Sussex Food
Springs Fish Shop & Café.
A Sussex smokery I first went looking for after finding it in a Peter James novel—and a place that has stayed with me ever since.
I discovered Springs in 2013 through Peter James’s Dead Man’s Grip. The description of a smokery tucked away in a South Downs valley was enough to make me set out and find it. The journey through the lanes towards Edburton felt like part of the experience: countryside, walking routes, country pubs and then a food business I had somehow never known was practically on my doorstep.
Traditional smoking in the South Downs.
What impressed me most was the care behind the food. Salmon is cured before being smoked over Sussex oak, giving it a delicate flavour that feels very different from a standard supermarket pack. On my original visit I was able to see the smokery and learn more about the traditional process, which made the food feel even more connected to the place.
The shop was the sort of place where I went in for one thing and inevitably found several others. Smoked fish was the star, but there were also other smoked products, deli items and local foods worth browsing.
Why it belongs in this guide.
Springs is now presented online as Springs Fish Shop & Café. Because ranges, opening hours and availability can change, it is best to check the official website before making a special journey. The heart of my recommendation remains the same: it is a distinctive Sussex food stop with a real sense of place and craft.
This is an independent Foodwizardry recommendation based on my own visit. The original feature image and logo were supplied by Springs.
