Tasty Suffolk

Suffolk is bursting with tasty food and drink products that you are encouraged to seek out and enjoy. You can be sure that it will add something truly special to your visit.

Whilst you’ll come across a few household names, many producers will be noted for their quality products within food and drink enthusiast circles, on a regional basis or even in their local area. You’ll find unsung local food heroes going about their business with dedication and passion.

Home to two of the UK’s leading brewers, Adnams at Southwold and Greene King at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk is also home to lots of smaller breweries whose styles range from traditional Bitters and Milds (one of the last bastions in Southern England of this threatened style), through to exotic beers made with wheat, fruit and spices. If you have different tastes in drinks, you’ll find organic apple juice and cider plus a thriving wine sector. One of the most interesting is the National Trust’s vineyard at Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds. Planted in 1995, it is dedicated to producing fine English wines.

It is now widely accepted that organic free-range animals live a happier, healthier life, and that growing organic fruit and vegetables is better for the environment than intensive, industrial food production. Good quality organic food also tastes great, and buying locally produced food reduces road miles, which is also better for the environment.

As you’d expect in this unspoilt county, we have more than our fair share of locally grown, organic produce. If you’re a lover of food and on the hunt for some great organic produce around Suffolk, you won’t be disappointed. There’s a great range, from cider, vinegar, mushrooms, lettuce, fruit, meat and vegetables.

Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk are some of the best in the UK due to a long agricultural history, which today is still a critical part of our local economy. So not only will you met some of our Farmers at these markets, but several of them are actually based on working farms, so you can see where your produce comes from at source.

Possible the most famous farm in the country – Jimmy’s Farm, near Ipswich – has been the subject of a hugely popular TV show. It’s Farmers’ Market was recently included in the Guardian’s list of Britain’s’ Most Vibrant Food Markets.

Base yourself in the centre of the county and you’ll be able to explore this very tasty county.

Nestling in the Suffolk countryside, between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, The Swan Hotel in Lavenham is perhaps one of England’s most iconic hotels.

The Swan dates back to the 15th Century when it played a key role in Lavenham’s wool trade. Today it is a quintessential English country hotel and restaurant, proud of its achievement of an AA four star 81% rating and two AA Rosettes. Ancient oak beams and inglenook fireplaces blend beautifully with rich furnishings and fabrics to create the perfect ambiance for rest and relaxation. The historic Old Bar boasts a wonderful collection of memorabilia including a wall signed by British and American airmen stationed at Lavenham Airfield during World War II.

A warm welcome awaits you at The Swan, whether it is your first visit or you are one of many regular guests.

Kris Smith has been living and writing about Suffolk for several years, and especially the Swan Hotel. It’s a wonderful place in which to celebrate a variety of special occasions, for more information go to www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk or telephone 01787 247477.