Colin and Sarah run The Old Forge, a seafood restaurant with B&B rooms at Thursford in north Norfolk. They buy lobster, crab and oysters daily from fishermen at Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea. The building is an old forge that once served as a coaching stop. The menu names its coastline. Morston mussels marinière, Blakeney oysters, dressed Cromer crab and Wells lobster, grilled with garlic butter or baked with Pernod and gruyère. Colin's own seafood casserole is on there too. In season, the vegetables and potatoes come from the garden, and there's always a meat dish for anyone who doesn't eat fish. It opens in the evenings and booking is essential. In the run-up to Christmas it opens earlier on some days for people going on to the Christmas Spectacular at Thursford, so ring for times. It isn't on the coast. The shellfish only has to come a few miles from it.

Which local producers do you source from?

Lobster, crab and oysters are bought daily from fishermen on the north Norfolk coast. The mussels are from Morston, the oysters from Blakeney and the lobster from Wells, and the crab on the menu is Cromer crab. Vegetables and potatoes come from the restaurant's own garden when they're in season.

Do we need to make a reservation? If so how do we do this?

Yes, booking is essential. Ring 01328 878345. Early tables before the Thursford Christmas Spectacular are booked by phone too.

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063638567833

Check availability and book

https://www.seafoodnorthnorfolk.co.uk

Signature dishes or seasonal menu highlights

Morston mussels marinière, as a starter or a big bowl for a main. Half a dozen Blakeney oysters. Dressed Cromer crab, or crab baked au gratin. Wells lobster, grilled with garlic butter, served cold with mayonnaise or baked with Pernod under gruyère. A fruits de mer platter of local lobster, crab, mussels and oysters. Colin's seafood casserole.

Our sourcing story

The Old Forge is a few miles inland from Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea, and that's where the shellfish comes from. Lobster, crab and oysters are bought daily from the fishermen on that stretch of the north Norfolk coast, and the menu says where: Morston mussels, Blakeney oysters, Wells lobster, Cromer crab. In season, the vegetables and potatoes on the plate come from the restaurant's own garden. Of course, not everything is local. There's Scottish salmon and swordfish on the menu too. But the lobster, crab and oysters come from fishermen a few miles away on the north Norfolk coast.

Website

https://www.seafoodnorthnorfolk.co.uk

Address Summary

Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0BD