Cod save The King
If there’s one thing that instantly says “British seaside” it’s the smell of fish and chips in the air. Not just the smell, the memory of that tangy vinegar, the promise of crisp batter, steaming chips and the quiet bliss of eating it while the waves do their rhythmic thing in front of you. It’s an institution, a rite of passage, and frankly a very good excuse to carry a packet wrapped in newspaper down to the beach. (Ah yes newspaper wrapping, sadly long gone, but in our minds still iconic and slightly crinkly under the fingers.)
You don’t just eat fish and chips here, you experience them. Take that first sniff of malt vinegar, the noise of seagulls claiming dibs on stray scraps, the joyous chaos of unwrapping a hot parcel that threatens to steam your fingertips into oblivion. And then there’s the HP sauce debate, dollop it on or on the side? I’m firmly in team drizzle-and-dip, thank you very much.
Sheringham stands proud in this tradition with some top places to choose from. One of our favourites is Stevenson’s Fish and Chips, a family-run business passionate about doing it well, sourcing quality fish and preparing it with care for that classic seaside taste you remember. It’s the sort of place locals and holiday-makers happily queue for, grab their order, and stroll off to find the perfect seaside perch to tuck in.
Not far along the High Street you’ll find Straits, another brilliant option for fish and chips cooked fresh to order. They’ve built a lovely reputation for generous portions, crispy batter and chips that land just right, delivered with a smile from behind the counter. Sitting on a wall by the sea with a portion from Straits and the horizon ahead of you, that’s seaside dinner done right.
Now don’t get me wrong, every chip shop has its own character and loyal fans, that’s part of the fun. One chippy might have you singing praises for the batter, another for the fluffiest chips in town. The common thread is this: bring it down to the beach, find a bench, a wall, or simply sit in the sand, crack open a bottle of something nice, be it wine, beer, or fizz, and let the simple joy of fish and chips melt away the everyday.
There’s something wonderfully grounding about eating your dinner with salt in the air, wind in your hair, and the sea gently playing its soundtrack. You might forget the fancy restaurants and five-course menus for a bit, because this, this here, is soul food. It’s tradition. It’s laughter and salt and a bit of silliness when someone drops a chip and a seagull gloats. It’s British seaside life in its most delicious form.
So next time you’re wandering Sheringham, make space for a fish and chip feast. Eat it on the promenade, eat it on the beach, ignore the sand that might get in your chips… and don’t forget that cheeky splash of vinegar that makes you salivate just at the thought.
Cod save the king, and cod save our beloved fish and chips by the sea.
Hope to see you soon warm wishes, Annie x