Since we moved to Bury St Edmunds, I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve ordered fish and chips from Hendo’s via Deliveroo. We *do* have another chippy in walking distance, but the quality just doesn’t compare. This weekend, we decided to eat in for the first time. Hendo’s on Abbeygate Street in the town centre is one of those places that seems to be constantly busy. The dining area isn’t large, and there’s a separate hatch serving up a range of tasty ice creams (try the twisted chocolate and vanilla!) On the sunny Saturday lunchtime of our visit, there were plenty of people queu ..read more

  Please note: I received free products from Martin’s Chocolatier for the purpose of this post, but this in no way impacted my opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and the brand did not see this review before it was published.   This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 16th. With only a month to go, have you started looking for the perfect gift yet? Booze, socks and sport-related gifts are often the go-to for men. If you’re buying for someone with a sweet tooth, though, why not say it with chocolate this year? I was asked by leading UK luxury chocolate ..read more

  When I was a university student in Cambridge, Italian restaurant Don Pasquale on Market Hill was a popular place to eat. From 1973 to when the COVID-19 lockdowns hit, locals and tourists alike flocked to the family-run restaurant. Sadly, the pandemic, parking difficulties, increasing business rates and more meant they decided not to reopen post-lockdown. In Don Pasquale’s place, however, a new business appeared. Husband and wife duo Bill Brogan and Jinzhao Li opened Market House, set across five floors, in July 2022.     Market House features an all-day café, a formal restaur ..read more

    Recently, the Rougham Estate near Bury St Edmunds has introduced a series of walking routes around the estate. In total, the estate has around 18 miles of footpaths and cycling routes to enjoy – and with five new routes to choose from, there’s plenty to explore. We decided to try out the Downs Wood walk and footpath: a 30-minute/1.2-mile walk that proved to be beautiful! First, though, we needed sustenance – and the estate’s Roots Café gave us the chance to explore more of what the place had to offer. Since it opened in October 2023, the pictures I’d seen on the Rougham Estate I ..read more

  Whether you’re a fan of a hot coffee in the morning or an iced coffee as the weather gets warmer, one thing is certain. Coffee is always better when you use freshly ground beans! Buying whole coffee beans means that your coffee stays fresher for longer. Simply grind the quantity you need, as and when you need them, and store the rest in an airtight container for future use. As well as decent coffee beans (of course), you’ll need to make sure you have a good grinder to hand, too. That’s where the new amigo Coffee Bean Grinder from Melitta comes in.   Melitta amigo Coffee Bean Grinde ..read more

  Overnight stays in central Cambridge aren’t cheap. The city’s public transport network is pretty good, though – so if you’re planning on visiting, definitely take a look at accommodation options a little further out! One place that won’t break the bank is the Turing Locke Hotel in Eddington, just two miles north-west of the city centre. It’s just 20 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by taxi to central Cambridge, and it’s a place that’s been much-lauded since it opened in late 2021. The aparthotel boasts 180 apartments, available both for short-term stays and longer residences – perfect for t ..read more

  **Written for Breaks and Bites by Nathan Clarke**   Visiting London for the first time feels like flipping open a storybook where every page whispers tales of magic, history, and new beginnings. As you get ready to dive into this adventure, it’s all about gearing up with the right info and a bit of prep. Imagine London as this incredible city that’s managed to win over millions with its mix of old-world charm and modern buzz. In 2024, about 39.5 million tourists will eagerly descend upon the UK, each ready to craft their own unique London adventure. It goes to show just how magneti ..read more

  It’s the Easter holidays. One of my regular battles during school holidays is persuading the six-year-old that he needs a trip to the barber: a suggestion that’s always met with resistance. The answer? Bribery – this week, with the offer of lunch somewhere in Bury St Edmunds town centre. For me, the criteria were somewhere independent and somewhere that wasn’t ridiculously busy. For him? Somewhere we could sit outside and soak up the occasional rays of sunshine that were peeking through the clouds. I figured it was as good an opportunity as any to try the Old School Café, which has been ..read more

  What do Moyse’s Hall museum and The Nutshell pub in Bury St Edmunds have in common with the Guildhall in Lavenham and the Mill Hotel in Sudbury? The answer: all four buildings are home to the same type of macabre-yet-intriguing attraction – mummified cats. Their existence is no accident – and their geographic proximity to each other is no coincidence. It’s common to think of cats as being associated with witches – but these particular cats were no witches’ familiars…   Seventeenth-century superstitions In the 17th century, Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General (a title he most l ..read more

  Cromer, said the Eastern Daily Press in May 2023, is “fast becoming Norfolk’s coolest seaside spot“. It’s always been a popular haunt for tourists, but what is there to actually do and see while you’re there? If you’re in need of inspiration for an upcoming Cromer trip, read on…   1. Cromer beach Cromer’s sand and shingle Blue Flag beach is popular with paddlers, sandcastle builders, sunbathers, walkers and surfers alike. Flanked by chalk cliffs and with the obligatory brightly coloured beach huts, there are plenty of facilities within walking distance and lifeguards to keep swimme ..read more