffee – Paddy & Scott’s – which is now stocked in mainstream outlets such as Waitrose.
Suffolk Food Hall – a showcase for quality local food with provenance. Voted Best Butcher in Suffolk in 2008 and packed with local food specialists across its 8,000 square feet. Suppliers include free-range pork from Blythburgh, local Red Poll beef, Spring Hill Farm lamb, Sutton Hoo chickens and fresh-caught Lowestoft fish. There’s a delicatessen offering Hamish Johnston cheeses, antipasti and charcuterie from the on-site butchery; an artisan bakery and chocolatier. They also run cookery demonstrations and other ‘foodie’ events.
Snape Maltings – a day out in itself, the old maltings on the river at Snape have been converted into a shopping and eating complex, complete with a superb food and kitchen shop.
The award-winning Shawsgate Vineyard, just 10 minutes from Windmill Lodges, offers winetasting, tours and a childrens’ play area, plus a retail outlet selling their wide range of wines, ciders and non-alcoholic grape juices. The perfect place to pick up some local wine to sample in your lodge!
Aldeburgh is home to the UK’s best deli, Lawsons Delicatessen, winner of The Deli of the Year 2010. You’ll also find plenty of fantastic cafes and restaurants in this popular small coastal town – Muchies is great for lunch!
And there is no shortage of pubs and shops selling local beers from the Earl Soham, Adnams, Mauldons and Calvors breweries, and the award-winning Aspall Cyder.