A real seaside treat

The perfect size, our whelks are small and delicious. They’re cooked and frozen individually, so if you buy them frozen you can defrost small amounts at a time. Our whelk connoisseurs agree that these are amongst the best they’ve ever tasted.

Whelks aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but for those who love them, King’s Lynn whelks are something special.

King’s Lynn has been at the heart of the UK whelk trade for generations. The shallow, nutrient-rich waters of the Wash produce whelks with a firm texture and clean, sweet flavour, prized by both British seaside traditionalists and European markets alike.

Whelks are harvested using baited pots rather than trawls, a slow and selective method that allows fishermen to target the right size while leaving smaller whelks to grow on. Once landed, they’re traditionally cooked soon after landing - a key reason why quality whelks from King’s Lynn have such a loyal following.

Often associated with seaside holidays and paper cones of whelks and vinegar, they’re also enjoyed simply with pepper, a squeeze of lemon, or stirred through a seafood salad for a proper taste of the coast.

Did you know… King’s Lynn whelks have been exported to Europe for generations and are especially prized in countries like France and Belgium, where they’re considered a delicacy rather than a novelty.