About Us

Paula and David Audley and their son, Sam Homfray, are well known to North Norfolk Fish and Chip fans having spent nearly twenty five years frying in the area.

Between them they have operated fish and chips shops in Aldborough, Norwich, Gorleston, Cromer and North Walsham and managed a shop in Walton on Thames, and concessions in Holiday Parks in Great Yarmouth and Belton.

Following a very successful spell running Park Chippy in Suffield Park, Cromer, they decided to return to their home town of North Walsham in 2001.

Initially they opened in Hall Lane using three old cottages which had been converted to a restaurant. This gave the business its unusual name.

The demand for their fish and chips quickly grew causing problems for both themselves and their customers as the premises were not designed for this trade. When the opportunity came to move the business and convert a former computer repair shop to a purpose designed Fish and Chip shop they were able to provide their customers with a better service.

Since then the business has continued to grow and prosper receiving many Awards and recommendations and gaining a reputation for serving top quality fish and chips and converting customers to friends. Following a really good restaurant review in the local Eastern Daily Press demand for tables again caused a problem so in early 2010 work began on an extension to provide seating for an extra ten diners and larger preparation areas. These wer completed and opened early July. It took just over forty minutes to fill them for the first time and demand continues to grow.

What's the secret of their success? We believe it is quite simple.

"Throughout our many years of frying and serving fish and chips, we have been well supported by loyal customers. Although, like everyone else, we have to earn enough to pay the bills, that is certainly not our main reason for running a Fish and Chip business. There are, after all, easier ways to earn a living!

We really enjoy our work as many of our regular customers will testify. Our unusual approach to customer relations at our Suffield Park shop led to us being featured in the local daily newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press, as a 'Merry Band of Friars'. Their reporting of our habit of insulting regular customers led to people travelling 20 miles or more to buy their fish and chips and complaining if we didn't insult them!

Whilst the fun with our customers makes the work far more enjoyable, our greatest satisfaction is in producing absolute top quality fish and chips. The Three Cottages Fish Restaurant was conceived and designed to attempt to produce the 'Best Fish and Chips in the World'. The shop is equipped with a top quality high efficiency frying range and only the very best available fish is used. By ensuring every stage of preparing, storing and frying is correct we aim to provide every customer with the same top quality meal. All meals are cooked to order and, whilst this may mean a wait during busy periods, this individual attention ensures that the same high standards are enjoyed on every visit.

Whilst we only claim to aim for the Best Fish and Chips in the World and would not presume to claim such an achievement, many customers tell us they believe they are eating just that!"

Since opening in May 2002, the restaurant has grown in popularity attracting customers from as far afield as Norway, Holland and even Japan as well as regular visitors from throughout the United Kingdom. It was awarded the prestigious Seafish Friers Quality Award every year from opening until the Award ended in 2008 and when North Norfolk District Council introduced 'scores on the doors' was awarded the maximum five stars.

David Audley served as National President of the Federation of Fish Friers and is currently Chairman of the  Eastern Seafish Training Association . He has often been called upon to answer media questions on behalf of the fish frying industry.