Best restaurants in St Albans: where to eat and drink
The best food spots to try in St Albans, including the city’s most popular pizzeria, sharing tacos and our favourite farm shop cafés, restaurants and bakeries
Looking for restaurants in St Albans? Want to know where to eat in the cathedral city? Local Charlotte Morgan shares her insider tips for the best places to eat in St Albans, including where to find the best cocktails, cinnamon buns and tacos. For more travel guides, check out our best foodie day trips from London by train and small towns across the UK that every foodie should visit. Also discover our pick of the best restaurants in Winchester, best restaurants in Oxford and best restaurants in Cambridge. Best places to eat and drink in St Albans Iberos – best for small plates This new counter-style restaurant is inspired by the tabernas of Spain and Portugal, and it’s quickly become one of my favourite recent openings in St Albans. I’ve visited twice since it opened in November, drawn back by its buzzy atmosphere and sleek, modern décor. It feels like exactly what the city has been missing, bringing to mind stylish London spots such as Oma or Bocca di Lupo – somewhere to meet friends for a glass of wine and a few plates, without committing to a long, formal meal. I kicked things off with an Agua de Verano cocktail, a refreshing mixture of cava, gin, orange blossom and orange bitters, though I was also tempted by the spiced winter sangria. The wine list focuses exclusively on Spain and Portugal, and there are thoughtful non-alcoholic options too: the olive lemonade is excellent (also great over dry sherry and ice). Food-wise, start at the bar with buttery jamón ibérico cebo de campo, carved in front of you, alongside salt cod fritters with aïoli, and creamy Olavidia goat’s cheese drizzled with honey. A small selection of larger plates changes seasonally. On my last visit, highlights included fried ceps with an oozy egg yolk and a gloriously fatty (in the best way) ibérico pork chop with artichoke hearts. I’m told the skate wing is not to be missed, so that’s next on my list. Desserts are intentionally limited: almond torte, wine-poached pear and what’s fast becoming a signature: panna cotta with olive oil and sea salt. I went for the latter and can confidently call it my favourite dessert of the year, best enjoyed with a glass of oloroso. Iberos is walk-in only, so get there early if you want one of the few tables at the back. iberos.co.uk Dylans at The Kings Arms – best for cosy, seasonal gastropub dining Wander down the cobblestoned George Street in St Albans’ Cathedral Quarter (flat shoes recommended) and you’ll find Dylans at The Kings Arms, one of the city’s oldest and cosiest pubs, set inside a beautiful 15th-century Tudor building. It’s my go-to local for an after-work drink, mainly because of its fantastic bar snacks – don’t miss the smoked duck scotch egg with Guinness brown sauce. This is a proper neighbourhood gem, loved by locals for its warm, unfussy hospitality, an impressive line-up of craft beers, specialist wines and spirits, and a comforting but elevated British dining menu. The food is all about simplicity and quality, with menus that change seasonally and make the most of excellent produce from small local suppliers. Highlights for me include beautifully cooked Cornish fish, rich txuleta dairy cow rib and elevated pub classics done with real care and confidence. The sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream is hard to resist. The pub itself is compact and full of character. The front bar is often buzzing at weekends, while the restaurant at the back seats around 50 and feels cosy and intimate, making it a great choice for a special dinner. Expect rustic décor, candles, floral touches and plenty of twinkly lights. There’s a bar menu for casual visits, a more formal à la carte offering and a great-value set lunch (£25 for two courses, £29 for three), which is one of the best in town. dylanskingsarms.com Gracey’s Pizza – best for pizza Who would have thought that Chiswell Green, a quiet conurbation halfway between St Albans city centre and the M25, would be home to 2024’s most talked-about St Albans eatery? Gracey’s Pizza, next to the village store, is so popular that townsfolk like me have been waking up early to guarantee a slot on its online click-and-collect system. It's a tiny joint, with one or two tables inside, a few places to perch outside and an open kitchen where the family-run team transform smooth balls of 36-hour fermented dough into American-style pizzas with crunchy crusts, charred air bubbles and a San Marzano tomato sauce. It's a sauce so flavoursome and fresh that one pizza, the marinara, doesn’t even need cheese on top to be a success – just a few shavings of sweet garlic and fresh oregano (no dried herbs here). Whether it’s the pizza sauce, hand-cut slices of spicy Calabrian salami, 36-month aged parmesan, or dough made from flour milled at nearby Redbournbury Mill (a beautiful working mill – visit for bags of flour and fat eccles cakes), it’s the quality of ingredients that really makes these pizzas shine. If you can only choose one, get The New Haven – baked extra-long for optimal charring, with a base thick with sauce, two types of mozzarella, Pecorino Romano and garlic. graceyspizza.com Hazéls – best for a special occasion Hazéls, a pocket-sized, candle-lit restaurant with linen café curtains and warm, wooden interiors, only opened in July 2024 and is already the most fashionable place to eat in St Albans. It’s the passion project of chef (and St Albans local) Drew Knight, whose love for ‘jazz kissa’ (niche Japanese jazz cafés with high-end audio systems) inspired the venture. A custom-built oak bar at the back showcases Drew’s vinyl jazz collection, which is played throughout the evening by guest DJs on twin vintage turntables. The sound system is on its own circuit to avoid interference, and even audio ingénues will notice how crisp the acoustics are. It’s more than just background music – but still unobtrusive, and not loud enough to drown conversation out. You’re welcome at Hazéls for just a glass of wine, craft local beer or short cocktail (we liked the rhubarb negroni for its aroma and rhubarb-infused vermouth), but Drew’s French-style menu shouldn’t be missed. We loved the panisse, a trio of cylindrical cheesy chickpea chips with the lightness of a gougère and a velvety comté middle. Also from the small plate menu is the juiciest fillet of flaky Cornish mackerel, balanced on top of pommes Anna and finished with sauce vierge and tiny basil leaves; and a towering wedge of airy focaccia sprinkled with sea salt chunks and spread with whipped cultured butter. Larger plates (double in price and size) might include grilled onglet steak with courgette two ways (buttery chunks and mouth-puckering pickles); and Cornish sole on the bone, the star of which was the accompanying flavour-packed moules marinière. It’s worth noting that Hazéls is probably best enjoyed by omnivores – and adults, for that matter (over 12s only). Finish with lemon tart for dessert, with its crème brûlée-style topping and wobbly, lemon curd filling, or a signature Snickers old fashioned (peanut butter, cacao nib, salted chocolate and bourbon). hazels-stalbans.co.uk Per Tutti – best for Italian “For everyone” indeed, family-run Per Tutti manages to keep us all happy: bustling groups of friends, young families hoping for a kids’ menu (two courses and a drink for under £8), and quiet couples in search of romance will all find sanctuary here. From the outside, with its pretty red bricks and curved bay window, Per Tutti looks like a tiny trattoria, but it’s a rabbit warren inside, with tables tucked into all sorts of corners and an expansive dining room upstairs (the place to be for big groups). Our preference is the cosy, softly lit space on the ground floor, where olive-green panelled walls and low-hanging pendant lights set the scene for intimacy. Risotto gamberetti, with its fat prawns and flecks of chilli, is excellent, but we suggest picking from the pasta menu: homemade, paper-thin ravioli stuffed with velvety butternut squash, or long strips of fettuccine in a rich Italian sausage, red wine and rosemary sauce are our current favourites. pertutti.co.uk Boot Cantina at The Boot – best for sharing plates Built in 1420 right next to the city’s Clock Tower (the pub walls would have witnessed the very first Wars of the Roses battle), The Boot and its gnarled wooden beams has always been worth visiting. But, now that Boot Cantina is here, it’s an absolute must. The team launched its sharing fusion menu in 2021. Hand-sized tacos are piled high with vibrant and eclectic toppings, including rich confit duck leg with oi muchim (a kind of spicy cucumber salad), gochujang mayo and chipotle black cherry jam; and slow-cooked pork with jalapeño coleslaw, chipotle barbecue sauce and pickled pink onions. It's all very relaxed – go with your pals and order as many different taco types as you can (but leave room for the chocolate-stuffed churros). Want to keep the party going? Head to The Boot’s sophisticated sister pub, Dylans at The Kings Arms on George Street (a 45-second walk away), for craft beer and specialist cocktails in a 15th-century tudor building. It serves an excellent espresso martini made with 58 and Co British vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and The Gentlemen Barsita’s espresso. @bootcantina No Nuisance – best for cocktails Also on George Street (probably the prettiest shopping street in the city) is No Nuisance, a new cocktail bar from mixologist maestro Alastair Burgess, owner of the London speakeasy bar Happiness Forgets. Head here to sip exceptional cocktails in a trendy, low-lit, moody bar decorated with splashes of crimson and mustard-yellow bar stools. There are at least 10 cocktails to choose from, including classics (we love the spicy margs for their chilli oil kick) and innovative concoctions. Brighter Later is an irresistible, fragrant blend of mezcal, umeshu Japanese liqueur, amontillado sherry and genmaicha tea – sweet and slightly sour, with a buttery, toasty aroma. @nonuisancebar Sopwell House – best for afternoon tea Sopwell House Hotel is a grand affair, with more than 100 rooms, two restaurants, a spa and 12 acres of grounds to its name. Among all of that, the best place to relax is in the cocktail lounge, where afternoon tea is served. It’s a long, breezy room that starts at a marble-topped bar and stretches all the way to a library, with little alcoves and giant sash windows along the way. Waiters make the rounds with silver trays of sandwich refills, and scones are well-risen and shiny on top, with fluffy interiors and a good bite. But, by far the best tier of Sopwell House’s afternoon tea stand is the homemade cake selection. Bright-yellow lemon macarons burst with zest, their shiny shells sandwiched together with a thin layer of sharp raspberry jam. Little pastry cases come filled with soft crème patisserie and topped with blackberries, and deliciously moist squares of carrot cake are decorated with chocolate feathers. sopwellhouse.co.uk For more, check out the best afternoon teas in London. Darlish – best for ice cream Darlish, the Persian ice cream specialists, set up shop here in spring 2018, bursting onto the scene with a clever seasonal special – hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. All the ice cream is made by hand in St Albans, and it sits in creamy mounds under silver domes on the countertop. Blackboards spell out the day’s flavours: floral orange blossom studded with pistachios and apricot, aromatic coconut and cardamom, or sweet cream and sour cherry. There are sorbets, too (vegan coconut and raspberry rhubarb, with an intensely sweet and sharp berry flavour, is our favourite) and you can garnish your chosen flavour with a sprinkle of homemade halva or sesame brittle. Turkish coffee, deep-red Persian tea and mini cones for children are also available. A couple of tables line the walls, but you’re best off moseying around the weekend market (which dates back to the ninth century) or nearby St Albans cathedral while you lick – this is a very pretty part of town. darlish.com Lussmanns – best for a sustainable dinner Lussmanns is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that you can always rely on. The bright, modern space is a reflection of what to expect from the menu: clean, colourful plates of food, smartly presented without pretension. Menu highlights include a pretty tangle of seasonal salad leaves, lovage pesto, roast beetroot and local Wobbly Bottom goat’s cheese to start, and plaice with North Sea brown shrimps and a coin of melting paprika butter for main. Ninety five per cent of the ingredients used at Lussmanns are grown or produced in the UK, all the fish is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) approved, the beef and mutton is organic (try the latter in an aromatic kofta with a brioche bun and cucumber mint raita), and the British Saddleback pork is woodland-reared. Order a pint of Farrs Brew bitter, Mad Squirrel pilsner, Zealous pilsner or Three Brewers classic English ale with your dinner – all of them are brewed in Hertfordshire. lussmanns.com The Waffle House – best for waffles Opposite a quaint ford and over the brow of an 18th-century brick bridge, The Waffle House is well worth the 10-minute walk from St Albans city centre. It sits in the middle of St Michael’s village (a winding road lined with red-brick cottages and ancient pubs) and is housed in a 16th-century watermill. Choose from a menu devoted to Belgian waffles made from organic flour milled just three miles away, including a breakfast special of smoked back bacon, fried banana and grilled vine tomatoes. Make a feast of it by ordering a savoury waffle to start (topping highlights include slow-cooked barbecue pulled pork with homemade slaw) and a sweet waffle to finish. The latter are piled high with everything from banana and crumbled flapjack, to pecans and butterscotch sauce – there’s always a seasonal special, too, such as blueberry-studded waffles with wild blueberry sauce. Help yourself to as much maple syrup as you like, and don’t forget to marvel at the original water wheel and millstones before you leave. Once only a breakfast and lunchtime spot, The Waffle House is now open for dinner, too. wafflehouse.co.uk The Potting Shed – best for lunch Carpenters Nursery, with its position just off the main road to Sandridge village, is easy to miss. But, locals know better than to pass by this treasure-trove of home-grown produce. It’s been both a garden centre and farm shop since 1923, selling vegetables grown in the fields right next to the building. A tiny team of three plant seeds in early spring, eventually filling the farm shop with everything from chard and marrows, to red lettuce, beetroot and Brussels sprout tops. Optimal freshness is the aim: carrots pulled and bunched in the morning are on the shop shelves an hour later. You can also pick up cereals, soaps, beers, chocolate, eggs, oil, honey and even vodka, all from Hertfordshire producers, and there’s always a hefty selection of organic breads made by Redbournbury Mill (the same folk who mill flour for The Waffle House). Even better, a barn at the back of the farm shop has been converted into a sleek café, which transforms all that home-grown produce into breakfast, brunch and lunch. The Potting Shed is a modern, L-shaped space flanked by bifold doors that beautifully frame a rockery with open fields beyond. It’s a bucolic view, given how close you are to St Albans city centre. Mushrooms on toast for brunch may sound modest, but you’ll be served a powerful plate of punchy pickled mushrooms on sourdough with a poached egg, truffle oil and a little puff of superbly rich goat’s cheese mousse. For something bigger, try harissa-roasted sweet potato with hummus, chill and garlic kale, fried capers and tahini yogurt. There’s a separate kids' menu and an afternoon tea option with homemade scones and local jam. pottingshedcafe.com, carpentersnursery.co.uk/farm-shop The Prae Wood Arms – best for a country pub Once a standard carvery joint, this “little cottage” (as described by its original owner, Lady Frances Cooke Grimston, in 1838) has been transformed by Brunning & Price into The Prae Wood Arms, a destination pub and restaurant. You can walk to it via The Gorhambury Estate, which encompasses a roman theatre, the 16th-century ruins of a house built by Sir Nicholas Bacon, a neo-palladian mansion, babbling River Ver brooks, and dense woodland that's home to everything from muntjacs to woodruff (a sweet-fragranced plant with tiny white flowers that taste like vanilla). Downstairs is a warren of dining rooms, each with its own ambience from family-friendly to romantic, and most tables have views of the pub’s expansive lawn and the Gorhambury Estate beyond. There’s even a rickety wooden gate that leads from The Prae to the banks of the River Ver, which shines with wild trout. A rusty old tractor, piles of gnarled tree trunks and a gentle hill to roll down keeps kids entertained for hours, while parents watch from a terrace sheltered by an elegant iron awning. It’s posh pub grub to eat, including braised shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise and rosemary gravy, baked whole plaice with butter sauce and, for dessert, a teeth-tingling sticky toffee pudding with matching sauce. To drink, order from a mighty gin menu, which is split into flavour profiles (there are 23 options in “smooth and fruity” alone), or go for a pint of Side Pocket for a Toad, a citrussy, floral golden ale that’s brewed in nearby Tring. brunningandprice.co.uk/praewoodarms Bishop’s Cave – best for cheese Holywell Hill, said to be the site where Saint Alban was executed (his head apparently rolled all the way to the bottom), never used to be fashionable, but over the past decade several independent restaurants – including the aforementioned Per Tutti – have chosen it as their home. Bishop’s Cave, sister to the original Cave in Bishop’s Stortford, is the city’s first cheese, wine and craft beer emporium, and it’s housed in one of the Hill’s most historic spaces. Sloping beamed roofs, geometric tiled floors and crumbly red-brick walls ooze history, while a St Albans coat of arms, soft lighting and vintage wine crates add to the atmosphere. Create your own cheeseboard from a fridge crammed with around 45 options (try Baron Bigod, Britain’s first unpasteurised brie; gruyère-style Red Wine Farmer, which is washed in Swiss red wine; or Darling Blue for its mellow butteriness) and eat it alongside a glass of Tuffon Hall English pinot noir. There are also more than 100 modern and craft beers to sip, including Millionaire – a decadent salted caramel milk stout made by Wild Beer. Prefer spirits? The team behind Bishop’s Cave has recently opened The Gin Cave in the shop next door, where you can pick from a menu of more than 70 small-batch gins – try a spicy, citrus-tinged Silverback Old Tom gin with lemongrass tonic. thebishopscavestalbans.co.uk, thegincave.co.uk More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in the Lake District
Beyond London - 10 regional bakeries putting their towns on the map
From Eccles cakes in Suffolk to sourdough in Wales and croissants in Scotland, these are the British bakeries worth travelling for
When I first embarked on the task of discovering and documenting Britain’s best bakeries I set myself the goal of uncovering the city favourites, but also the specialist independent businesses tucked away in more remote towns and neighbourhoods. The idea was for the book to tell the stories of bakeries worth making a trip for – whether that’s a 5 minute stroll from your home (in pyjamas), or a mini-break designed entirely around a destination bakery. These ten bakeries, all featured in the second edition of my book wonderfully serve the towns they are located in – making wholesome bread and beautiful viennoisserie that both satisfy locals and thrill visiting bakery fans. Imma, Henley-on-Thames The Van Alloys Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Henley isn’t the most glamorous destination, but this unusual location makes Imma even more of a revelation. Owner Tona Erreguin’s previous ventures include two philosophy PhDs and running a fine dining restaurant in Mexico. Preferring the title ‘Head Chef’ to ‘Baker’, she brings culinary flair and creativity to Imma’s goods (the orange curd and meringue pastry, finished with a scalding-hot blast from an iron, is just one example of her anarchic food alchemy). But Imma also do the classics very well. Their Oxford Country Loaf, with a beautiful leafy illustration scored into its crust, was declared the best sourdough in the country at Britain’s Best Loaf 2024 competition (Imma added three more gold medals to their haul the following year). Most lycra-clad visitors swing by after a cycle ride and get their goods to go, but if you’re enjoying a slower morning, there are seats to perch on and coffee made from locally roasted beans. immabakery.com Pump Street Bakery, Orford The dusty-pink facade of this pioneering speciality bakery has become almost as iconic as the sweet creations they sell inside. Pump Street Bakery was one of the first destination artisan bakeries in the UK and are well known for their craft chocolate, made by hand from bean-to-bar using traditional methods. Located in a 15th-century building on the charming Suffolk coast, the bakery was founded in November 2010 by father and daughter team, Chris and Joanna Brennan. You’ll find their chocolate at their boutique across the road, but it’s worth sampling a pain au chocolat with your coffee so you can taste it in action, enveloped in addictively flaky pastry. But this isn’t all they’re known for: pick up other Pump Street favourites from the generously stocked counter, including the bear claw (croissant dough folded over a light almond frangipane, finished with a dusting of icing sugar) or their excellently humble Eccles cake (butter puff pastry punctuated with currants and raisins). pumpstreetchocolate.com Orange Bakery, Watlington It’s easy to adore the father-daughter team behind Orange, who radiate kindness and enthusiasm for everything they do. Al taught his daughter Kitty to bake as a coping mechanism when she suffered from depression, and their shared hobby bloomed into a small business. At one point sleeping next to the oven as it was the only place where she felt safe, Kitty’s love and passion for bread have grown ever since, and she now helps others find the joy in baking with her creative initiatives – most recently the Kitty’s Kits bread mixes. Each item on the menu has a story, from the Albert loaf, a tribute to Kitty’s brother who prefers white sliced to sourdough (delicious toasted with butter and marmite), to the brilliantly creative half-pizza half-bagel ‘bialys’. Not only are the Orange Bakery team talented; they’re promoting a great cause – 100 per cent of the Kitty’s Kits profits go to Breaducation charity, which gives free bread classes and kits to schools, prisons, food banks and community groups. instagram.com/the_orangebakery/ Chez Maitre, Eltham Pierre Maitre spent years working in prestigious pastry kitchens before a stint baking at home during the Covid lockdown inspired him to open Chez Maitre in October 2022. After renovating the venue in the old Eltham railway station entirely himself, Pierre set about creating a traditional French sourdough boulangerie with community at the heart of the operation (the staff’s lovely rapport with locals says it all). Real attention to detail runs through every aspect of Chez Maitre, from the beautiful antique chemist cabinets used to display pastries and cakes, to the speciality coffee beans from UK-based Extract Coffee. The baked goods on offer here show an unrivalled level of expertise and knowledge: immaculately glossy laminated croissants and exemplary baguettes (with awards to prove it) – the perfect vehicle for a classic jambon-beurre sandwich. It is difficult to know what to choose, but the tarts are particularly special. These striking bakes are an ode to the seasonal fruit: sharp, ripe rhubarb sprinkled with crushed pistachios; pineapple and coconut frangipane. Buy them by the slice – or whole, if you’re feeling greedy. chezmaitre.com Gwyn’s, Horsham A gem of the West Sussex food scene, this Horsham bakery is owned by Ben Lines, whose extensive cheffing experience includes a stint at triple-Michelin-starred The Fat Duck. Humble in every sense of the word, Ben chose to honour his mother’s great uncle with the bakery’s name. The purpose-built building is refreshingly spacious, an open-plan bakery and cafe, with clean stylish design by Jon May. Gwyn’s core range includes a variety of sourdough, white and wholegrain loaves, and the pastry section highlights the team’s nut- and sesame-free kitchen with linseed chocolate croissants and seasonal Danishes. But from the sweet pastries, it is the pillowy sugar-encrusted cinnamon buns that are a favourite with regular customers, with their addictive balance of sugar and spice. Order a takeaway coffee (made from ethically sourced beans that are roasted locally, of course) and appreciate the brilliantly cheerful illustrated paper cups by Tom’s friend, Joanna Hu. gwynsbakery.co.uk Oast, Margate This lovable neighbourhood bakery is found in Margate’s hippest district, Cliftonville. Run by husband-and-wife team Will and Charlotte, Oast is named after the buildings synonymous with the Kent countryside (the area’s Oast Houses, with their signature conical roofs, were traditionally used to dry out hops). It is a calming space, with muted dark green tones and communal wooden tables that encourage long, relaxed brunches. Both Will and Charlotte grew up and met in Kent, but baker Will learned his craft in Edinburgh’s artisan bakeries. Oast offers a wide range of breads, from sourdoughs to rye, yeasted loaves to sweet buns, which all sell out fast. The counter offers an enticing selection of pastries (cheesecake cookies and pumpkin-spiced buns are highlights), plus sandwiches to enjoy with a perfectly poured coffee from nearby Curve Coffee Roasters. oastmargate.co.uk Angel Bakery, Abergavenny Abergavenny is a Welsh town known for its artisan food businesses and local creativity, and The Angel Bakery and general store is found at its heart. When it opened in 2016, two bakers (Sophie Kumar and Polly Hunter) made everything from long-fermented sourdough breads to immaculately laminated pastries. The team has grown, thanks to increased demand, and Angel also now supplies wholesale customers. There is a lot of choice when it comes to choosing your breakfast here: fresh fruit Danishes are delightful (often showcasing a seasonal stone fruit like peaches or plums) and their satisfying, sugary brown butter and hazelnut cookies are perfect with a coffee. But it is the assortment of breads that defines this bakery: opt for bouncy focaccia (which also features in their hefty sandwiches) or one of their five organic sourdough loaves. Set within the bakery, the shop is a wonder emporium of artisan foods and produce, all sourced from like-minded, eco-conscious companies. theangelbakery.com Aran Bakery, Dunkeld If you are journeying to the Highlands, stop here en route. Found in the quaint town of Dunkeld, Great British Bake Off alum Flora Shedden is behind this beautiful business, with its whimsical floral entrance and chic, minimalist branding. ‘Aran’ is an old Gaelic word meaning ‘bread of loaf’, and the name is apt: with seeded rolls and cheddar and kimchi toasties, bread is at the centre of the offering. Flavour and style go hand-in-hand with everything Flora creates, from the loaves stacked high on the bakery counter to the Danishes adorning her social media feed (including praline or potato dauphinoise). Aran is a feast for the eyes. There are a few places to perch inside, but better to grab your goodies and wander round the picturesque town. aran-bakery.com Bostock, North Berwick Everything that comes out of these ovens is reliably delicious, from sourdough breads to precise, French-style viennoiserie. The bakery is co-owned by Lindsay and Ross Baxter, with Ross having trained with Michelin star chefs across the country (winning the Scottish Food Awards’ Pâtissier of the Year in 2018), so it’s no surprise that Bostock’s bakes are brilliant. Named after a French pastry traditionally made with leftover bread and almonds, Bostock’s version is unique, made using a croissant loaf as the base. Dab hands at all things dough, they are known for their sourdough bread (made over 36 hours with organic flour) and bulky almond croissants, as well as the eponymous bostocks. The original bakery, a staple on the high street, can feel cramped at peak hours, but the newer East Linton branch is airier, popular with larger groups and cyclists cruising along the dramatic North Berwick coastline. bostockbakery.co.uk Rye Bakery, Frome Just off Frome’s main street, in a glorious, lovingly restored former church, is Rye Bakery. Set up in 2017 by enthusiastic Frome locals Owen and Amy, the bakery was born from a seriously foodie background: Owen spent over ten years honing his skills working with bakers around the world, specialising in viennoiserie and sourdough bread, and met Amy (who previously cooked at Owen’s mum’s cafe) through their shared love of food. After a run of pop-ups making pizzas at festivals and markets, the couple started Rye, showcasing their passion for local grains to make their celebrated sourdough. The space is grand but has a welcoming feel, bustling with kids or groups of friends eager to relax over a baked snack and a good cup of coffee. Everything on the Rye counter is utterly divine, from glossy croissants to dense chocolatey brownies – and the lunch menu will convince you to stay for your next meal, too. rye-bakery.com Britain’s Best Bakeries (2nd Edition) by Milly Kenny-Ryder is £22.95 and is out now. 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10 premium hot chocolates in London to try this festive season
Fight the winter blues and treat yourself to one of these handcrafted hot chocolates, expertly blended for a bespoke and luxury experience
As the temperature drops and Christmas lights start to twinkle, there’s nothing more comforting than wrapping your hands around a cup of thick, silky hot chocolate. London is home to a bundle of independent cafés stirring up luxurious versions of this classic winter warmer – read on to discover where to find the most indulgent hot chocolates this festive season. Recreate a rich and creamy hot chocolate in the comfort of your kitchen with our hot chocolate recipes, including a chocolate orange twist and boozy alternative. Or seek more ways to make the most of the season with our four festive UK city getaways perfect for shopping, eating and exploring and these magical winter travel experiences for food lovers. Maison Pierre Marcolini, Notting Hill This glossy new boutique from the famed French chocolatier is the first of the Marcolini emporiums to serve bean-to-cup hot chocolates, using cocoa beans sourced directly from independent producers in Madagascar, Peru, Cuba, Brazil and São Tomé. Super-smooth and milky serves include ‘Speculoos’ and a signature ‘Piedmont Hazelnut’, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and hazelnuts. Those who prefer a darker cup of chocolate are also catered for, with cocoa percentages ranging from 77%-83%. You can enjoy these artisanal creations hot or cold, with the choice of whole, pea or oat milk. We're excited to visit again soon to try its new hot chocolate which now comes with an espresso shot. marcolini.co.uk Barnabys, Covent Garden (and Tottenham Court Road and City of London) This handmade chocolate shop may be known for its thick, gooey chocolate bars, but its newer range of hot chocolates, using real chocolate, are just as noteworthy. Available in three flavours – classic, malt and peanut butter and caramel – all offerings are equally drool-worthy. Dip a bar of the weekend special into your cup and you'll notice that the chocolate pools in the bottom – just heavenly. barnabybars.com Dark Sugars, Greenwich A visit to Dark Sugars is a sensory experience, with their viral hot chocolate poured thick and topped with generous shavings of their own dark, milk or white chocolate. Each cup is a spectacle, crowned with curls of chocolate that melt into the drink, creating a multi-layered, ultra-rich treat. For hot chocolate aficionados, this one’s a no-brainer.⁠ darksugars.co.uk Chin Chin Desserts, Soho Chin Chin's team of dessert alchemists ensures everything is handmade in their Soho development kitchen, from theatrical cookie dough pie sundaes to boundary-pushing potato soft serve. Its unashamedly decadent hot chocolates are finished with gooey, flame-torched marshmallows, and festive specials from previous years include the snowball cookie hot chocolate, where a raspberry-filled coconut marshmallow sensually melts into the steaming chocolate. instagram.com/chinchinicecream The Nook, Hampstead There's possibly no nicer way to spend a London afternoon than mooching around leafy Hampstead with a hot chocolate in hand. Secure the goods at The Nook, a charming drinks and bites bar on a cosy little corner of Hampstead Heath. The team craft luxury chocolate milks by melting Belgium chocolate with steamed milk, resulting in a sweetly silky drink. Choose from six chocolate strengths, from 28% all the way up to 80%. Milk and cream is from The Estate Dairy and fresh roasted marshmallows from Kensal Sugar Kitchen. The list of specials is up there with some of the best, such as the Pistachio, which sees pistachio paste mixed into the chocolate. thenookhampstead.co.uk Mello by Chin Chin Ice cream, Covent Garden London's first marshmallow bar, complete with a viral-worthy marshmallow drawer, is fast becoming one of the city's hottest spots for a well earned 'sweet treat'. From the team at @chinchinicecream, you can expect smooth, nutty handcrafted sips capped with blowtorched marshmallows, with options including a hazelnut s’mores and even a frozen hot chocolate. instagram.com/mellodeluxe Qima Cafe, Fitzrovia Claiming to be the UK’s first tree-to-cup café, this smart coffee shop pays just as much attention to its hot chocolate as it does to coffee. Expect rich yet well-rounded cups, starring a creamy combination of single-origin 72% dark chocolate from the Solomon Islands and Valrhona's 70% Guanaja. It's then accented by a sweet dose of brown sugar, depth of cocoa powder and a final sprinkle of sea salt to keep the sweetness in check. Pair your cocoa with one of the flaky pastries on the counter. qimacafe.com Venchi, Covent Garden (and Richmond, King's Road and more) Find this Italian chocolate boutique and cafeteria right in the middle of Covent Garden. The signature hazelnut hot chocolate, poured from a tap and finished with a scattering of chopped nuts, is unabashedly rich, and may just be the thickest cup of cocoa going (and incomparable to shop-bought powder). There's even the option to drink its hot chocolate poured over ice cream, served in an elegant cocktail glass with lashings of whipped cream and a shot of Venchi's hazelnut chocolate. venchi.com Melt, Notting Hill (and Holland Park) This boutique chocolatier in West London stirs up hot chocolate with luxury front of mind, melting its signature house-made chocolate into thick, glossy, sippable heaven. Customers can choose their preferred chocolate, mix up flavours and top up with a flamed marshmallow for extra indulgence. meltchocolates.com William Curley, Soho This orange-painted boutique by Scottish chocolatier William Curley is a charming spot which promises cosy, comforting vibes. Order the rich, velvety classic or experiment with an Aztec chilli, Mayan spiced or gianduja variety. Whichever you choose, you can be certain that your beverage will be crafted with care and precision. williamcurley.co.uk Knoops, Richmond Despite the fact that multiple locations are sprouting across London, Knoops still takes hot chocolate incredibly seriously. Offering a menu of different cocoa percentages, origins and milk, you are free to choose your strength — from a creamy 34% milk to a punchy 85% dark — and add custom extras like orange zest, chilli or sea salt. Though the stores tend to fill up at peak times, each cup is still expertly blended for a bespoke, luxury experience. knoops.com
Lounge in a freestanding bath tub, take your pick from a pillow menu and tuck into Moroccan eggs with labneh at London’s best hotels
Looking for the best hotels in London? Want to know where to stay in central London? Our guide to London’s best boutique hotels… For more hotel inspiration, discover the best UK spa hotels for food lovers, the most romantic hotels in the UK and the best UK country house hotels. Check out some of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Battersea and best restaurants in Chelsea. The Hari, Belgravia – for a stylish hotel in the heart of the action Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com Tucked on smart a Belgravia terrace, this low-key and stylish hotel is bang in the heart of the London action. Its mid-century aesthetic – glossy marble, chic lighting, vintage-leaning furniture – is designer-sharp but warm feeling, and the team strikes a similar balance: relaxed, friendly and focussed. The food action centres on Il Pampero, a handsome Italian dining room with leather booths and mood lighting. The kitchen deals in big-flavour comfort: zingy tartare di tonno, creamy burrata with bitter radicchio and hazelnuts, and pici cacio e pepe spun theatrically through a whole wheel of cheese. There’s a tidy list of Italian wines, classic cocktails at the bar and a small roof terrace for a pre-dinner spritz. Rooms stay faithful to the hotel’s retro-modern polish. Our eighth-floor space framed a wide sweep of London, while the bathroom – clad in all-round marble – held a deep bath built into a bay-style window. Modern artwork, a well-chosen minibar, a slate board of macaroons and truffles on arrival, and sustainable toiletries from Jo Loves added to the thoughtful touches. Breakfast returns to Il Pampero, where a help-yourself counter heaving with smoothies, pastries and fruit sits beside a menu of cooked dishes. Speciality eggs, healthy plates and a reliable full English mean most bases are covered. It’s relaxed, plentiful and exactly what you want before a day exploring the capital. Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com The Laslett, Notting Hill – for period luxury with modern design From £350 per night, check availability at booking.com Set across a row of Victorian townhouses off Notting Hill Gate, The Laslett is a boutique hotel with heart. It’s polished but unfussy, with clean period detail offset by sharp modern design. Food is served from the informal Henderson Bar & Kitchen. Named after Russ Henderson, one of the founders of the Notting Hill Carnival, it runs a short all-day menu: padrón peppers, gazpacho and prawn croquetas as small plates; chicken milanese, lobster roll or stone bass with fregola for larger options. Ingredients are sourced from London suppliers like HG Walter and Natoora. Desserts include basque cheesecake or warmed chocolate brownie, while the bar serves local beers and classic cocktails. A small terrace for observing the west London street bustle comes into its own in summer. The vibrant rooms make use of airy floor-to-ceiling windows and bold interior design. Penguin Classics, vintage record players with hand-picked vinyl, and antiques from local dealers lend eccentric local character. Breakfast includes full english alongside pancakes, smoothie bowls, granola and the hotel’s signature bagel. Rooms start from £350 a night. Rooms start from £350 per night. Check availability at living-rooms.co.uk or booking.com Beaverbrook Townhouse, Sloane Square – for colourful luxury From £580 per night, check availability at booking.com Sloane Square’s Beaverbrook Townhouse is the city output of the original Surrey hotel, and is just as opulent. Behind the neat, period facade is a riot of art deco splendour and heritage nods. Hotel rooms are all named after London theatres and take interior design to giddy heights, with plushness, pastels, geometrics, florals, terrazzo and more, all thrown together harmoniously – an eccentric British aesthetic that feels very old school London. Unique touches include an epic bathroom with a waterfall shower decked in iridescent emerald tiles, a retractable and rotating TV, and velvety soft furnishings. The hotel’s restaurant is a true hidden gem – The Fuji Grill offers a highly polished Japanese dining experience centred around ‘Tapasu’, a take on tapas-style design that blends classic technique with a communal, small plates spirit. There’s a flawless sushi selection, including signature temaki alongside dishes cooked on a bincho charcoal grill, like sake kombu hispi cabbage, caramel ponzu long aubergine and yuzu miso black cod. The drinks menu, served from the cosily lit Sir Frank’s Bar, is vast and includes inventive cocktails and non-alcoholic versions, plus speciality sake and plenty of Japanese whisky. Service is attentive, friendly and relaxed. Breakfast is also served in the Fuji Grill restaurant, meaning it’s an ambient affair. Dishes include granola with Beaverbrook estate honey, homemade yogurt and peach compote, truffled eggs, full English and spinach scramble. Where to eat and drink nearby Sloane Square is at the heart of central-west London action and is close to Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington. You’ll find plenty of pubs with great food, including Ganymede, The Pig’s Ear and The Orange, plus special occasion restaurants like Cornus. Rooms start from £580 per night inclusive of breakfast and taxes for two guests in a Deluxe Room. Check availability at Beaverbook Townhouse or booking.com The Hoxton, Southwark – for a buzzy bar and Mediterranean vibe From £189, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton Southwark is a buzzy, 192-bedroom hotel that’s home to a low-key neighbourhood dining spot and a separate rooftop restaurant. Choose from five bedroom sizes with the smallest, Shoebox, offering a king-size bed and wall-to-wall windows, and the most spacious, Biggy, offering a super king-bed, a lounge area and a large bathroom. No matter what the size, you can expect mid-century furniture with vintage touches – pale-green panelled walls, red velvet headboards, dial-up telephones, cream Roberts radios and brass light switches to name a few. Those who want to wallow over a long soak will be disappointed (there are no baths) but spacious rainfall showers feel luxurious, with teal tiles and marble. Albie – the downstairs restaurant, bar and lounge – serves Italian and French-influenced plates, with on-trend terrazzo tables, wicker chairs and flickering tealights matching the Mediterranean design vibe. Take a seat at the marble bar, or sink into a velvet armchair, for a pre-dinner drink. The extensive cocktail menu features Hox classics, imaginatively named tipples with a twist, plus an impressive selection of no-alcohol brews, wines and spirits<. When it comes to food, the squidgy focaccia is a must-order, with a choice of French or Italian olive oil (we go for the former, and it’s got rich, grassy notes and a lusciously thick texture). Over half the menu is veggie; think goats cheese-stuffed courgette flower and burrata with slices of juicy white peach. Mains are on the lighter, so it’s worth opting for one of the heartier plates, such as creamy crab linguine, if you’re very hungry. Desserts steal the show; crème brûlée spiked with fragrant lavender and a tower of crisp, cocoa-dusted mille-feuille sandwiched with praline cream and hazelnuts – think posh Kinder Bueno. For more decadent dining, ride the lift up to Seabird, the hotel’s striking rooftop restaurant, to try something from London’s longest oyster list, or other fresh seafood dishes, against a backdrop of panoramic city views. In the morning, wake up to a light breakfast bag filled with fruit, a granola bar and a zesty juice shot (ginger, lemon, turmeric and apple on our visit), or head downstairs if you want something more substantial. Greenwich-based Paul Rhodes Bakery makes the hotel’s must-try pastries, from flaky pain au chocolat to almond swirls filled with lemony-marzipan, or order wedges of fluffy cinnamon-spiced brioche French toast. Where to eat and drink nearby The thoughtful in-room map and area guide gives guests a top 10 list of things to do south of the river. Among them a trip to the Bermondsey Beer Mile for craft breweries, Borough Market for top-notch food traders and The Blackfriar if you’re in search of a local boozer. Check out our guide to eating in London Bridge for more suggestions. From £189, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London – for a sustainable hotel with skyline views Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London is a fun – and sustainable – central London hotel with skyline views and child-friendly touches. Treehouse Hotels was founded on the playfulness and sense of adventure that inspire children to want to build treehouses, so it's little surprise that bedrooms here come with handmade, child-friendly details (think sloth teddy bears on the beds and coloured anoraks hanging in wardrobes). Depending on your budget (and need for space) there will almost certainly be a bedroom that suits, from the Lookout Twin, with views of The Shard, to the Skyline King, which overlooks the London Eye. Each room comes with rain showers, digital newspapers and bedside USB outlets. Not to mention cosy window nooks where you can rest and read. Decor is pared-back, with grey walls, white linen and exposed lightbulbs for reading lights, while the hotel's sleek bathrooms bring a touch of nature to proceedings with pot plants and tree stems. There are three restaurants to choose between: Madera serving Mexican cuisine, Pizzeria Mozza (a UK outpost of the famous LA restaurant from Nancy Silverton) and The Nest for rooftop drinks. Madera (from the Los Angeles-based restaurant group) offers a modern, farm-to-table approach, with dishes (many of which are veggie or vegan) ranging from tequila tofu marinated in pesto to wild mushroom enchiladas and a street-food taco box with five house-made corn tortillas (beef or wild mushroom) served with salsa, lime, coriander and onion. Cocktails make the most of locally produced spirits (Chase gin) as well as more unusual flavours (activated charcoal agave and matcha agave) to create an intriguing drinks list. Return to Madera in the morning for a Mexican-inspired breakfast feast. Start with carne asda and eggs or go for something sweet with decadent Mexican fiesta waffles topped with ice cream, dulce de leche and chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Join the queue at Sabor for camarones fritos (tiny shrimp, deep-fried and served with a crispy, paprika-dusted fried egg), or tuck into top-notch carbonara, peppery cacio e pepe and homemade cannoli at Al Dente. Find more places to eat and drink near Oxford Street here. Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com The Buxton, Shoreditch – for a Brick Lane boozer Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Buxton is a former Brick Lane boozer turned polished pub-with-rooms, reimagined by the team behind Commercial Street’s The Culpeper. Bedrooms are on the small side, which is one reason for their affordable pricing. Clever design and attention to detail, however, ensures they don’t feel cramped. High ceilings and original features add space and character while whitewashed walls and smart navy accents lend a fresh and contemporary feel. The heart of the action occurs in the slickly refurbished Victorian pub, on the ground floor (there are bedrooms and a roof terrace above) which is now a reimagined bistro and wine bar. Tall, graceful arched windows introduce plenty of light, while a sweeping rosso levanto marble counter acts as a stylish focal point. Food has an emphasis on prime produce (including from The Culpeper Family Group’s own urban farm in Deptford) and seasonality, and will change weekly to use the best of what's available. Simple dishes combine British produce with French and Mediterranean influences, to build a carefully curated selection of small plates to share. Our spring visit included creamy shredded duck on toast, asparagus in a decadent brown butter sauce, and Denver steak with sticky, umami-rich glazed hen of the wood mushrooms. Don't miss the cheese croquettes to start: crisp on the inside and melting within. Head downstairs for breakfast after a night in the bar and you’ll find the space transformed, and surprisingly serene. Order the granola with house preserve or fill up with a hearty full English. Where to eat and drink nearby On bohemian Brick Lane, you’ll find no shortage of places to eat and drink; try the street’s many curry houses, 24-hour bagel shops (salt beef is a must) plus nearby restaurants such as Lahpet, Smokestak and Sichuan Folk. Good local bars include The Cocktail Trading Co. and Apples & Pears. Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Pilgrm, Paddington – for a chic central stopover From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com A quirky, design-led, 73-bedroom hotel that’s brought a fine Victorian building in London’s Paddington back to life. Rooms are small so book the largest you can afford, and if you’re a light sleeper, ask for one away from the road. There are tiny (but very comfortable) bunk rooms, if you’re on a budget, or on a one-parent, one-child getaway. Decor is pared back and stylish, with slate-coloured walls contrasting with white sash windows and Egyptian linen-clad beds, and floors of reclaimed 200-year-old parquet giving a warm homely feel. Breakfast is the thing here, kicking off at 7am and continuing until 3pm in the vintage-chic first-floor lounge. There’s full-cooked Pilgrm (with house-baked beans) or a vegan version of smashed avocado, butternut squash hummus and a knock-out beetroot falafel. But the top seller is smashed avocado on toast with crumbled feta, which comes with the unexpected addition of a tomato and olive salsa. Where to eat and drink nearby Being in the heart of London, you’ve plenty of dinner choices nearby – from the cheap-and-cheerful Paramount Lebanese Kitchen, next door, to the Cleveland Arms around the corner, and Basque-styled Lurra and Donostia a short walk away. Read our guide to Paddington restaurants here From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com The Zetter Hotel, Clerkenwell – for panoramic city views From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Victorian warehouse turned hip boutique hotel in Clerkenwell, The Zetter has 59 retro-styled rooms. Rooms have a sleek mid-century vibe, and an attention to detail that elevates the guest experience, from plush UK-made REN toiletries in the bathroom to a well-stocked honesty tray of food and drink, and a mini library of Penguin paperbacks. We suggest choosing one of the hotel’s seven rooftop bedrooms, each of which comes with a private terrace and panoramic views of the city. We stayed in one of the spacious and light-filled rooftop deluxe studios, which have funky geometric interiors, sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and a freestanding rolltop bath on the terrace. Those into their drinks will also love the locally sourced minibar, which on our visit had bottles of East London Liquor Company rum, gin and vodka, Redchurch beer and JARR kombucha – all made in east London. Make yourself at home in the Lounge for cocktails and small plates – a cosy foodie bolthole to spend an evening. Where to eat and drink nearby It’s a 10-minute walk to Moro in Exmouth Market, for North African and Spanish-influenced tapas. From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Four Seasons Park Lane, London – for a central London spa experience Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Four Seasons Park Lane is a short walk from Hyde Park, the theatre district and a wealth of London attractions, but is situated on a serene street away from the hustle of the city. The hotel feels luxurious from the moment you’re ushered into the dramatic lobby, but the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You’ll find sleek rooms with plush beds, decadent marbled bathrooms and plenty of added little luxuries from room sprays to a pillow menu, they take sleep very seriously here. Dining at the hotel’s Pavylon restaurant is an all-round immersive experience, request a counter seat and the theatre you’ll spectate will rival any of the West End shows. Headed up by multi Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, it took him less than a year to win a star for Pavyllon. Them menu focuses on French classics using the finest British ingredients, each dish is presented like a work of art but the balance of flavours is where the real power in his dishes is held. You can expect plates like monkfish tail seared with black pepper oil, succulent Lake District lamb cutlets and flambéed cherries with almond ice cream. Breakfast is served a la carte and includes British and French classics, the Parisian omelette with ham, Comté cheese sauce and parsley is perfection, you’ll find plenty of freshly squeezed juices, pastries and exceptionally good coffee on the menu too. Situated at the very top of the hotel (you’ll find dramatic city views from the changing rooms and gym), the sleek spa is home to a salt-wall sauna, eucalyptus steam room and huge vitality pool which is difficult to tear yourself away from. The treatment menu offers everything from personalised facials to immersive sound bath healing. Where to eat and drink nearby You're spoilt for choice with this location being a short walk from Oxford Street, Soho or Victoria in any direction. Visit Sketch for a memorable afternoon tea or enjoy quietly luxurious special occasion dining at Cornus in Eccleston Place. Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Coach, Clerkenwell – for a Sunday roast and sleepover Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Chef-restaurateur Henry Harris has transformed this popular independent pub in Clerkenwell into a well-executed French restaurant-with-rooms. Hidden down a quiet street in the heart of Clerkenwell, The Coach has been refurbished with the addition of four small, boutique-style rooms. The lively pub is child-friendly and serves a variety of beers, lagers and wines from local breweries as well as a selection of cocktails. For our aperitif we opted for a strong, citrussy negroni followed by a full-bodied, fruity red Château Laussac Cuvée La Dame. Visit on a Sunday for the classic Sunday roast – succulent 48-day aged Hereford sirloin of beef with punchy horseradish came with crispy duck-fat potatoes, sweet baby carrots and plenty of crunchy greens. Finish with a super-light blood orange posset with delicate lemon shortbreads and a verrine made with sought-after Gariguette strawberries, silky smooth crème pâtissière and chantilly cream. Upstairs, plenty of light floods into the compact rooms through double sash windows, framed by funky grey and yellow blinds. Modern art features on whitewashed walls and boutique hotel luxuries add a welcoming touch (Roberts radio, chrome light shades and Bramley hand soap). The bathrooms evoke the design of an old-school coach, while little white tiles add a retro twenties stamp. The bright, art-filled breakfast room overlooks a small terrace alive with greenery. Choose from a small menu – try bowls full to the brim with crunchy coconut and pecan granola or indulge in the full Coach breakfast of thick-cut bacon, crispy fried eggs, buttery mogettes (beans) and sourdough from Bread Ahead bakery. Where to eat and drink nearby Exmouth Market is on your doorstep, where you’ll find an array of independent shops, bars and restaurants, including Pizza Pilgrims, Morito and Berber & Q. Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Bingham Riverhouse - for riverside views and chic interiors Perched along the Thames, this boutique bolthole is a dream for food lovers seeking a tranquil retreat with a touch of history. Housed in a chic Georgian townhouse with a fascinating literary past, the hotel is home to a sun-dappled terrace overlooking the stunning gardens and River Thames – as well as luxurious drawing room with a roaring fire place, perfect for afternoon tea or an expertly mixed cocktail. Breakfast is served in a cozy library lined with rows of vintage Penguin paperbacks, and includes a generous buffet as well as a menu with all of the classics. Beyond the hotel’s indulgent offerings, its location provides easy access to some of London’s most scenic attractions. A short stroll brings you to the vast greenery of Richmond Park, where wild deer roam freely, while the riverside towpath is ideal for leisurely walks or a sunset jog. After a day exploring local markets and gastropubs, unwind in one of the 14 beautifully designed rooms, each named after a poem by Michael Field. Expect mid-century elegance with thoughtful touches like Hebridean wool throws and artisan crystals. Opt for a river-facing room to enjoy stunning Thames views, along with a statement Catchpole & Rye copper bathtub—perfect for a post-dinner soak. Where to eat and drink nearby You are just a short walk along the river away from Petersham Nurseries cafe and restaurant. Rooms from £190 per night, check availability at binghamriverhouse.com or <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100565798-11795693?sid=olivemagazine-226739&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fhotel%2Fgb%2Fthe-bingham.en-us.html%3Faid%3D811995%26label%3Daffnetcj-11795693_pub-5306979_site-100565798_pname-Immediate%2520Media_clkid-olivemagazine-147252_cjevent-28ed6645bb9211ee812000d80a18b8f8%26sid%3D1445e016f12e209a9562b523f90d2e21%26dist%3D0%26keep_landing%3D1%26sb_price_type%3Dtotal%26type%3Dtotal%26utm_campaign%3Dgb%26utm_medium%3Dbannerindex%26utm_source%3Daffnetcj%26utm_term%3Dindex-11795693%26" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored">booking.com The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair – for old school opulence Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com Old school opulence and faultless hospitality are the name of the game at The Beaumont. The polished walnut panelling, shiny marble floors and gilded edges set the scene as you walk into the Art Deco-style lobby. Suites are just as plush, with luxurious touches and 5-star attention to detail: Beaumont-stamped chocolate, sweets and snack jars all waited in our room, while sustainable toiletries were by heritage London perfumer D.R Harris. Rooms and suites are stylish, ultra-comfy and peaceful, cocooned from the busy Central London streets below. There’s even a room designed by artist Antony Gormley. The hotel’s Colony Grill is an elevated take on an NYC steakhouse, serving classics done with serious panache. Everything on the menu is that little bit extra: the tame-sounding shrimp cocktail arrives as grand whole prawns fanning from a stemmed bowl; the steak is salt-aged in-house and served with whipped bearnaise; you can build-your-own sundae using a fun tick sheet (we added a chestnut and rosemary ice cream to ours). Breakfast is served in The Colony Grill and is just as chic as dinner. We ate smoked salmon, scrambled egg and brioche with house-pressed pomegranate juice, but the made-to-order menu is huge and includes signature hashes, cold breakfasts, pancakes, French toast and eggs served every which way you can imagine. The Viennoiserie table included almond croissants, cinnamon rolls and pain au chocolat, all made in the Beaumont bakery. Service is impeccable. The peaceful basement spa at the Beaumont has a really fun USP – its range of hammam treatments. We experienced the Signature Hammam which involved an invigorating exfoliation using black olive savon noir scrub and an enriching rose & geranium clay. You can follow up with a massage treatment, or enjoy the facilities which include two steam rooms and one of London’s only cold water plunge pools. Where to eat and drink nearby If you can bring yourself to leave the Beaumont cocoon, the hustle and bustle of Mayfair and Oxford Street await. Tamarind Terrace offers all-weather Indian dining (don't miss the lamb chops with pistachio crust), or try Akira Back for playful riffs on Japanese cuisine. Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com The Boundary, Shoreditch – for a foodie weekend in Shoreditch Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com A trendy hotel, Boundary has 17 individually-designed bedrooms, a rooftop bar and an all-day bar and brasserie. Each bedroom is truly unique, taking inspiration from a particular designer or design movement. Take your pick from Mies van der Rohe, Charles & Ray Eames, Andrée Putman or Eileen Gray. Most share a restful, simple colour palette and a restrained but very carefully curated collection of furniture. The Sir David Tang Suite is an exception with its Chinese silk wallpaper and tassled green silk lampshades. Regardless of which room you stay in, a mid-afternoon delivery of freshly baked brownie is guaranteed. Dodge busy Shoreditch streets at the sky-high rooftop bar, where the view of London is uninterrupted and the cocktails are excellent. Try the Serendipity – a concoction of Monkey Shoulder whisky, Drambuie, mango purée, lime and chilli – and share plates of garlic tiger prawns and grilled lobster. Breakfast has a grown-up vibe but an on-trend menu, stretching to cold-pressed juices and ‘healthy’ cooked breakfasts. Baked goods are where it’s at, though, with a choice of cinnamon – or pistachio and white chocolate – swirls, croissants and Danish pastries. Where to eat and drink nearby BRAT, just a minutes’ walk away, is a Spanish-inspired spot that serves grilled sharing platters. Click here for more places to eat in Shoreditch. Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com Pan Pacific London, London – for an oasis of calm Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Pan Pacific might be moments away from the bustling streets of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, but inside it’s an oasis of calm. The hotel’s ethos is to bring a slice of the Singapore experience to London, and you’ll find that influence in everything from the Kopi Tiam afternoon tea to the vibrant hotel bar Ginger Lily, where the attentive staff will mix you up a signature Singaporean classic or a contemporary creation, depending on your own unique tastes. Breakfast is served in Straits Kitchen and you'll find an opulent buffet with a choice of Asian and English classics, from freshly made omelette to beautifully fragrant Won Ton noodle soups. All rooms feature king size beds, expansive marble bathrooms and luxury bathroom products, but the views across the city are what make this hotel standout, you can admire the glittering lights and striking contrast of old and new architecture from the comfort of your very own bed, it might be hard to leave. A night at Pan Pacific includes full use of the wellbeing floor. Start your morning with a luxurious swim in the balmy and impressively large infinity pool, floor to ceiling windows offer you far-reaching views over Bishopsgate Plaza as you practice your front crawl. There are plenty of sun loungers to recline on in the light-flooded relaxation area and a mindfulness studio where you’ll find yoga classes, meditation, pilates and gong therapy. The bougie experience continues in the changing rooms with Diptyque products and a smart sauna and steam room for the ultimate heat experience. There are a range of treatments on offer from a rhythmical bamboo massage to a lymphatic drainage massage. Where to eat and drink nearby Walk to Spitalfields Market for your choice of street food, or book a table at Kolamba East for modern Sri Lankan sharing dishes – the prawn string hopper biryani is worth a visit alone. Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Kettner’s Townhouse, Soho – for the Champagne lifestyle Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com Playing on its 1920s heyday, this Georgian building (brought up-to-date by the Soho House Group) is home to an all-day French brasserie, Champagne bar and 33 glamorous hotel rooms. Rooms vary dramatically in size. Compact Tiny rooms are fitted with Tudor-style beds and slick en-suites, while Cosy rooms are a bit larger with pretty green velvet scalloped headboards. If you want to wallow in a freestanding bath tub and super king-size bed, book one of the Medium or Big rooms (they have double sinks and walk-in rainforest showers, too). All rooms, no matter what size, cater to every whim, making for a luxurious stay. An almost overwhelming array of Cowshed bath and shower products await in the rainforest showers (cleansing toner and lip balm, as well as the usual staples). The all-day menu served in the brasserie sticks to classic French comfort food (steak tartare, roast chicken and Toulouse sausage). Try perfectly pink fillet of Lake District beef with fluffy chips and a creamy pepper sauce; or head to the Champagne bar for its take on a French 75, The Romilly, made from exotic Star of Bombay gin, mango cordial and sparkling Ruinart. The Kettner’s Fizz – refreshing clementine and grapefruit juice laced with Grand Marnier and Runiart rosé – is also a good shout. For breakfast, opt for a glass of fizz and a decadent lobster royale with hollandaise and Exmoor caviar in the Champagne bar, or keep it classic in the brasserie: blueberry muffins, or citrusy pink grapefruit served with thick sheep’s milk yogurt and a sprinkling of bee pollen and micro mint. Soho House has zingy breakfast drinks sorted, with its own pre-bottled house press juices. Where to eat and drink nearby Head to Yasmin on Warwick Street for rooftop dining with Middle Eastern flavour. Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Read more about where to eat in Soho here. Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Hoxton, High Holborn – for a hip hangout Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton is a cool, open-house hotel with 174 bedrooms, designed by local illustrators. Choose between four sizes, starting with Shoebox (the clue’s in the name), then Snug, Cosy and, the largest of the four, Roomy. Compact shoebox rooms still have queen-size beds and walk-in showers, while roomy ones are home to king-size beds and squidgy leather armchairs. With the exception of Shoebox, all are dog-friendly. If you fancy wine or beer in your room, head to the front desk where you can buy bottles at supermarket prices. A light breakfast bag can be delivered to your door, but for something more substantial head to Rondo for ’nduja scrambled eggs, or a Full English, served with Tamworth sausage & bacon, Fenton eggs, black pudding & beans. There are cold-pressed green juices to wake you up, or a selection of 100% vegan coffees, including matcha and raw cacao lattes. Where to eat and drink nearby A pie at the Holborn Dining Room is a must, whether it be filled with chicken, girolle and tarragon, or mutton curry. Try the contemporary afternoon tea at Rosewood’s Mirror Room, too. Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com Ham Yard Hotel, Soho – for a hidden design gem From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com An urban village, Ham Yard Hotel is home to 91 individually designed bedrooms and suites, 24 apartments, 13 independent stores and a restaurant. Kit Kemp designed the quintessentially British interiors, so that means colourful, patterned textiles and original artwork. Superior rooms have queen-size beds and a separate sitting area with writing desk, while the two-bedroom terrace suite on the hotel’s top floor has a kitchen. All bedrooms have views of the leafy terrace or city skyline. With its super central Soho location, there’s no shortage of restaurant, bars and cafés to explore in the area. But the hotel itself has its own restaurant and serves a selection of afternoon teas, including a ‘healthy’ reduced sugar option. A roof garden is home to raised herb and vegetable beds, so expect to see purple sage and orange marigold featuring on the menu. Two bee hives also live on the roof, the honey from which is used in cocktails. At breakfast, Antipodean-style eats and smoothies feature alongside lighter bites, including coconut chia seed pots with mango. Porridge is prepared with your choice of milk, water or cream, and is topped with berries, banana, mango, sugar, seeds or maple syrup. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop across the road to KILN for regional Thai dishes. Try aged lamb skewers, delicately fragrant with cumin and Szechuan pepper; or clay-pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crabmeat. Here are more places to eat and drink in Soho. From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper, Spitalfields – for campfires on the roof Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper is an east London pub with five bedrooms, a restaurant and rooftop garden. The ground floor pub takes classics up a notch: deep-fried black pudding balls, crispy ox tongue with tarragon mayo, and chicken liver on toast. The wine list is completely natural, local beers feature strongly, and all the cocktails are based on herbs that grow on the roof. The rooftop has a changing residency each summer, but in the past Piculpeper has set up camp with fire pits serving grilled broccoli, ash-roast potatoes and slow-roast camembert. On the first floor, a restaurant offers three starters, three mains and three desserts that change weekly. It also makes use of what’s grown in and around The Culpeper, including nettles, sprouting kale, baby gem lettuce and swiss chard on its menu. On the second floor, five bedrooms are in keeping with the rest of the pub, so expect plastered walls, bare brickwork, original fireplaces and simple-yet-colourful textiles. Where to eat and drink nearby Som Saa is less than a minute away, so head there for sticky Burmese-style curry, whole deep-fried sea bass and palm sugar ice cream. Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Orange, Belgravia – for a cosy pub with rooms Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk If you want to stay in the beating heart of London, you won’t get much more central than buzzy Belgravia, and this refurbished pub is a chic base. The 19th century local is part of the Cubitts House group, who have given this glorious period building a whole new charm. The uber-stylish interiors have flashes of orange throughout, and the contemporary Italian-inspired menu is curated by Ben Tish. The Orange has just four rooms, giving it an extra-personal feel. They are decked in natural materials and finished with botanical flourishes. Downstairs in the bar, guests can soak up the buzz and order dinner off The Orange’s seasonal, à la carte menu. You’ll find a list of delicious-sounding pizzas with inventive toppings, like red prawns, rose harissa & crispy garlic. There’s a strong list of hearty, seasonal salads, which included braised kale and fried aubergine. Starters included panisse with bottarga. There are large plates too, including rib-eye with roasted onions & comte and roast chicken with grapes and rosemary. Guests enjoy breakfast as part of their stay, and while we loved the house granola with new season rhubarb, where The Orange really plays an ace is with their breakfast wood-fired flatbreads. Choose from toppings like fennel sausage & roasted tomatoes, stracciatella, mushroom & truffle cheese sauce. We already rated The Orange, but we have extra respect for anywhere that serves pizza before 10am. Where to eat and drink nearby For more dinner options, try Wildflowers. A stylish restaurant and wine bar, Mediterranean-inspired dishes are cooked over coal in an open kitchen, cocktails are imaginative twists on classics (try a melon negroni or almost-dirty martini) and its understated design encourages you to relax and linger over your food. Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk Vintry and Mercer, City of London – for luxury in the City From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com One of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Vintry and Mercer is a 92-bedroom luxury hotel with a roof terrace restaurant, speakeasy-style bar and an all-day kitchen serving Asian plates. Rooms comes with elaborate velvet headboards and dramatically tiled bathrooms. The 'standard' room is anything but, with a queen-size bed, walk-in shower and heated floor, while the deluxe comes with a king-size bed, turndown service and wet room. Every bedroom nods to its city location, be it through needle-and-thread wallpaper that references the mercers who used to import fine silks just a stone’s throw from where the hotel now stands, or antique-style maps that depict old trade routes. Foodies stay here both for the delightful roof terrace restaurant, which focuses on farm-to-plate food cooked over charcoal; and DND (Do Not Disturb), a fun bar that pairs barrel-aged cocktails with sliders. There’s also Vintry Izakaya, which serves tapas-style dishes including tempura shiitake and tomato miso steamed buns. Along with the usual spirits, there’s also a selection of sakes and Asian-influences cocktails. Try the Takhiriti, made with Don Q rum, lemongrass syrup, kaffir lime and Thai basil. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander up to Brigadiers for an Indian feast of BBQ butter chicken wings, sikandari kid goat shoulder and on-tap cocktails. Read our full review here. From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com Green Rooms, Wood Green – for great-value rooms From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com A no-frills affordable hotel, Green Rooms has stylishly simple bedrooms. There are 22 bedrooms (everything from three-quarter to king-size beds, some with shared bathrooms, others en-suite), two en-suite studio apartments and two dormitories (one sleeps 12, one sleeps 16 people) make for an eclectic mix of accommodation. It’s a back-to-basics vibe, but with added style. Mattresses are good quality, furnishings are sparse but pretty (a few rooms have chairs and textiles by fashion brand Folk, but most have simple white bed linen and vintage wooden furniture), and frills extend only to a few coat hangers, a travel kettle, a small range of London Tea Company teas and Climpson and Sons coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby In Turkish-influenced Wood Green, you don’t have to go more than 30 paces to find grilled halloumi and spinach omelettes. Try Antepliler for pides, spiced lentil koftes and pistachio kanafeh. From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com Kaya Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross – for swanky fine dining From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com A luxury, boutique hotel just 25 metres from King’s Cross station, comfort and class is the focus at Kaya Great Northern Hotel, with each bedroom sporting sash windows and high ceilings. Couchette is the cosiest, with queen-size beds tucked into leather-clad banquettes, while the Edwardian bedrooms on the top floor have walnut wood panelling and vintage-style bathrooms. Victorian is the largest, with views of King’s Cross and a roll top bath. On the first floor, RAILS Restaurant and Little Bar offers a smart take on British and French classics. Where to eat and drink nearby There’s no shortage of options in Coal Drops Yard, including wine bars and funky sandwich joints. Try smoky rotisserie chicken and mezcal negronis at alfresco Mexican restaurant, Plaza Pastor. See our picks of the best restaurants in Kings Cross here. From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com The London Edition, West End – for striking interiors From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com A slick hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia with 173 bedrooms and a sophisticated restaurant, Berners Tavern. The in-house restaurant is under the direction of Michelin-starred chef, Jason Atherton. A striking dining room (ornate ceilings, plush leather booths and antique artwork in lavish gold frames) sets a grand tone, while the trendy-yet-accessible food is the kind you could eat every day: pork pie and aged beef tartare, BBQ pork chops, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Try a roast at the weekend, including beef wellington and Dingley Dell pork belly. There are two bars to choose from: The Lobby comes kitted out with a snooker table and tufted sofas, while The Punch Room is an intimate space inspired by 19th-century private clubs. The signature gin-infused EDITION house punch is a must. Stylish and simple rooms are inspired by luxury yachts with oak floors, walnut wooden panels and tufted armchairs. There are four bedroom sizes (guest, superior, deluxe and loft) as well as two suites, the loft and the penthouse. All bedrooms come with the same features (king-size beds, rainforest showers, iPod docking stations and custom made Le Labo bathroom products). Suites come with a large living area, while the penthouse has a dining area, pantry, walk-in wardrobe and three outdoor terraces with city views. At breakfast, hearty classics are the order of the day, be it a slow-cooked smoked ham hock croque monsieur with aged cheddar, or oak smoked Scottish salmon with scrambled eggs. If you’re after something lighter, dairy-free mango smoothies and ginger, turmeric and orange shots are also on offer. Where to eat and drink nearby Book a table at Rovi, Ottolenghi’s restaurant with vegetables, fermentation and fire at its heart. Read all the best restaurants in Fitzrovia here. From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum, Mayfair – for a luxurious Mayfair stay From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum is a luxury yet family-friendly Mayfair hotel with bedrooms, suites, apartments and townhouses. Spacious bedrooms include Hypnos mattresses, London-inspired artwork and your choice of pillow. Marble bathrooms come with heated towel rails and non-steam mirrors. Serviced apartments are ideal for those with children, with separate front doors leading onto a double bedroom (with extra bunk or sofa beds for little ones), living area and fully fitted kitchenette. If you want to stay in the main hotel, interconnecting bedrooms are also available. Choose between a continental buffet for breakfast (yogurt, fruit, charcuterie, cheese and baked goods) or opt for a full English, omelettes or smoked salmon. There’s a separate menu for children, including waffles with fruit compote or boiled eggs with toast soldiers. Where to eat and drink nearby Mayfair has plenty of excellent dining choices to offer: from contemporary steak and sushi at Nijū to pub classics at The Guinea Grill or elegant Italian at Angela Hartnett's Murano. For more dining in the area, check out our favourite places to eat in Mayfair here. From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Bull and The Hide, Bishopsgate – for cosy pub vibes From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com A pub with 10 boutique bedrooms in the heart of the city. Rooms are neat and simply decorated. Each is named after the pub’s colourful past, from the Oxford (the 17th Earl of Oxford lived on the site in the 16th century) to the Devonshire suite, which echoes the name of a grand house that stood on the site in 1625. If you want a room with a view, book the Hush Heath suite for its own private balcony. All come equipped with Miller Harris toiletries, goose down pillows and a 24-hour pantry, where you can help yourself to tea, coffee, cookies and sweets. The Bull pub downstairs (part of the Hush Heath Estate) serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, bar snacks and dinner. Classics include scotch eggs with curried mayo, half-pint shrimps and whitebait with tartare sauce. Flatbreads are also a focus, so try the pulled pork, BBQ sauce and jalapeño one. The sparkling wines come from the Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and the crisp sparkling apple is recommended. The Bull breakfast is a simple affair. Choose a full English, American pancakes with bacon, avocado on toast or granola. Where to eat and drink nearby If you're not eating in the pub, head to Duck & Waffle for views over the city or Spitalfields Market for plenty of street food options, from freshly pulled noodles to the gooiest cheese toasties. From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com Claridge’s, Mayfair – for classic elegance From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The iconic Claridge's is a glamorous art deco Mayfair hotel with restaurants, bars and a reading room. Bedrooms and suites are either traditional or art deco, but both come with Bose speakers, fresh flowers and mini bars stocked with British produce. En-suite marble bathrooms include Cowshed products (made exclusively for Claridge’s), and the Claridge’s King room comes with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and views of the peaceful inner court. The Mayfair Suite has a separate sitting room with original fireplace, and the Brook Penthouse, a two-bedroom apartment with living room, dining area, private bar and a terrace with views of the Houses of Parliament, is luxury at its finest. For foodies, the Foyer and Reading Room serve an all-day dining menu, from roast rack of Kent lamb to its signature lobster wellington. Afternoon tea has been a ritual here for almost 150 years, and this luxurious redoubt for the rich and royal (no flip-flops, no intrusive photography) has turned it into an art form. Eat English cucumber and dill cream sandwiches, fluffy raisin scones with Cornish clotted cream, and caramelised hazelnut Paris-Brest. Breakfast is a lavish affair. There’s English, European, Japanese, vegan and Middle Eastern options, to name a few. Try pork gyoza, prawn dim sum, chicken congee, Chinese pickles and century duck egg for a Chinese feast, or keep it healthy with chia seed pudding and carrot juice. The Claridge’s bakery makes daily Danish pastries, croissants, muffins and brioche, and pancakes are served with berries and Valrhona chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander down Regent Street for a Spanish feast at Sabor. Eat crisp, golden prawn croquettes and mussels ‘a la Bilbaina’. Read more about Sabor here From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz, Piccadilly – for old-school luxury Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz offers old-school luxury in the heart of Piccadilly, with a restaurant to match. Opulent yet traditional, there’s a twee feel to the bedrooms with plenty of floral patterns and pastel furnishings. Living areas come with antique furniture, and en-suite bathrooms are adorned with marble. Deluxe suites come with up to five bedrooms and spacious sitting rooms, but, if it’s views you’re after, book the Green Park Suite, which looks out over its namesake. Afternoon tea is the main draw, taken in the elegant Palm Court. Indulge in Scottish smoked salmon on springy sourdough bread, warm scones and delicate blackcurrant macarons. Choose from an 18-strong tea menu that has been curated and exclusively blended by The Ritz’s tea sommelier, Giandomenico Scanu. The Michelin-starred restaurant cooks seasonal British produce. Try Dover sole with new season leeks, cauliflower and caviar, or native lobster with heritage carrot and lemon verbena. Don’t leave without trying the crêpes suzette, prepared, cooked and served at your table with real flair. For breakfast, whether you fancy sirloin steak with fried eggs or an omelette with caviar, The Ritz has you covered. A continental breakfast keeps things light with fruit, homemade yogurt, cheese, ham and cereal, while three punchy juices are sure to wake you up. Our favourite is the Ruby Ritz: carrot, beetroot, fennel, ginger and lime. Where to eat and drink nearby World-famous for its seafood and shellfish, Bentley’s is the place to go for oysters. Click here for more places to eat in Mayfair. Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard, London Bridge – for striking views Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard is a central London hotel with 202 bedrooms, striking views and an infinity sky pool. The hotel includes a restaurant, afternoon tea lounge and two bars. On level 35, TING serves a modern British menu with Asian influences, making the most of produce from neighbouring Borough Market. The five-course tasting menu offers the likes of duck liver ballotine with forced rhubarb and green tea, and Eton mess with cardamom. Climb 12 levels higher for GONG bar (the highest hotel bar in Europe) and its quirky cocktails. The cognac and sherry-based Over the Rainbow comes in a decorative hot air balloon, while the Scan Me whisky sour is delivered in a sleek black glass. Every bedroom and suite comes with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame London’s skyline; the iconic City View room, for example, looks out over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A pillow menu is available, along with binoculars (to get a closer look at the landmarks), feather duvets, L'Occitane bath products and a Chinese tea set. The suites offer a separate living and working space, with views spanning across Surrey and Sussex, and the Shangri-La suite is the grandest of them all – dressing room, kitchenette, cocktail-making services, an iPad and local area guide included. At breakfast, choose between an English, Middle Eastern or Asian breakfast, the latter of which comes with congee, dim sum and wok fried noodles. Or try something from the wellness menu: bircher muesli and green smoothies packed with kiwi, spinach, ginger, mint and apple juice. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop to the market for plates of pici cacio e pepe and beef shin ragu at Padella. Click here for our London Bridge restaurant guide. Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Sea Containers London, Southbank – for a room above the best bar in the world Check rates and availability at booking.com Sea Containers is a modern hotel on the river with bedrooms designed by Tom Dixon and a cocktail bar from master mixologist, Mr Lyan. Choose between bedrooms, suites and apartments. Tones of grey and pops of pink are the signature colours, with chrome furnishings lending a sleek feel. Queen-size beds come as standard in the boutique rooms, and marble bathrooms are stocked with natural Malin + Goetz products. Wall-to-wall windows in the Riverview Deluxe room offer views of the city, while the Riverview Suite includes a separate living area and extra bathroom. The world’s number one bar, Dandelyan used to have its home at Sea Containers, but Mr Lyan closed that down and re-opened it as Lyaness. The sweeping green marble bar occupies the ground floor of the hotel, with soft-grey sofas and electric-blue banquettes. Try the tiki-inspired Double Painkiller, with bright tropical notes and a subtle smokiness. An all-day restaurant serves plates designed to share, from whole seabass with lemon to shaved mushrooms with manchego and brown butter. If you’re there over the weekend, try the eggy sammy from the brunch menu for breakfast – a brioche bun stacked with fried egg, crispy bacon, jack cheese and avocado – or go for a spicy chorizo flatbread with olives and wild rocket. In the week, expect a full English, fruit and yogurt, or avocado on toast. Where to eat and drink nearby Skylon is an 11-minute walk away on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall. It’s all about seasonal modern British food and great views of the Thames. Check rates and availability at booking.com The Standard, King's Cross Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com There’s nothing standard about The Standard. Minutes from St Pancras International, London’s rail-based gateway to Europe, the cool kids behind America’s Standard Hotel group opened their first UK outpost, converting a 1970s concrete block into a hip eating and drinking destination, with more than 200 groovy retro-kitsch bedrooms on site. It may be the priciest room (with the exception of the suites), but book a King’s Terrace room and you’ll be rewarded with a large terrace complete with an outdoor bath that overlooks the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and its terracotta-coloured clock tower. There are no ‘standard’ rooms at The Standard – the most basic options still boast bathrobes, bespoke Davines toiletries and Bang & Olufsen speakers. The building’s geometric shape adds character to outer-ring rooms (internal Cosy Cores don’t have windows, but they do have shower rooms strung with ferns), with squishy sofas in retro colours tucked beneath aquarium-like curved windows. Wallace Sewell, TFL’s fabric designers, have created the bedspreads and carpets, with the nostalgic red, purple and blue palette reminding guests how in-the-thick-of-it they are. Retro-chic design continues in the bathrooms, where pale pink and black tiles cover monsoon shower walls, and mint green taps add a pop of colour. Foodies are well catered for with a selection of options. On the ground floor, Isla’s vibrant space, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a plant-filled terrace, is home to light British plates with a generous plant-based section. There's also Sweeties cocktail bar, Decimo for Mexican-Spanish cuisine with dramatic skyline views, or the Double Standard Bar serving American-inspired brunch or burgers and hot dogs in the evening. Make the most of humongous beds and order breakfast delivered to your room. Avocado on toast pepped-up with chimichurri, perhaps, or a batch of brown butter madeleines with Square Mile coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby The Standard is a one-minute walk (if that) from St Pancras International, so it’s well-placed if you want to kick off a trip to Amsterdam, Paris or the south of France in style. Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
Find out where to go for the best windswept winter walks along the coast - plus where to eat and drink to warm afterwards
Who says Britain's beaches are just for summer? On a crisp, sunny winter day, there's nothing better than wrapping up warm for a brisk walk along the coast, taking in the wide views and enjoying the quiet after summer crowds have long gone. From fish shacks on the sand in Tynemouth to dramatic sweeps of coastline in Northumberland, these are some of the best beaches around the UK to visit in winter. Plus, we've included the best restaurants, cafes or pubs you need to visit after your walk as a reward to warm up. For more winter travel inspiration, check out our 8 magical winter travel experiences for food lovers, best winter city breaks and the UK's best festive day trips. 9 best UK beaches to visit in winter King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth It might not be the prettiest beach, but this small sandy bay enclosed by cliffs has a secret that makes it well worth the steep stairs down. It’s home to Riley’s Fish Shack, one of the best beachside restaurants around. And with the summer crowds long gone, only the hardcore fans make the chilly pilgrimage, rewarded with wood-grilled seafood straight off the fire. Aldeburgh, Suffolk Aldeburgh’s long, stony sweep may not be the place for barefoot paddling, but in winter it turns wonderfully still – a pretty, pastel-lined seafront where the North Sea feels close enough to touch. Base yourself at The Suffolk, where owner George Pell has beautifully restored the townhouse hotel with quietly elegant rooms and food worth travelling for. With summer gone, the queues for fish and chips at Golden Galleon or Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop finally ease, but you’ll still be jostling with locals at bakery Two Magpies for bread with proper heft and pastries that vanish fast. Pubs are aplenty, but the White Hart Inn is the one locals point you towards. It’s what I call a ‘proper boozer’ where locals spill out onto the pavement in their sandy Birkenstocks in summer but come winter, they wrap up indoors alongside the super cute pub cat. Embleton Bay, Northumberland My husband’s favourite beach in the world, Embleton Bay is dramatic, wide and so windswept in winter it can almost knock you sideways, but that’s exactly what makes you feel so alive. The sweep of sand seems to go on forever, with Dunstanburgh Castle looming in the distance like a piece of perfectly placed scenery. After a bracing walk, warm up at The Ship Inn in Low Newton, a proper local favourite with its own microbrewery. Keep following the coast path to Craster for its famous kippers or grab a table at The Jolly Fisherman for crab overlooking the harbour. Stay in one of the many cosy seaside cottages in nearby Bamburgh, then book dinner at The Potted Lobster, a must for seafood lovers. Mawgan Porth, Cornwall Tucked between Newquay and Padstow, Mawgan Porth is a wide, wild crescent of sand that feels wonderfully elemental in winter. The Atlantic barrels straight in, the wind scours the dunes, and even a short walk leaves you riding that salt-stung, alive-again feeling. Warm up at The Scarlet, a grown-up, eco-minded escape perched high above the beach; its clifftop hot tubs and Ayurvedic-inspired spa make it one of Cornwall’s most soothing winter hideaways. If you want something more casual, wander to Catch or The Merrymoor Inn for seafood-led menus. And when you’re ready to explore, Padstow is just up the coast for bakeries, shops and harbourside pottering, or make the trip to Rock for a long lunch at Paul Ainsworth’s pub, The Mariners. Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Beautiful, rugged and blissfully quiet in winter, Three Cliffs Bay is one of the Gower’s most dramatic stretches of coastline. At low tide, the sands of Three Cliffs, Pobbles, Tor and Oxwich sweep together into one vast, walkable expanse; at high tide, they pull apart again into separate coves. It’s not a spot for winter dipping (the rip tides are notoriously strong) but for photography, hiking and that edge-of-the-world feeling, it’s unbeatable. If the tide and weather play ball, you can follow the coastal path around to Oxwich Bay, home to Beach House, where Hywel Griffith serves refined, deeply rooted Welsh cooking right on the shoreline. For a gentle base, stay in Mumbles for a slow, sea-breezy weekend: wander the pier, graze through indie shops and spend your evenings pub-hopping, BeerRiff and other local breweries make it an easy place to settle in after a day on the coast. Bantham Beach, Devon One of my favourite beaches in Devon, Bantham is all rolling dunes, a wide estuary and knockout views across to Burgh Island. Rugged, scenic and blissfully quiet, this corner of Devon really comes into its own once the crowds disappear. In winter it’s dramatic, wind-whipped and perfect for long walks that end at The Sloop Inn, or Outside, a relaxed spot created by Paddy Wellens and musician Ben Howard. Across the water, Bigbury-on-Sea offers another huge sweep of sand and the iconic crossing to Burgh Island, where an overnight stay feels wonderfully otherworldly. The Oyster Shack is a go-to in summer, but winter brings shorter hours (and a full January closure), so always check ahead. Botany Bay, Kent Framed by chalk stacks and sheer white cliffs, Botany Bay is one of the most photogenic beaches on the Thanet coast, and in winter, with the crowds gone, its quiet, otherworldly mood really lands. The tide pulls back to reveal wide stretches of sand and rockpools made for brisk walks and moody seascapes (though the strong currents mean it’s strictly a look-but-don’t-dip spot in colder months). Warm up in Broadstairs, where Kebbell’s leads the charge for smart, seafood-focused plates. For a longer weekend, I’m a big fan of Margate (basically East London by the sea) where you’re spoilt for choice with food and drink. Think Sargasso, Angela’s, Sète, Louie on Sea, High Dive and a whole run of indie cafés and bars to hole up in when the weather turns. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Margate for all our top picks. Aberlady Bay, East Lothian Sweeping dunes, wide-open sands and a constant salt-sharp wind make Aberlady Bay one of East Lothian’s most exhilarating winter beaches. The nature reserve feels wonderfully remote once the season turns, all big skies, birdlife and long, quiet walks out towards the old wrecks at low tide. Just along the coast, Gullane offers another beautiful sweep of sand backed by dunes and golf courses, with a gentler, villagey feel. Stay at Tom Aikens’ The Bonnie Badger in Gullane, a warm, design-led inn that does comfort brilliantly, and book dinner at La Potinière, an icon in the Scottish hospitality scene. North Berwick also makes an excellent base, with independent shops, wine bars and the always-busy Steampunk Coffee for post-walk caffeine. And with Edinburgh only 40 minutes away, this stretch of coastline is easy to reach making a perfect winter double act of wild walks and city exploring. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/12/GettyImages-1032848070-befd8f9.jpg" width="724" height="483" alt="Mini Subs: UK, Scotland, East Lothian, Aberlady: Wrecks of WW2 midget submarines, exposed at low tide on a sand bar and accessible to visit twice a day are two Royal Navy XT class midget submarines... Here is the known history of them: This is one of two of the six midget submarines class XT (T - Training) built by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd; They were manned by a crew of 4; The ship`s were 52ft long and 5ft in diameter; Their range was generally taken to be 500 nautical miles surfaced and 82 nautical miles submerged; At a speed of 6.5 and 5.5 Knots and powered by a Gardner diesel engine (as was used in a London bus!) on the surface and battery propulsion below the surface..." title="UK, Scotland, Aberlady, coast with submarine wreck at sunset" /> Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire With its red-roofed cottages tumbling down the cliffside and a long, sheltered sweep of sand, Runswick Bay is one of the prettiest winter beaches on the Yorkshire coast. It feels quiet and cocooning once the colder months arrive, and it sits perfectly between a run of gorgeous fishing villages, from storybook Robin Hood’s Bay to my personal favourite, Staithes, with its steep lanes, artists’ studios and proper old harbour. From Runswick, you can walk or drive up the coast to Sandsend, home to the boutique Saltmoore spa hotel and one of the county’s best low-key lunch stops, Mary’s Sandwich Shop. Or keep heading north into Whitby for fish-and-chips and obligatory arcades (my go-to is Magpie Café). More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Glasgow Best restaurants in the Lake District
This thriving city is now a must visit for foodies across the country, and the perfect choice for a long weekend away
Looking for Bristol restaurants? Check out the best places to eat in Bristol, including cafés, bars and restaurants. Here you'll find local beers and interesting wines, lively bars and buzzy cafés. Check out our local food and drink guide to Bristol... For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks and the UK's best artisan bakeries. Also read our city guides to the best restaurants in Bath, best restaurants in Cardiff, best restaurants in York and best restaurants in Oxford. Jump to: Best places to eat and drink in Bristol Best cafés in Bristol Best food and drink shops in Bristol Foodie neighbourhood in Bristol Where to stay in Bristol Best places to eat and drink in Bristol Marmo For modern European food and wine Marmo is one of Bristol’s most special dining experiences. It sits on bustling Baldwin Street – inside are high ceilings, an open kitchen and a buzzy, inviting atmosphere. It has an extremely pleasing menu taking influence from Italy, and an exceptional organic/biodynamic wine list. Marmo is headed by couple Cosmo and Lily Sterck. Cosmo is ex St John and Brawn, and Lily worked front of house at Luca in their London days. The menu reads really well to a point that it’s hard to know what to order for fear of missing out. Simple Italian ingredients are given the best treatment. There’s plates of lightly fried gnocco fritto and salame rosa, perfectly pickled, crunchy vegetables and bobby beans tossed with white peaches and a pine nut cream. A fresh pasta dish is always available and the famous steak tartar always graces the menu. The staff are well versed in both wine and food so you feel in good hands. If you order any dessert make sure you get at least one chocolate mousse for the table – it’s perfectly set with a blanket of lightly whipped cream strewn over it. It’ll be the ideal end to what’s likely to be a flawless meal. marmo.restaurant Farro, Bristol For pastries and sourdough Farro is certainly Bristol’s best bakery. In fact, it’s renowned as one of the best in the country. Because of this you may be faced with a queue on weekends but don't let this deter you. The queues move fast and the cabinets are well stocked. Sitting comfortably in central Bristol, it’s a slick, small establishment but with limited seating so be ready with an empty tote bag for pastries and sourdough, and a free hand for takeaway coffee. There are classic French pastries from golden pain au chocolat to a classic croissant. The perfectly sweet and heavily vanilla-scented canelé de Bordeaux is the best we’ve tried outside of France. There's savoury scones packed with cheese and rosemary, seasonal fruit galettes (like strawberry and elderflower in the summer) and if you go on the right day you’ll find trays of custardy pastel de nata. Don't leave without a loaf of sourdough, and the dense and nutty rye bread is also excellent. The menu is seasonal so changes regularly but whatever’s on offer is never far off pastry perfection. farro.co.uk Root For veg-led dining Long standing favourite Root (opened in 2017) is known for its modern, small plate, vegetable-led dishes. It sings of seasonality, with just a few meat and fish dishes of the highest quality gracing the menu. Unsurprising that this place had earned such accolades when it’s owned by renowned chef Josh Eggleton (The Pony Chew Valley). Start with a seasonal cocktail like a gooseberry and elderflower martini or an apricot whisky highball. Root has a real skill at making humble veg the star of the show with a menu that boasts mouth-watering dishes such as a hispi cabbage caesar salad, crispy Cornish potatoes with curried butter, pizzettas with caramelised onions and Cotswold brie, and smoked Cornish monkfish with tahini, yogurt and pickled red cabbage. What’s great about Root is its extensive use of British ingredients, championing some of the country’s best producers. This is a fantastic shout for vegetarians, or those who just prefer a vegetable-led meal. rootbristol.co.uk Noah's For seafood or fish and chips Noah’s is a fish and seafood restaurant situated under a bridge on Spike Island overlooking the Cumberland Basin. It’s not hard to tell where its name came from – the restaurant itself, with modern wooden cladding and a subtle nautical theme, hints to fishing boats. Its simple approach to seafood is supported by the freshest produce, boasting a menu of fish caught from the south coast to the clear lochs of Scotland. To start there’s soft crumpets piled with lemony crab mayonnaise, hand-dived fat Orkney scallops drenched in garlic butter, and piles of Fowey mussels in a perfect white wine sauce. For a main you can choose your fish grilled or fried, like Cornish sole with brown butter and capers, or battered hake. There’s a rather clever Lock Keeper’s menu that runs for lunch daily 12-3pm as well as 12-6:30pm Mondays and Thursdays – this includes mussels, a fishcake or prime battered cod fillet with a pile of chips, mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce and a mug of builder’s tea. It comes in at £14.50, an absolute steal for some of the freshest fish you’ll get in the west of England. noahsbristol.co.uk Wilson's and Wilson's Bread Shop For fine dining Headed up by husband and wife team, Jan and Mary, Wilson’s opened its doors back in 2017 on Chandos Road in Redland. This one-Michelin-star restaurant happily brings together fine dining with farm-to-table eating in a relaxed neighbourhood setting. The small whitewashed restaurant features bare wooden tables and black painted boards with the leafy streets of Redland on the doorstep. The menu, though fine dining, is simple. You’ll find ingredients treated with the upmost thought and consideration such as raw seabass with smoked crème fraîche, gooseberries and thai basil, or blackcurrants from their farm turned into a smooth, delicate sorbet with basil leaves and oil, also made from their own crops. For a six-course menu available at both lunch and dinner you’ll pay £78, and the wine flight is an extra £50, which is very good value for such a fantastic dining experience. Just a few doors down from the restaurant is the bread shop, which absolutely should not be missed. Here you can pick up some of the exceptional sourdough served in the restaurant, as well as loaves such as Icelandic rye. There’s Wookey Hole cheddar toasties with house-made seasonal pickles, thick wobbly custard tarts and seasonal fruit-filled choux buns (with the fruit sourced from the farm). At weekends it serves up a real treat: the most excellent bacon rolls using Hokkaido milk buns, Koji-cured bacon and homemade red or brown sauce – just the perfect bite. wilsonsbristol.co.uk Bokman For modern Korean cooking Bristol favourite Bokman is a small Korean restaurant run by husband and wife duo Kyu Jeong Jeon and Duncan Robertson. It’s a small establishment in Stokes Croft, known for its independent businesses and thriving pub and live music scene. Bokman dominates the area as the best eatery around, serving up authentic, relaxed Korean food. A blackboard of up to 10 dishes serves as the menu, with regular changing Korean favourites. We started with pork and beef stuffed chillies, deep-fried in a crisp shell of batter and served with a dipping sauce with just the right balance of sweet and acidic, with notes of clementine. Sip on Korean beer before ordering a high-piled crunchy chinese leaf salad, tossed with seaweed, pine nuts and a creamy dressing, or try banchan, a plate of pickled Korean vegetables. There’s delicious locally caught fish on the menu along with rich, spicy braised tofu and a spectacular whole chicken stuffed with raw rice that’s slow cooked until the meat is tender and the rice has soaked up the fat and turned soft and sticky. A soft serve ice cream is always on rotation with seasonal toppings and usually one other dessert – if you’re lucky you may be there on a week where the matcha and chestnut tiramisu makes an appearance. The food feels like you’ve been invited to someone’s home as a guest for dinner. The staff make you feel comfortable, almost like a local. And no doubt you’ll wish you were once you’ve eaten at Bokman. bokman.co.uk Gambas For simple Spanish food at its best Gambas has a cool setting and slick menu – it’s one of those restaurants that does what it does extremely well. You feel in good hands eating there, under chefs that know what they’re doing and staff who competently chat you through the specials. Consistently excellent, it’s located in Wapping Wharf, overlooking the harbour, so on a sunny afternoon you’re in for a treat. The high-quality ingredients here never feel short of excellent. You’ll find fresh, juicy prawns pil pil, drenched in garlic butter, a fat tortilla with a wobbly centre and a smear of garlic aïoli, and plates of hand-carved jamón ibérico and golden, freshly fried croquettes. It all comes out at a good pace, never rushed, with enough time to enjoy the views and the wine. There’s a good wine list too and a jug of seasonal sangria never disappoints, such as cherry in the summer or clementine and rhubarb in the cooler months. gambasbristol.co.uk Dongnae For sophisticated sharing dishes Dongnae is the newer, sister restaurant to the popular Bokman. It sits on Chandos Road in Redland and has a much smarter setting than its more relaxed sister. The way of eating is different here too. You’re encouraged to share dishes from a charcoal grill, such a whole Brixham john dory, grilled pork belly and wagyu feather blade. These are all served with a wooden tray of ssam and condiments – essentially crispy whole lettuce and bitter leaves which act as a wrap for the smoky meat, fish, vegetables, pickles and sauces. There are also small plates, like beef dumplings in a delicate broth and the crispiest fried chicken wings in salty, almost caramel-like, lip-smacking sauce. You can order extra banchan too, including the homemade kimchi, which is the best we’ve ever tried. This is a really special dining experience. Book a table for an early evening and eat some of the most delicious Korean food in a calm, sophisticated setting. dongnae.co.uk Sonny Stores For Italian-led modern dining Pegs Quinn’s unassuming eatery sits happily on a corner in the backstreets of Southville. Unassuming it may be but here you’ll find some of the best food being served in Bristol. Pegs spent five years at The River Café before packing his bags and heading back to his home in the West Country to work in several restaurants before opening Sonny Stores five years ago. The menu reads head to toe of things you’ll be desperate to eat. There are fat, salted anchovies swimming in olive oil, large hunks of bubbly focaccia and the most sublime, crispy vegetable fritti to start with crispy curls of fried sage. There’s always pizza on the menu, smaller, chubbier and blistered or larger and thinner to share, the dough is light and fluffy, and toppings carefully thought out – like a pizza bianco with a creamy sauce, salami and little sharp pickled chillies. You could just eat the pizza because it’s so good but then you’ll want to save room for more. There’s hand-rolled pasta circulating the menu and meat braised slowly, served with the softest polenta. There’s a fat wedge of fluffy tiramisu, a simple, well-executed end. This small but perfectly formed restaurant is not to be missed. sonnystores.com Gigi's Pizza For New York slices This relatively new pizza joint is one of the hottest tickets in town. Located in the Old Market area of Bristol, it sings more of the backstreet pizza joints of Brooklyn. The premise is simple: American ovenbaked pizza with a crisp bottom and fantastic toppings. You can order Gigi’s by the slice or in whole 12-inch or 18-inch pies. The best way to dine here is to bring some friends and share some big pizzas. The margarita has a rich, glossy tomato sauce and a generous layer of oozy cheese. There’s pepperoni with just enough hot honey to cut through the spicy meat, and a really special cacio e pepe number. Order some slices, a pot of buffalo ranch and a couple of cold beers. Once you start it’s hard to stop ordering slice after slice. gigispizzashop.com The Kensington Arms For a very good Sunday roast Tucked away in the picturesque, leafy streets of Redland is local favourite The Kenny. It’s a cosy corner pub that serves evening meals, lunches and Sunday roasts that are as good as they come. There’s a sense of neighbourhood in this boozer, locals sit at the bar drinking Somerset cider and sleepy dogs wind themselves around their owners’ legs under the table. But what really makes this pub stand out is the exceptional cooking that comes out of the kitchen. Head for a Sunday roast and enjoy ruby red ex-dairy beef with fat yorkshire puddings, creamed celeriac and crispy roasties, or perfectly crackled iron aged pork belly. Start with a blackboard special that might involve some freshly caught Brixham scallops, lightly whipped cod’s roe on toast or pan-fried gnocchi with goat’s curd. Finish up with a wedge of sticky toffee pudding and a big satisfied smile on your face. Be sure to book as seating is limited in this cosy establishment and the Sunday roasts in particular are popular. thekensingtonarms.co.uk Fed For brunch Breakfast and brunch is always a 10/10 at one of the four Fed cafés that are dotted across Bristol (find them in Cotham, Gloucester Road, Fishponds and Westbury). With knock-out coffee, a really strong breakfast menu and some of the most delicious cakes in Bristol, order something sweet like apple overnight oats with earl grey soaked prunes, or a savoury number such as poached Cacklebean eggs on thick sourdough toast with garlicky greens, or a hot brioche bun with crispy bacon, eggs and chilli chutney. The huge selection of cakes is hard to pass by, strategically located by the exit, so don't leave without a big wedge of banana bread or a slice of the famous towering fudgy chocolate cake. fedcafe.co.uk Bristol Lido For building up an appetite Bristol’s Clifton Lido and its historic setting is one of the highlights of the city. Take a dip, sauna and hot tub before setting yourself down for a fantastic lunch in the bar or restaurant. The poolside bar offers a small plate menu inspired by the Mediterranean. There’s taramasalata with pickles, sumac and fluffy flatbreads, watermelon and barrel-aged feta salad, chargrilled lamb pintxo with harissa and seasoned yogurt, and Cornish sardines with tahini, coriander and lime. The restaurant above has a more extensive menu with larger plates such as slow-cooked tomato cavatelli or pan-fried skate wing. There are some fantastic packages on offer: for £55 you can bag yourself a swim and lunch package where you can use the facilities then enjoy two courses in the restaurant, or on Sundays have a swim and three small plates in the bar for the same price. Booking ahead is highly recommended as this is one of the most popular spots in Bristol. lidobristol.com More restaurants in Bristol loved by the olive team 1 York Place Chef Freddy Bird of Little French fame has opened his second Bristol restaurant, this time a split-level dining room on the outskirts of Clifton. Freddy’s food is flavour-driven and strongly European with opening snacks like jamón and smoked eel croquetas, and the lightest potato beignet with anchovy mayonnaise and pecorino. Seasonality comes into play in a starter of asparagus and a brown butter hollandaise with homemade sourdough. There is plenty of seafood on the menu – wild prawns, scallops, surf clams, hake, skate and gurnard – plus sharing options including roast rump cap with crisp cubed dripping potatoes and horseradish. 1yorkplace.co.uk Bank It’s a pleasure to spend time in this airy, welcoming space in Totterdown where all the important things matter: decent cocktails, imaginative wines, cooking over fire with seasonal ingredients, small plates and feasting menus, excellent coffee. Founder Dan O’Regan and his co-owner chef Jack Briggs work with local suppliers and seasonal ingredients, some grown at the restaurant’s allotment, to offer hearty plates for two or three to share like Hereford Cross sirloin with beef shin rendang, bone marrow and charred pineapple. Smaller, regularly switched-up dishes such as smoked pork belly, picked watermelon and mission crab butter; Scottish girolles, burnt sweetcorn custard, crispy poached egg and jalapeno show sharply-honed kitchen skills and influences from across the world. bankbristol.com The Pony Brother and sister Josh and Holly Eggleton are well-known on the Bristol dining scene. Their smallholding, a short drive from the city, combines restaurant with cookery school and polytunnels, gardens and orchards. Take lunch, dinner, afternoon tea – or a sustainable wine course. The Pony’s set menu is a great-value intro: cold roast beef with garden pesto, chalkstream trout with Pony herbs and vanilla set cream. theponychewvalley.co.uk Cotto Across several much-loved Bristol restaurants, including their eponymous flagship, the Bianchi family is an energetic proponent of modern Italian food. Cotto is steeped in tradition: old family recipes, cooking research in Padova, sourcing trips to storied Tuscan butchers. But it is colourfully innovative, too – for example, in its artichoke fritti with mint and hot honey or its Loco carbonara. Originally a cult hit at a previous Bianchi restaurant, Pasta Loco, a recently revived carbonara – which takes several days to make – arrives as a plate of saucy spaghetti and fennel sausage, topped with a slab of slow-cooked, crispy pork belly and a pancetta-wrapped poached egg. cottowinebarandkitchen.co.uk littlefrench Freddy Bird’s family-run restaurant in Westbury Park serves up hearty, regional French dishes which deliver on every level. With a menu of snacks, starters, mains, sharers and sides, you get the feeling Freddy’s trying to feed you up. Let him. A ‘snack’ of chargrilled baby monkfish is the juiciest we’ve ever tried, served with sauce vierge, fresh basil and a decent thwack of woodsmoke. We down massive oysters with shallot vinegar for a saline hit, seriously good olives sweet with garlic and rosemary, and creamy fizz from the Loire. littlefrench.co.uk Bianchis A painted Bell’s Diner & Bar Rooms sign still exists above the door at this famed Montpelier restaurant site, taken on by Dominic Borel and Ben Harvey to turn into a traditional Italian trattoria. Interiors include bottle-green banquettes and wood panelling, crisp white tablecloths, and a modern geometric print in the bar – and there’s a mix of bookable tables and those reserved for walk-ins. There’s a suitably grown-up nod to the restaurant’s Italian roots right from the off, with a bitter aperitivo list (negronis, Aperol and Campari spritzes, vermouth and tonics), and plenty of Italian wines, but there are also a few curveballs to look out for – including an Essex pinot blanc, an Austrian orange wine and a trendy Greek red. When it comes to the food, the team goes further than the pasta-centric offerings at its other sites. The menu – divided into cured, raw, antipasti, primi (showcasing their pasta-making skills) and secondi sections – makes the most of local West Country producers: think braised quail with pancetta, coco blanc, turnip and girolle agrodolce; and roast hake with Dorset clams and baby fennel. The kitchen is headed up by Pegs Quinn, who boasts the River Café on his CV. bianchisrestaurant.co.uk Bertha’s Once an engineer for the McLaren Formula 1 team, Graham Faragher and his wife, Kate, started Bertha’s as a street-food business, serving pizzas from a converted canary-yellow Land Rover Defender before opening a bricks-and-mortar pizzeria in Bristol’s burgeoning harbourside food quarter. For Graham, it’s all about a long fermentation for the sourdough – at Bertha’s, it’s between three and five days – and seasonal South West ingredients for the toppings. berthas.co.uk Poco Café by day, tapas joint by night, ethically focused Poco is a long-time member of the thriving indie community of Bristol, with food and drink menus featuring seasonal, British and often organic produce. The varied but cohesive collection of small plates (which is chalked up on the back wall alongside the producers whose ingredients it stars) is illustrative of Ian’s imagination and skill. Sweetcorn fritters are far more exciting than the image they conjure, and come loaded with jalapeño and rich crumbs of chocolate to offset that sweetness. Each is sat on an aioli-topped kohlrabi slice, for wrapping it in, taco-style. Cornish hake, dusted with kelp powder, is cooked with real care; the soft flesh falls away in thick, moist flakes at the mere suggestion of a fork, and slips into the silky oyster mayonnaise it’s partnered with. pocotapasbar.com Bulrush This modern British restaurant in the Cotham area of the city quickly made an impression on locals thanks to the clever cooking, interesting techniques (they’re big fans of fermentation) and bold flavour pairings from 30-year-old chef George Livesey. Originally from the Peak District, George has worked at St. John, for Dan Cox (executive chef of Fera at Claridge’s), and White Rabbit in Dalston before deciding to head West. His menus champion the produce of the region, including all the foraged ingredients he can get his hands on (from fiddlehead ferns and pine, to juniper and sea kale). With personable and passionate service, a cracking cocktail menu that complements the food, and sterling cooking coming out of the tiny kitchen. bulrushrestaurant.co.uk Pasta Ripiena Pasta Ripiena is the sister restaurant to the popular Pasta Loco. To keep things seasonal, the restaurant gets two weekly deliveries from the Milan fruit and vegetable market. This produce ends up in a range of dishes, particularly stuffed pasta, which is made on site every day. Typical main courses include tortellini of salt marsh lamb, artichoke barigoule, pancetta and ricotta salata, and ravioli of beef shin ragu, crispy coppa, chard and pedro ximénez. Dominic says: “You’ll find Joe rolling five different styles of stuffed pasta between the end of lunch service and dinner – the PX sherry jus on the beef ragu is sticky, sweet, rich and just plain naughty!” pastaripiena.co.uk River Station Bag a table by the window (or on the terrace) in the glass-fronted River Station (The Grove) to catch the action in the harbour. Go all out in the smart upstairs restaurant with mains such as roast hake with parmesan crust and cannellini beans, the two-course set lunch in the relaxed downstairs café-bar is a bargain. riverstation.co.uk Koocha Mezze Bar Koocha Mezze Bar is a Persian, all-vegan cocktail and mezze bar with a contagiously sparky, easy-going spirit, in Bristol’s independent quarter. Run by long-time vegetarian turned vegan, Noda Marvani, Koocha’s bold, all-black exterior hints at the snug, stylish space within. There are also bright blue picnic tables on the patio outside for warmer days but Koocha’s brought the outdoors in, too; festoon lighting against a dark ceiling makes for an atmospheric, dining-under-the-stars feel. The menu is short and sweet, with one page for mezze, mains, sides and desserts then another for drinks — including plenty of vegan cocktails and signature G&Ts. Menu highlights include the koopa – earthy rice balls, deep-fried and loaded with cinnamon and turmeric – and spiced, slow-roasted cauliflower teamed with saffron yogurt and pomegranate seeds. Almost everything here is made from scratch (including the seitan used in the kebabs) and what Koocha don’t make themselves they look to the Bristol community to supply. Desserts are brought in from Elspeth’s Kitchen — a vegan, gluten-free bakery down the road from the restaurant — and bread’s sourced from Bristol-based Abunoor Pitta Factory. koochamezzebar.com Nutmeg Located in smart Clifton, Nutmeg serves up seriously delicious Indian cuisine. With its buzzy, welcoming atmosphere, this restaurant doesn’t mind if you’re dressed up or down, but the dishes are certainly special enough for a celebration. In its dishes, decor and demeanour, Nutmeg is wonderfully colourful. Street-art-style murals on the walls are pure Bristol, while wooden floors and red banquettes add polish. Owner Raja Munuswamy and head chef Arvind Pawar source ingredients from local indie suppliers, including Ruby and White butchers and Bristol Sweet Mart. While the tasting menu focuses on one region at a time (on our visit the northern region of Kashmir), cycling quarterly to keep things fresh, the à la carte features flavours inspired by all 29 of India’s states. After a tray of well-balanced homemade chutneys, the amuse bouche of golgappa puri – a traditional street snack of deep-fried tried filled with tamarind water, chilli, chaat masala and chickpea – proved to be one of the standouts of the night. We also found ourselves particularly enamoured with the main course’s yakhni gosht – rich, slow-cooked lamb that was moreishly tender, warm with ginger and cumin and cooled with a hung yoghurt sauce. Paired with a fruity pinot noir rosé, the pudding rounded the evening off beautifully; a deliciously syrupy jalebi acted as the perfect foil to a fragrant ball of homemade rose kulfi ice cream. nutmeg.co.uk Bravas For a pre-dinner bite, cross Whiteladies Road to small, buzzy Bravas which, with its exposed brick walls and hessian coffee sacks, could be a backstreet tapas bar in Spain. Make sure you try the lamb à la plancha with hazelnut and parsley salsa or the tortilla with homemade aïoli. bravas.co.uk Bocabar For a sit-down Sunday lunch with friends and family, Bocabar is a Bristol institution (though it’s just as good on other days of the week too). There’s a local, sustainable ethos running through the menu; fish and meat dishes often list the farm or fishmonger those scallops, roast pork or lamb come from. It's a great option for kids: the relaxed vibe means there are plenty of child-friendly sharing platters stocked with West Country cheeses and meats. Wood-fired pizzas and Sunday roasts are other classic menu items here (though it’s also the kind of place you could just drop into for coffee and order some toast for the kids). And the large space and laid-back vibe makes it a breezy, chilled out place to be with children, where you don’t feel you’re impinging on other diners. bristol.bocabar.co.uk Green Man Tucked away in tranquil Kingsdown, the cosy Green Man could almost be in a Somerset village. Savour a pre-dinner pint of Bristol Best, made with British malt and hops by Westcountry brewers Dawkins (who own the pub). If you’re not booked elsewhere for dinner, the home-cooked food is good too. facebook.com/thegreenmanbristol Best cafés and coffee shops in Bristol Ahh Toots Tables are much sought after at this cool and cosy bakery-café, where, behind that historic Tudor façade, owners, Tam Galliford and Amy Symonds, create ace celebration cakes and lush afternoon teas. Sandwiches and unusually interesting scones (sour cherry and toasted pumpkin seed, for example) are followed by a variety of modish bakes, such as thyme and sea salt chocolate cookies or lemon mascarpone choux buns. Tam and Amy like to use products from fellow Bristol indies, such as Circumstance Distillery’s whiskey in their white chocolate truffles. Their house coffee blend was created with Radical Roasters. ahhtoots.com Hart’s Bakery The queues snaking out the door tell you all you need to know about Hart’s Bakery. Set under the arches at Bristol Temple Meads railway station, swing by for epic sausage rolls and Saturday Bread. hartsbakery.co.uk Two Day Coffee Roasters As unpretentious as coffee shops get, Two Day Coffee Roasters sells an impressive selection of beans by weight, as well as cups of coffee to go (there are no seats). The Bristol coffee scene may have grown over the past few years, but these guys were right there at the start. twodaycoffee.co.uk Primrose Café Ease yourself into the day with brunch at one of Bristol’s longest-standing food institutions, the Primrose Café (Clifton Arcade, 1 Boyce’s Avenue). Go for the All-In-Two cooked breakfast, haddock fish cakes, or a slab of its legendary chocolate and salted caramel cake. primrosecafe.co.uk Papadeli Transport yourself to the Med at Papadeli, a deli-cum-café-cum cookery school whose ‘papa’ is affable ex-chef Simon MacDonnell. If you’re staying beyond the weekend, book onto a weekday evening cooking class. Otherwise, devour a chocolate brownie in the café or snap up a Sorelle Nurzia Italian Easter Colomba cake in the deli. papadeli.co.uk Spicer & Cole Amble into classy Clifton for tea at Spicer & Cole, the antidote to faceless coffee shop chains. Ingredients are locally sourced and the sandwiches and cakes are handmade on site. The carrot cake is addictive. spicerandcole.co.uk Mark's Bread You can spot the queues long before you reach Mark Newman’s artisan bakery on the popular North Street. Bag a loaf of his sourdough, still warm from the ovens behind the counter, or settle down with a paper and croque Monsieur in the café next door. marksbread.co.uk Best food and drink shops in Bristol The Bristol Cheesemonger Shopping in a shipping container is cool, right? Literally in the case of The Bristol Cheesemonger, since the space is also refrigerated; proprietor Rosie Morgan sells excellent More Wine bag-in-box wine and the most marvellous array of British cheeses, including an awesome trio of cheddars (when in the West Country…). bristol-cheese.co.uk Bristol Sweet Mart Head to Easton (east of Bristol city centre) to find Bristol Sweet Mart, a glorious South Asian emporium where you can buy anything from tiffin boxes to bunches of herbs, chutneys, fresh pickles, pulses and grains (make sure to nose through the gargantuan selection of spices). sweetmart.co.uk Wai Yee Hong Apart from having one of the funniest Twitter profiles out there, Wai Yee Hong is a behemoth of a Chinese supermarket, requiring a whole day to fully explore its shelves. Charge round with a shopping trolley stocking up on all things Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai. waiyeehong.com St Nicholas' Market Soak up the atmosphere at St Nicholas’ Market which offers everything from wheatgrass juice to handmade Pieminister pies (try the Heidi with Somerset goat’s cheese), and pulled pork sandwiches from Grillstock Smokeshack. At the gorgeous Source food hall & café, grab a Gloucester Old Spot sausage roll or stock up on local goodies. bristol.gov.uk/st-nicholas-markets Reg the Veg Take your pick from the veg-laden cart outside another Bristol stalwart, Reg the Veg greengrocers. Reg has moved on and it’s now run by John Hagon and son Tom. Vegetables come from nearby Failand or in the case of asparagus, the Wye Valley. There’s Bradley’s apple juice and Ooh! Chocolata bars made in Nailsea too. regtheveg.co.uk Foodie neighbourhood to explore: Wapping Wharf Situated on Bristol’s historic floating harbour, Wapping Wharf is one of the city’s coolest and best loved neighbourhoods. And for good reason. It boasts a collection of shipping containers housing some of the best independent restaurants, bakeries and bars in Bristol. Here you’ll find more casual dining, lunches to grab after a visit to Bristol's famous M Shed museum as well as harbourside evening dining. There’s well known Bristol institution Root, for vegetable, seasonal-led eating, and Gambas for authentic waterside tapas (not to be missed, the garlic butter sizzling pil pil prawns). For a quick bite grab a New York style bagel from Bagelry Box, served from an old horse box – this small menu doesn't skimp on quality with freshly baked hand-rolled bagels filled with 10-hour smoked pastrami and all the trimmings – an ideal lunch alongside a coffee from Mokoko sat by the water. For finer dining head to Lapin, a small French eatery with modern twists: try golden comté gougères, Brixham scallops with garlic butter, and roast aubergine ratatouille with pistou. The best way to satisfy your after-dinner sweet tooth might be a trip to Swoon Gelato for its rich, creamy Italian artisan gelato, the pistachio and Bacio (hazelnut and chocolate) being nothing short of perfect. If you fancy grabbing anything for the road, independent supermarket Better Food stocks an array of great local Somerset produce, from cheeses, milk from Bruton Dairy and seasonal organic veg to delicious breads from Batches Bakery and local chocolate Where to stay in Bristol The Bristol First time visitors entering by Prince Street will be surprised and delighted to discover that that across the lobby of The Bristol lies the harbour, making it a great base for exploring much of the city’s most vibrant food scene. The hotel’s classic afternoon tea in the River Grille provides the opportunity to see the iconic yellow ferries putter along over cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge and hyper-local Bird and Blend tea. Next door is contemporary Rick’s Bar, for sharing boards and brunch on the terrace and signature cocktails at the bar. Book a cosy Harbourside Room for views of the Bristol Eye ferris wheel. Rooms from £98, B&B from £125. Check availability at booking.com The Artist Residence Looking for a place to stay in Bristol? The unstoppable Artist Residence team has restored a Georgian townhouse, previously an old boot factory, right by Bristol’s eclectic city centre. Loft rooms have standalone bathtubs, whilst the luxurious Lookout room on the top floor is spread over two levels with a private terrace for views over the city. Doubles from £154, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com More UK travel guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in Broadstairs Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Words by Esther Clark, Laura Rowe, Claire Thomson (Bristol-based chef and the author of three cookbooks), Mark Taylor, Rosie Sharratt, Tory Parks, Kate Authers, Christine Hayes and Helen Salter Photography by Sam Gibson, Mike Lusmore, Getty, Kirstie Young
10 magical London streets and neighbourhoods for Christmas shopping
Shop, eat and feel merry on these festive London streets lined with unique boutiques and established brands – it'll make Christmas shopping a breeze
On the hunt for unique gifts for the food lover in your life? These London neighbourhoods are brimming with independent boutiques, artisan food stores and Christmas markets – perfect for shopping, exploring and soaking up some festive cheer. We've also included nearby foodie hot spots to refuel for an all-round shopping experience with seasonal sparkle. Discover our guides to the best UK city breaks and our favourite European hidden gem hotels. For more winter travel inspiration, see our guide to the best ski destinations or best winter sun destinations for something a little warmer. Festive London streets and neighbourhoods for Christmas shopping Columbia Road Market More than the heaving East End flower market that takes place every Sunday, Columbia Road's shops host a range of events during the year, including Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays. Being one of the few streets in the country composed of sixty independent shopfronts, it's a good opportunity to pick up unique gifts in a local environment while enjoying a big dose of Christmas cheer (expect mulled wine and mince pies). You can also shop later in the evening along the small stretch of stores, where small art galleries sit next to English delis and homeware and antique shops. There’s also a wealth of great pubs, cafés and restaurants. Pick up custom cakes at Lily Vanilli Bakery or head to cool boozer The Royal Oak for a post-market tipple. Brawn is an olive favourite, serving European small plates alongside a menu of natural and organic wines. Coal Drops Yard and King’s Cross Once industrial, but now one of London’s most stylish shopping destinations, King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard come alive at Christmas with a packed programme of markets. The Canopy Christmas Market is home to over 50 indie crafters, designers and artisan produce – perfect for ticking off your gift list and sampling street food and mulled cider. Other Christmas offerings include the Wine Car Boot, where each stall is an independent wine store; the N4 Makers’ Market; and B Corp-certified Lower Stable Street Market, to name a few. Outside the markets, browse unique brands such as designer Tom Dixon's flagship store and plant-filled Botanical Boys, then tuck into gooey hand-topped cookies from The After School Cookie Club. If you need a pause mid-shop, The Drop is an intimate wine bar housed within the Victorian stone arches – it has a stellar cheese and charcuterie menu – while Happy Face Pizza offers wood-fired slices with sloppy centres and puffy crusts. Peckham and Rye Lane Looking to shop small this Christmas? Peckham is the place. Starting as small boutique market, Pexmas is now an annual fixture on the London Christmas market scene. Taking place at Copeland Park, it's a great chance to stock up on handmade gifts while supporting some of the best micro brands in Peckham. If you miss it, visit the store on Market Row in Brixton Village. Elsewhere, dig through vinyl crates, unearth independent prints and meet local collectors at The Big Market Record & Art fair at Peckham Levels – perfect for those who like their Christmas shopping with a side of creativity. The area also promises some of south London's most exciting restaurants – Lai Rai is the spot for playful Vietnamese cooking, while Hausu's menu of modern sharing plates makes a cool date night spot. Redchurch Street and and Spitalfields Market Visit this buzzy east London district for its clutch of creative indie shops and designer-makers. Redchurch Street is dotted with cool and contemporary one-off shops, from fashion boutiques and vintage designers to home fragrance brands; Old Spitalfields Market is a bustling hub for thoughtful Christmas gifts, with unique stalls selling everything from London-made leather goods to vintage watches and hand-poured candles. Foodies should make a beeline for the market’s huddle of street-food traders, with options like Dumpling Shack and Le Bab. For a caffeine fix, head to Grind's pastel pink van, taste authentic chai from Chai Guys or tuck into fluffy Taiwanese pancakes at Wheelcake Island. Gloria, a flamboyant Italian trattoria on Great Eastern Street, is perfect for a fun group dinner, while Passione Vino offers a secret wine bar experience as well as bottles to gift wine lovers. Marylebone Village Marylebone’s elegant high street and surrounding lanes are a haven for good-quality shopping. Daunt Books is a book-lover’s paradise, while Le Creuset provides ultimate cookware inspiration. Pop into Rococo Chocolates for bespoke hampers and La Fromagerie for cheese, fine wines and extra virgin olive oil – speak to the affineur (cheese specialist), who will help with selections. The area’s boutiques – VV Rouleaux for ribbons, hats and accessories or KJ’s Laundry for covetable fashion – make present-hunting a joy. Refuel at The Ginger Pig with a hot sausage roll or linger over a coffee and cake at Fischer’s, a Viennese-style café. For a memorable dinner, Carlotta serves famiglia-style Sicilian classics with an American twist, complete with lavish gold décor and glitter ball-decorated toilets. Charlotte Street and Fitzrovia The surrounding streets of leafy Fitzrovia are heaped with quaint indie shops, making it a hot spot for those seeking a one-of-a-kind gift. Make a beeline for Rathbone, New Cavendish and Percy streets, where you can expect a blend of sleek interior shops, small boutiques and niche bookshops such as Treadwell’s Books – specialising in esoteric books and mystical gifts. Tottenham Court Road is a stone's throw away, should you need to hit the big flagships. Laid-back Charlotte Street is considered Fitzrovia’s foodie hub. Elsa offers Alsatian-inspired fare with a glow-up, while Roka's elegant Japanese robatayaki is a must. Nearby Kiss The Hippo makes top-notch coffee alongside a roster of brunch classics. End the day by grabbing a seat at Bar Kinky for inventive drinks in a sultry setting. Covent Garden No area does Christmas quite like Covent Garden, where twinkling lights, oversized baubles and a giant Christmas tree set the scene for some of the city’s best festive shopping. The cobbled piazza is home to a refined clutch of gifting specialists – lotions and potions from Aesop, floral-scented candles from Miller Harris and curated tea gift boxes from Whittard of Chelsea. Covent Garden’s Christmas market stalls add extra sparkle, with handmade or antique stocking fillers and seasonal treats galore. Hidden just off the main square, Neal’s Yard courtyard is a treasure trove for food lovers, with 26 Grains serving wholesome porridge bowls and seasonal plates, and The Barbary offering counterside Middle Eastern feasts. For a pick-me-up, head to Fabrique Bakery for cinnamon buns or La Gelatiera for Sicilian buns and hot chocolate. When you’re ready for something stronger, La Compagnie is a stylish wine bar tucked away in Neal’s Yard, ideal for a glass of something special and a few small plates. King's Road and Duke of York Square Chelsea’s King’s Road and Duke of York Square are royally dressed up for Christmas, with festive lights, markets and a cluster of chic stores selling their finest wares. Browse Nokwol for premium leather footwear and Monica Vinader for handcrafted, 100 per cent recycled gold and silver jewellery. Luxury British perfume house Penhaligon's boasts 180 years of olfactory experience. You'll also find the flagship stores of skincare favourite Dermalogica. If time allows, pay a visit to the Saatchi Gallery for a culture fix. You're also not short of delicious offerings on King's Road: tuck into contemporary Mediterranean at Kora or settle in for a cocktail-fuelled dinner at Ixchel, an award-winning Mexican restaurant and tequila bar. Carnaby Street Soho’s warren of streets is a goldmine for fun gifting, from designer homeware at Liberty to Korean beauty at PURESEOUL on Carnaby Street. The street's neon Christmas lights are legendary, and the area hosts festive pop-ups and late-night shopping events throughout the season. Refuel at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, where a sharing-style menu of Syrian dishes steal the show. Find it in Kingly Court, Carnaby's three-storey food hall, where you can also take in Indian eatery Darjeeling Express and vegan Tex-Mex spot Club Mexicana. For a classic Soho experience, Bar Italia is open late for espresso, while Dishoom’s Bombay comfort fare is always a crowd-pleaser. Broadway Market This weekend market is an established Hackney institution, groaning with independent traders selling everything from small-batch accessories to quirky prints and wheel-thrown ceramics. There's plenty of street food vendors, too, for a quick nibble or on-the-go lunch. The market street is flanked by food shops and delis that are open seven days a week – stop at La Bouche for cheese and charcuterie or pick up pastries from Pavilion Bakery. Sune, a groovy neighbourhood restaurant, is a top spot for eclectic small plates and natural wines. For something sweet, check out popular Benny's Broadway, the viral banana pudding spot. Nearby Netil Market is a smaller, charming alternative, hosting artisan stalls and street-food offerings.
The 10 best festive UK day trips for food lovers
Soak up the yuletide atmosphere at one of these foodie hot spots across the UK, from artisan markets to twinkling wine bars, indie boutiques and more
Soak up the festive spirit without staying the night with a day trip that promises stellar food, indie shopping galore and a twinkling, wintry atmosphere. Each of these locations make an inspired day trip destination for food lovers, with plenty of independent boutiques, stalls brimming with hand-crafted wares and foodie hot spots which come to life at Christmas. All are easily reached by train or car from across the UK. Discover more winter travel inspiration with our guide to the best ski destinations or the best winter sun destinations for something a little warmer. For more like this, check out our guides to the best UK city breaks and our favourite European hidden gem hotels. 10 festive UK day trips for food lovers Bruton This chill, boho Somerset town provides all the carols, craft stalls and late shopping needed for a chilled recharge before a busy Christmas period. Browse its stylish interiors and lifestyle stores, from Philo & Philo to Smouk and New Romantic, for one-of-a-kind gifts, then walk up the footpath, past allotments, to the Hauser & Wirth for the free art exhibition. Art aside, Bruton is also known for its clutch of renowned restaurants, such as Michelin-starred Osip, Italian Da Costa, artisan bakery, wood-fired pizzeria and all-day restaurant, At the Chapel, Matt’s Kitchen and nearby communal barn dining experience, Horrell & Horrel. Seasonally wrapped in a huge bow, boutique hotel Number One embraces the spirit of the season (and recently launched a new farm-to-table restaurant, Briar, with chef Sam Lomas). For a longer trip and the chance to walk off any gastro-indulgence, choose from Bruton's many brilliant walking routes on its doorstep. Nearby National Trust estate, Stourhead offers a Christmas light trail, returning from 29 November. York York transforms into a festive playground each winter, with the York Christmas Market (12 November-21 December) bringing wooden chalets to the medieval city centre. Expect food producers selling everything from spiced apple chutney to pecan and amaretto brownies alongside local crafts and artisan products, with over 80% of the businesses coming from Yorkshire, as a way to celebrate local producers. If you’re feeling the chill, cosy up by the fire inside Thor’s Tipi and wrap your hands around a mulled wine. Before the day is over, squeeze in a pit stop at Betty’s Tea Rooms in St. Helen’s Square for signature creamy hot chocolates, or sample street food at the Shambles Market food court (highlights include savoury galettes from the Krep Truck and arancini from Pizzoli). For a sit-down meal, Skosh is not far from the markets, serving inventive small plates and seasonal cocktails on one of York’s most historic streets. Cosgriff & Sons bakery is a must for seasonal pastries and sourdough focaccia sandwiches. End your day with a glass of wine or seasonal cocktail at boutique hotel Malmaison’s rooftop bar - its impressive views over the famous cathedral marks a fitting close to a day of exploring. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/11/GettyImages-1869686823-38fba6a.jpg" width="4592" height="3448" alt="York, UK - Nov 23 2021: Tourists and shoppers in the Shambles area of the City of York in northern England. On the side of an old timbered building, the road sign of the old street of Little Shambles." title="Tourists and shoppers in the Shambles area of the City of York" /> Frome This vibrant market town is renowned for its independent spirit and creative flair that comes into its own over the Christmas period. Winding cobbled streets flanked by stone buildings set the scene, and the town’s infectious energy is especially palpable when the festive lights are twinkling. The jewel in the town's events calendar, The Frome Independent (7 December) – a monthly market running from March to December – transforms the town centre into a treasure trove for unique, hand-crafted presents and local delicacies to take home for the Christmas table. Streets are closed off to make way for stalls brimming with one-of-a-kind wares, from contemporary craft and designer-made homewares to ethical clothing and artisan jewellery. Attractive street food options for refuelling include Tibetan Momos, stuffed souvlaki and grilled cheese (all made using West Country ingredients) – order as you soak up the twinkly atmosphere and live music on the ‘village green’. Food lovers can also fill their totes on funky local produce, from cheese and cider to vegan cakes and kimchi. The town's cluster of independent cafés and restaurants offer plenty of cosy corners to warm up in. On Cheap Street, Cafe Flora tempts passers-by with freshly-filled focaccia and real hot chocolates, while at the top of Catherine Street, Bistro Lotte serves classic French dishes such as charcuterie platters, coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon using locally sourced ingredients. Bath Bath’s cobbled streets and picturesque Georgian streets are a festive stunner, especially when the beloved Christmas Market (28 November-14 December), nestled amongst the city's most famous sights – the spa, Roman Baths and Bath Abbey – fills the city with more than 160 independent and sustainable retailers, offering everything from baked goods, warming drinks and artisan gifts. Start your day at Landrace Bakery with a fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon bun, then wander through the historic Circus crescent to Berdoulat, a grade-II listed food emporium selling artisan wares, shelves of small-batch wines and spices from the jar. Amble back down into town, via the sweeping grandeur of the Royal Crescent, to refuel with serious espressos at Colonna & Smalls, or while away an hour at contemporary tea house Comins. For a pre-dinner tipple, The Elder offers barrel-aged negronis in plush, cosy surrounds. If it’s dinner you’re after, tuck into a seasonal five-course menu at plant-based restaurant OAK, offering views of an unseen angle of Bath Abbey. The city's independent food and drink stores, boutiques and designer stores ensure shoppers are well catered for. Don’t miss Christmas shopping on and around Milsom Street, where you can find notable indies like cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield, chocolatier Neuhaus, and, for wine and spirits, Amathus. For a spin on the ice, head to the annual Bath on Ice (open from 14 November 2025 until 4 January 2026). Tewinbury Farm Slow down and embrace the joy and sparkle of the season at Tewinbury Farm, located just 30 minutes outside of London in the Hertfordshire countryside. This 700-acre countryside retreat transforms into a glittering wonderland with a woodland light trail (running from Thursday 27 November), making a wholesome family outing, festive catch up or winter date. You can expect fireside marshmallow toasting, a horse box bar serving warming mulled wine and a riverside Après Ski Bar with live music, seasonal cocktails and street food each evening. Christmas afternoon teas with carols, feasts from The Cowshed & Granary Kitchen and Christmas parties are also on offer (or make a weekend of it with a festive stay from £175). Edinburgh With its narrow, winding streets and medieval buildings, Edinburgh’s old-world feel means it's far too easy to absorb the magic of the season. Southside's Marchmont and Newington neighbourhoods are the city’s festive (and more relaxed) foodie hot spots, with historic streets dotted with independent shops and local boutiques for gift hunting. Start with a pastry at bakery-café Kate’s or head to Pomelo for hand-ripped noodles and vibrant Asian sharing plates. Nàdair offers Scandi-style dishes using foraged Scottish produce, or for a special dinner book a table at Michelin-starred Condita for a tasting menu rooted in Scottish ingredients. If you're in the mood for buzzy festive fun, don’t miss the Christmas markets in central Princes Street Gardens for shopping galore, ice skating as well as a Hogmanay torchlight procession as part of the city’s winter festival. Otherwise, perkily pretty Stockbridge takes care of all your produce needs, from delis and patisseries to cheesemongers, butchers and bakeries. Retro-chic wine bar Smith and Gertrude is also worth checking for good wine, cheese and company. Heckfield Place, Hampshire There's possibly no better way to embrace the warmth of the season than with a dose of festive creativity, and Heckfield Place is an exemplary place to do it. Inviting guests to treat the house as their home, heartfelt traditions include a wreath making workshop (4 December) in the Glass House with Heckfield Place’s resident florist, using foliage and flowers from the Home Farm and estate. Or craft whimsical decorations from foraged materials gathered across its 438-acre estate at the festive fairy decoration workshop (7 December), complete with tea, coffee and cake. For those who fancy a spirited afternoon of mixing, shaking and bottling cocktails, the festive cocktail gift making workshop (14 December) with the Heckfield bar team includes making your own spiced daiquiri, margarita and espresso martini (making quite the toast to festivities). Winchester Winchester’s cathedral grounds are transformed each year by its German-inspired Christmas market (22 November–22 December), lined with wooden chalets offering glühwein, street food and handmade crafts. Outside of the market, coffee aficionados can geek out at Coffee Lab Academy – pair one of their speciality coffees with a freshly baked sourdough toastie. For a post-market nibble, stop by family-run Cabinet Rooms for a cheeseboard and glass from its discerning wine list, or perhaps a seasonal cocktail, such as its Montreal negroni. Or book a table at The Wykeham Arms for a classic Sunday roast – a short walk from the house Jane Austen once lived in, this 18th century coaching inn boasts beautiful curved, Georgian bow doors, a cosy but bright bar and a separate dining room decorated with wonky framed photos, Persian rugs and gnarled oak chairs. Relaxing with a drink by one of their original fireplaces is a merry way to while away an hour or so. Norwich Norwich, with its endless historic layers, looks particularly picturesque in winter – check the Insta-perfect cobbled Elm Hill – while offering a fab mix of food and indie shopping. Norwich's Lanes is a particularly vibrant, walkable hotspot of streets and alleys with indie boutiques aplenty, including sustainable slow-fashion store Atwin, Elm homewares and Bowhill & Elliott, makers of luxurious house slippers since 1874. There's also the legendary Jarrolds independent department store for reliable gifts. Shopping aside, the area is abundant in good food and drink. Start your day with a pastry from Bread Source bakery. For lunch, tuck into fresh pasta at Yard or classic French bistro fare at L’hexagone. As evening falls, book a table at Brix and Bones for live-fire cooking and next-level steaks or enjoy a modern British menu at Benedicts. The city is also home to a host of Christmas fairs and markets — perfect for picking up last-minute foodie gifts. Brighton It may known as a free-spirited seaside destination, but Brighton, particularly the Lanes, exudes a festive buzz in winter with its huddle of indie shops dusted in fairy lights. Lost in the Lanes makes a solid starting point for a seasonal brunch before exploring the area's string of independent shops. Browse the boutiques before heading to Shelter Hall on the promenade for a pitstop lunch. Soak up the sea views, then take a postprandial stroll along the beach. Elsewhere, Unbarred brewery's terrace is a local favourite for craft beer and Neapolitan-style pizza from Fatto a Mano. In the evening, head back to the Lanes for Mediterranean-inspired small plates at Burnt Orange or settle in at Bincho Yakitori for authentic Japanese small plates. For an unparalleled skate around the ice, the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is a must.
Best restaurants in Margate: where locals eat and drink in the Kentish seaside town
Explore this cool coastal Kent town via elegant fish suppers, plump Whitstable rock oysters and scoops of rhubarb and custard gelato
Looking for Margate restaurants? Want to know the locals' favourite fish and chips in this Kentish seaside town? Check out our favourite places to eat and drink in Margate below, then peruse more seaside holidays for food lovers including the best restaurants in Deal and where to eat in Brighton. The best places to eat and drink in Margate Angela’s – for elegant seafood Two small dining rooms separated by a central kitchen, Angela’s is as no-frills as the menu, which prides itself on simplicity and minimal waste (even the tabletops have been fashioned out of recycled plastic bags). Plump Whitstable rock oysters, mussels with cider and garlic, whole roasted plaice and thornback ray with brown butter are just some of the reasons why Angela’s is still in rude health after more than half a century. angelasofmargate.com Forts Café – for vibey brunch This popular spot is always bustling with local creatives catching up over some of the best brunch dishes in town. The focaccia sandwiches are legendary on the Margate food scene, with fillings such as braised brisket with pickled chilli and herby aioli, jerk jackfruit with pineapple and corn slaw, and the epic bacon sarnie. Baristas work wonders with speciality coffee beans roasted by a rotation of the country’s best, from Manchester’s Ancoats to Somerset-based Round Hill Roastery. @fortscoffee Pomus – for Sunday feasting Unassumingly located in Margate’s revamped shopping precinct, Ryan Jacovides’s bistro and wine bar has all the warm, friendly feels of a neighbourhood favourite. Prime spot is perched on a mustard-hued stool at the burnt orange counter, so you can peruse the bottles on the shelves behind and watch head chef Aaron Costen and his team look after the impressive cooking. Pop in for a herbaceous rosemary-infused negroni, house-infused vermouth spritz or glass of floral Kentish sparkling wine, or bed in for the Sunday sharing feast. Things kick off with a selection of snacks such as mackerel rillettes, soy and ginger popcorn chicken with zippy mango and habanero sauce, gobstopper olives and squidgy focaccia (that just so happens to be gluten free, as is the whole menu). Next comes a huge sharing cut (on our visit Tomahawk pork in a rich, buttery beef stock sauce) accompanied by a generous spread of sides – bubbling ramekins of cheesy dauphinoise potatoes, pancetta-flecked sprouts and chilli-laced mangetout. Elegant puddings might be blackberry-topped dark chocolate ganache or tarte tatin with miso ice cream. A third of the cocktails are creative non-alcoholic options such as a refreshing coastal spritz, and there’s also an extensive list of wines chalked up on the blackboard alongside frames of quirky art to liven things up. pomus.co.uk Sargasso – for harbourside lunches The owner of east London’s neighbourhood restaurant, Brawn, also takes pride in this seaside restaurant at Margate’s iconic pier destination, Harbour Arm. Enjoy lobster spaghetti and Catalan salt cod salad with a quintessential view back over the harbour to the Old Town. Ingredients are sourced locally, many grown on musician and restaurant partner Matthew Herbert’s farm 10 miles from the town, with wines from Europe’s boutique vineyards. sargasso.bar Mannings Seafood – for seaside picnics This seafood shack perched on the harbour is a Margate legend. Must-trys include the simple, fresh crab sandwich, and little pots of cockles, whelks and prawns. Let owners Trev and Val make up a platter for you or take a plate of oysters and a bottle of champagne to the beach for the ultimate seaside picnic. @manningsseafoodmargate Oast – for artisan bakes Be it stone-ground heritage wheat flours from Kent’s Nonington Farms or skills honed at Scotland’s Twelve Triangles, baker Will Moss and co-founder Charlotte Keeys have drawn on the best from near and far to create their hit bakery-café. Sourdough breads are forefront but Will’s baguettes, made using a starter and fresh yeast, are prized among Margate’s French community. “Sourdough provides flavour, fresh yeast a light soft crumb,” says Will. There is a distinct Swedish influence in Oast’s knotted buns and sandwiches. The buns are often flavoured with buttery cinnamon or cardamom, then glazed with syrup and pearl sugar. But flavours can broaden to include, for example, chocolate, orange and cardamom, or seasonal fruits and custard. oastmargate.co.uk Peter's Fish Factory – for fish and chips Ask locals where you can get the best fish and chips in Margate, and they’ll point you in the direction of Peter’s Fish Factory, overlooking the seafront. There will be queues, but the salty, crisp and golden chips, waft of malt vinegar and perfectly cooked cod is more than worth the wait. Everything is served in boxes – so you won’t have to negotiate soggy, scorching chip paper on your lap, and you’ll get change from a fiver. facebook.com/petersfishfactorymargate Sète – for French wine bar feels Natalia Ribbe of Ladies of Restaurant fame has curated a cosy wine bar that offers a rare blend of fun vibes and serious wines. The eclectic, revolving wine list puts the spotlight on female winemakers, Eastern European vineyards and Kentish growers. Taking inspiration from French neighbourhood tabacs, sharing snacks include pâté en croute with pickled gherkins, potted smoked prawns and French onion tart, plus superb Oast baguette and butter. In the dining room at the back larger sharing plates such as crispy lamb with grilled radicchio, taramasalata with crushed new potatoes and elegant dover sole meunière are served from a small open kitchen, giving feels of being at a friend's for dinner. There's also a surprisingly large, sun-soaked courtyard at the back where Natalia and team host wine tastings, events and of course lunch walk-ins too. setemargate.com Bottega Caruso – for Italian classics Harry Ryder and his Italian wife Simona met when they worked in London restaurants, but it wasn’t until Harry visited Simona’s family in Campania that he realised the Italian food he had tasted in the UK wasn’t anything like the real thing. “I tried her family’s tomato sauce, the pasta, the cheeses, wines and oil – I’d never tasted anything like it. I joked that we should start bringing it back to the UK, and that’s what we’ve done with Bottega Caruso.” This small Italian kitchen and shop started out as a pop-up stall at The Goods Shed in Canterbury, selling fresh pasta and Simona’s family sauces. Popular dishes on the menu include verdura e fagioli – a slow-cooked stew of greens, organic beans and smoked chilli – and handmade cavatelli pasta with a meaty Neapolitan ragu comprising slow-cooked beef shin, top rib, pork belly, pork rump, fennel sausages, meatballs and Simona’s family tomato sauce. bottegacaruso.com Little Swift – for wines and cocktails Bottle shop, deli and wine bar, this seafront hangout has an eclectic offering. Work your way through personally recommended wines by the glass and pair with a charcuterie board livened up with cucumber pickles from Kentish forager Karly’s Kitchen. When the weather’s playing nice, take a frozen margarita or piña colada to the beach or join local pals catching up on the terrace. @littleswiftct9 The Greedy Cow – for casual lunches For a seriously good sourdough toastie make a beeline to The Greedy Cow. Available from noon onwards (only breakfasts are served in the mornings), we like the chorizo version, laced with fresh orange. Or go for a Gents Burger, made with black pudding, sausage, bacon, cheddar, chutney and beetroot and served with fennel coleslaw. Eat in the upstairs café or ask for your order to go. thegreedycow.co.uk The Two Halves – for craft beer With its prime spot on the seafront this craft beer bar is often busy and might take some time to make your way to the bar here but it’s a great place to try locals brews from breweries such as Canterbury Ales, Gadds and Shepherd Neame. @TheTwoHalvesAle The Old Kent Market – for iconic food market vibes The Old Kent Market is a newly opened food emporium just across the road from the Turner Contemporary (you can’t miss it – it’s painted bright red). Inside you're greeted by a full-size red bus that’s home to a cafe but don't jump on the first foodie offering you see. Venture further inside and you’ll find stalls selling freshly made sushi, pulled pork and takeaway pies plus local breads baked daily on site and locally grown fruit and veg. theoldkentmarket.com Local neighbourhood spotlight: Cliftonville A short walk out of the town centre, this independent, artistic area is bookmarked by Margate’s landmark lido sign and striking Botany Bay, famous for its rock pools and chalk rock formations. Join creatives for brunch at Forts, known for its focaccia bacon sarnies, or go for a proper fry up at The Dalby Café, before browsing the bars, shops and galleries along Cliff Terrace, including stylish fragrance store, Haeckels (which also sells a delicious seaweed tea made from locally foraged seaweed and sold in gorgeous glass jars). A few streets back from the seafront is Northdown Road, home to some of Margate’s friendliest independent food businesses. Mori Mori is a cosy spot for tucking into sushi boxes and ramen, The Grain Grocer has your organic groceries covered, and Oast bakes a fabulous rotation of sourdough and sweet buns. Head back to the seafront to work up an appetite by strolling along the coastal path to Botany Bay or embracing the sea water with some lengths in Walpole Tidal Pool. Back inland from Walpole Bay, you can warm up with coffee and vinyl at Cliffs or make your way through Sète’s eclectic curation of wines and cheeseboards (they also throw a casual BBQ in the garden every Sunday in August). Where to stay in Margate No 42 Guesthouse Margate’s recent reinvention has seen it become a popular destination for food lovers, with the opening of several independent restaurants such as Angela’s, Sète and Sargasso. Now this seaside hotel, part of the small Guesthouse group, also in Bath, York and Brighton, provides another reason to visit the Kent coastal resort – its Pearly Cow restaurant and rooftop terrace providing magnificent views across the channel. Pearly Cow focusses on seafood platters, fish and grills. Whitstable oysters and salt cod tacos make a good sharing starter, salt-aged steaks are prepared in the open kitchen, with whipped bone marrow butter and beef fat chips – this is the kind of easy food, prepared simply, you want to enjoy on the coast. The reasonable wine list includes a decent house cava. Breakfast is similarly classic, with local Brogdale sausages in the full English, alongside a decent eggs royale and organic porridge with honey and pistachio. Make use of the communal pantry for early morning tea, coffee and pastries, or late-night snacks – huge jars of traditional sweet shop treats like lemon sherbets and chocolate bars. Bedrooms are light and sunny, with neutral colours and fabrics, made contemporary with touches such as a record player and choice of vinyl, modern prints and beach-hut-shaped tea and coffee station. Bramley toiletries and power showers are very welcome after a day on the beach. In the lounge bar, Dreamland’s ferris wheel is referenced in its wall decorations, with raffia lightshades and touches of aqua adding beach house vibes. B&B from £170 per night. Check availability on their website. Fort Road Hotel One of Margate’s iconic seafront buildings opposite Turner Contemporary gallery has been restored to its former life as a hotel. Design is at the forefront throughout, with pieces from artists with Kentish ties and vintage Scandinavian furniture (Danish teak mirrors, beech chairs, rosewood tables) giving each room its own unique character. Bold-hued tiles adorn neat bathrooms, kitted out with seaweed-infused products from local spa Haeckels. Local connections extend to the food and drink options, served in the smart, intimate ground-floor restaurant. Choose between Kentish wines from the likes of Simpsons vineyard or a local gin (Greensand Ridge is herbaceous while Dockyard has notes of citrus and spice). Dishes include trout lifted with Hinxden Farm Dairy crème fraîche and skate wing bathing in beurre noisette and brown shrimp. Breakfast is a real treat, with bacon sarnies offering a satisfying crunch courtesy of hot baguettes from Oast Bakery down the road. Small touches take the hospitality to the next level. A brown paper bag of homemade cookies awaits in the room, best enjoyed with a a glass of rosé or sherry-laced hot chocolate on the rooftop while watching the sunset over the rugged coastline. Doubles from £140, check availability at fortroadhotel.com or booking.com The Reading Rooms One of the first boutique-style b&bs to open on the North Kent Coast, and one which has made great use of the fine Georgian buildings that dominate this area. In Hawley Square, just back from the old town but within strolling distance of all the main attractions, its three bedrooms pair ‘rough luxe’ styling (think fabulous beds and designer bathroom fittings but artfully distressed walls) with gloriously high ceilings and beautiful wooden floors. Breakfasts are equally special, ranging from a full English to ciabatta and bacon sandwiches or slices of toast spread with cream cheese, honey and cinnamon. And don’t miss the gourmet hot chocolate. Doubles from £142, check availability at thereadingroomsmargate.co.uk More UK travel guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in Broadstairs Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge
Four festive UK city getaways for shopping, eating and exploring
Discover four of our favourite festive UK cities where you can gift shop, chill and eat magical food (plus the cool neighbourhoods you should be exploring)
Looking for a quick festive getaway which combines unique shopping with delicious food? Discover the most festive city getaways across the UK, then check out our guide to the UK's best boutique hotels for food lovers and farm stays for food lovers. Or find your new favourite neighbourhood in our top foodie neighbourhoods in 11 UK cities. Bath Milsom Street and around, Bath A Unesco World Heritage site, Bath is a festive stunner. Behind its Georgian facades, moreover, you will find incredible shopping that should cover all gift buying needs. Names like Kiehl’s, Russell & Bromley, Aesop and Lakeland cluster in and around Milsom Street, alongside notable Bath indies, such as shoemaker Chanii B or Gabucci Menswear. Foodie stops include cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield, chocolatier Neuhaus, Green Street butcher and, for wine and spirits, Amathus. In the new Shires Yard (previously Milsom Place), you will find Coret coffee, classes at The Cookery Studio and an outpost of Bristol chef Josh Eggleton’s muchpraised, veg-led restaurant, Root. Elsewhere in Bath, other tasty options include: Corkage Handsome bottle shop, bar and dining room offering up to 60 wines by the glass to accompany seasonal sharing plates of, say, beef shin croquettes with capers and mustard, or salt-baked celeriac, burnt apple, black winter truffle, vanilla, pecorino and mint. corkagebath.com Magari Impressive fresh pasta kitchen in Shires Yard. High-quality Italian and British ingredients (Amalfi lemons, Mutti tomatoes, Cacklebean eggs, Sussex Charmer cheese) underpin competitively priced dishes of sausage ragu, pesto, carbonara and such. magaripasta.co.uk Chez Dominique A short walk from Milsom Street. Modern French and European cooking that delivers in mains of, for example, roast cod, butter beans, chorizo and tapenade, or onglet, wild garlic butter and pommes frites. chezdominique.co.uk Beckford Canteen Modern British restaurant which, since 2022, has taken Bath by storm in well executed dishes such as onion squash soup with hazelnut and sage; venison, celeriac and blackberries; and plaice in café de Paris butter. beckfordcanteen.com Norwich and Oxford Norwich Lanes, Norwich Remote enough to feel like a genuine getaway, Norwich is a city of fantastic food, fab indie shopping and endless historic layers. It also looks – check the Insta-perfect cobbled Elm Hill – particularly picturesque in winter. These features come together in Norwich Lanes, a colourful, walkable neighbourhood of streets and alleys, many home to Georgian and medieval buildings, that sits between the River Wensum and the Guildhall. Stylishly festooned at Christmas, Jarrolds independent department store is legendary. Start your gift shopping there before delving into the Lanes’ hundreds of boutiques, from sustainable slow-fashion store Atwin, Elm homewares or Lisa Angel jewellery, to Bowhill & Elliott, makers of luxurious house slippers since 1874. The Lanes are also abundant with good food and drink. Refuel at bakery Bread Source, brunch spot JC Pinto or burger joint Bun X. Later, after pre-dinner cocktails at The Drawing Rooms, pick from: Benedicts A much-loved modern British restaurant in which chef-patron Richard Bainbridge makes memorable use of regional produce in, as Christmas nears, dishes such as a spicy game pâté en croûte or a festive version of his GBM-winning Nanny Bush’s trifle. restaurantbenedicts.com Yard Fresh pastas, fastidious sauces and on-point cocktails are the draw at this buzzy walk-in only spot. Try the pappardelle with 12-hour beef shin ragu or the sausage and fennel rigatoni. yardnorwich.com L’hexagone Modern French bistro cooking from chef Thomas Aubrit. Expect dishes such as soupe à l’oignon, boeuf bourguignon and a stand-out crème brûlée. hexagonebistrofrancais.com Brix and Bones This attractive live-fire restaurant is a hit for next-level steaks (aging sides of beef are displayed in several gorgeous fridges) and chef George Wood’s modish dishes of, say, sesame pork toast with black bean emulsion or aged mutton, fermented celeriac and nasturtium. brixandbones.com East Oxford A historic gem of dreaming spires and ancient streets, Oxford is an evocative festive destination. Nearby attractions, including Blenheim Palace with its Great Court skating rink and seasonal light trail, seal this wonderland deal. But beyond this cute backdrop a different Oxford is doing its thing. East of the city centre, around Cowley Road, hip young Oxford is at play: browsing vinyl at record shop Truck, catching movies at the indie Ultimate Picture Palace and shopping at boutiques such as Scandi lifestyle store Löfgrens, and vintage clothing hub The Retro Room. Pick up foodie treats at Hamblin Bread, coffee roaster Missing Bean, health food store Wild Honey and, every Saturday, East Oxford Farmers’ and Community Market. Later, get a taste of the local scene at The Chester Arms (home of a legendary steak platter) or at these varied picks: Arbequina With its long zinc bar and lively vibe, Arbequina riffs winningly on Spanish tapas culture in plates of, for example, onion tortilla, aubergine, whipped feta, molasses and pomegranate, and ibérico de bellota pork tenderloin with mojo verde. Exciting news alert! Arbequina co-owner Rufus previously ran the acclaimed Oli’s Thai with his wife, chef Ladd Thurston, which they recently relaunched on boho Magdalen Road. Go, go, go. arbequina.co.uk Taste Tibet Spruce, stripped-back neighbourhood hang where Yeshi Jampa’s Tibetan dishes (beef momos, various curries, flatbreads, sides such as fermented mooli) have an enthusiastic following. tastetibet.com The Magdalen Arms For 16 years this gastropub has won hearts with its homemade focaccia, fresh pastas, classic cheese soufflé and feasting sharing dishes such as a seven-hour cooked lamb shoulder with dauphinoise and pickled cabbage. magdalenarms.co.uk Bigfoot With a neat line in DJs, margaritas and tacos, Bigfoot’s short menu includes taco toppings like miso oyster mushrooms, jalapeño crema and spring onion, or braised pork, pickled red onion and pineapple. bigfootoxford.com Edinburgh Edinburgh Southside, Marchmont and Newington Britain’s most Christmassy city? It is hard to look past Edinburgh which, around its central Princes Street Gardens, offers shopping galore and diversions, from ice skating to a Hogmanay torchlight procession as part of the city’s winter festival. After that excitement, chill in Edinburgh’s foodie neighbourhoods, such as Stockbridge, Leith or the simmering Southside, around Marchmont and Newington. Bordering the green Meadows and Holyrood Park (home of Arthur’s Seat) and close to the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill nature reserve, the Southside boasts restorative walking country on its doorstep and cultural hotspots – notably, Summerhall Arts and music and comedy venue The Queen’s Hall. Ace places to eat include casual faves such as bakery-café Kate’s, Mara’s Picklery, contemporary sandwich shop Alby’s, and NY-inspired slice joint Sear’s Pizza. Also, these four zingers: Argile Ten-seat chef ’s counter, where engaging chef Jack Montgomery and team imaginatively deploy superb Scottish ingredients. Stand-out dishes include a slow-cooked egg (63C for 63 minutes) presented in a 96-hour cooked pressed onion broth, garnished with salted trout roe, togarashi and ibérico fat. argilerestaurant.co.uk Pomelo Chef-owner Jun Au’s modern Asian venue is loved for its cosy warmth, hand-ripped noodles and the vibrant creativity of its sharing dishes. Think roast cauliflower, Cantonese curry and spelt risotto, or scallop carpaccio, gordal olives and chilli crisp. pomelocafe.co.uk Nàdair Modish Marchmont restaurant where chefs Sarah Baldry and Alan Keery treat foraged and seasonal Scottish produce with distinctive Scandi-adjacent élan: including the likes of beautifully plated cured trout with spruce, smoked crème fraîche, pickled apple and sorrel. restaurantnadair.com Condita From individual hand-drawn menus to specialist ingredients cultivated on its owners’ Borders allotment, intimate candlelit Condita is a special experience. Chef Tyler King’s tasting menu takes the Scottish larder on a global tour in detailed dishes awarded a Michelin star in February. condita.co.uk
10 London park café destinations for food lovers
Discover London's cool clutch of park cafés for refuelling – the perfect excuse to linger a little longer in the city's leafy spaces
London’s plenteous leafy spaces have long been a sanctuary for city-dwellers, but in recent years the classic park café has undergone a transformation. Gone are the days of limp sandwiches and instant coffee in polystyrene cups. Across the capital, a new breed of park cafés is drawing Londoners and visitors with menus as first-class as their views. More than just a place to grab a flat white – these are foodie destinations in their own right, where you can expect specialty coffee, next-level bakes and a sense of community – all without leaving the park. Whether you’re seeking a post-run pastry, a peaceful lakeside brunch or a packed-out burrito, these spots are worth the detour. FINK'S, Clissold House North Londoners have even more reason to swoon over this beloved Hackney park thanks to newly opened Fink’s Clissold House. Breathing life into the park’s elegant Grade II listed Clissold House, expect straightforward fare with an emphasis on utilising local suppliers. Go for the coffee from Scenery Coffee Roasters and stay for the next-level toasties (pastrami, dill pickle and gruyère) and pastries coming fresh daily from Fink's Bakery in N4, such as the rosette apple, vanilla custard and pecan crumble danish. Cakes are made with seasonal fruit from Natoora & Shrub Provisions and Wildfarmed flour. Furrier friends are also catered for, with dog treats available for purchase in shop. Aside from the refrigerator stocked with locally made soft drinks, foodies can fill their totes on Fink's thoughtful selection of gourmet goods, from tinned fish and truffle crisps to wines and spirits. Come for a proper refuel before a stroll to spot the park’s roaming deer - a blissful afternoon. instagram.com/finks.london Bad Manners, Shoreditch Church Serving a pithy menu of burritos and Mexican-style snacks, this shiny silver trailer has become a cult favourite for East Londoners in the know. Following a successful stint at St John at Hackney Churchyard, this hip establishment is now parked at Shoreditch Church, drawing its burrito devotees – arrive early on weekends to bag a table and avoid disappointment. What to order? The slow-braised beef barbacoa burrito is a must, loaded with Mexican rice, lime crema, braised flor de mayo beans, pickles, onion, coriander and salsa verde. Everything is made to order, with no unnecessary fluff – just bold, full-on flavour. You can also refuel on speciality coffee from PLOT Roasting. instagram.com/badmanners.ldn Queen's Wood Café, Highgate Wood Londoners looking for a slice of woodland magic within commuting distance are in luck thanks to this charming Highgate café. Set amid ancient woodlands in a former wood keeper’s lodge dating back to 1898, this chalet-style café is a favourite for those seeking a fairytale escape from the city, complete with a sweet community garden and therapy cabin. You'll find simple, organic and veggie-focused dishes on the menu (think burrata salad and homemade quiche) and pastries baked fresh daily (cherry danish, cinnamon swirl). Art exhibitions regularly adorn the walls, marking a pretty backdrop to while away the hours. Order a coffee and slice of carrot cake, make a beeline for a seat on the fairy-lit terrace, then breathe in those cosy woodland views. It's a dog-friendly space, too, perfect for walkers in need of a restorative pit stop. queenswoodcafe.org Sons, St John at Hackney Courtyard A friendly kiosk in a leafy Hackney space, Sons has quickly become a foodie-fuelled community hub. Last month, each meatball marinara grilled cheese sandwich sold triggered a fresh loaf from local favourite e5 bakehouse to be donated to Lighthouse, a charity providing support to the homeless and vulnerable across Hackney. They also host run clubs, Pilates classes and pop-ups, adding to its neighbourhood appeal. The team particularly love working with local roasteries who focus on sourcing traceable, high-quality coffee and roasting with care (their latest guest roastery sponsored the weekly run club, with a post-run coffee on them). Silky flat whites aside, you can expect pastries from The Snapery East, grilled cheese sandwiches (including a salty, slow-roasted beef brisket) and tomato soup for just £2. You'll also find plenty of wooden bench seating, with an awning to keep you covered from wet weather. instagram.com/sons.hackney Bunhead, Brockwell Park Though technically not in the park, this humble bakery on the fringes of Brockwell Park is a blessing for the pastry-obsessed in south London. This Herne Hill neighbourhood spot opened just a year ago, when self-taught baker Sara Assad-Mannings took the plunge to move her home lockdown business to a permanent site to give customers a taste of her Palestinian flavours. It may be a bijou space, but the team's warmth and humour will always put a smile on your face. It's hard to choose from the tempting range of sweet and savoury buns – from rhubarb, rose and sumac to shatta and cheddar. bunheadbakery.com Blas, Victoria Park Blas is the new kid on the Victoria Park block, giving stalwart Pavilion a run for its money. The modest red-tiled hut, perfectly situated for runners finishing their routes, is rooted in local history, housed in a former chapel turned rangers’ hut. The serving hatch, finished in a pop of striking Rosewood Red, is a nod to the building’s past, while the modern line-up features all the big-hitters, from cinnamon buns and maritozzi to soft serve in the summer (think Estate Dairy cereal milk topped with cornflake crunch). Blas prides itself on spotlighting guest roasters, with a selection of retail coffees from each roaster, along with a rotating filter menu showcasing each coffee in its best form. instagram.com/blaslondon The Engine House Café, Walthamstow Wetlands This Grade II listed building – originally a sewage pumping station built in 1885 – now houses an elegant café where you can fill up on bagels and freshly roasted coffee by north London specialist roasters Liberty Coffee. Offering a peaceful escape from the city within the wetlands, there's seating within the exposed brick walls of the original Victorian building, or head out to the terrace for birdwatching and enviable reserve views to match. wildlondon.org.uk/cafes Pear Tree Cafe, Battersea Park (and Clapham Common and Lincoln's Inn Fields) This sun-dappled spot boasts a prime position overlooking Battersea Park’s pretty boating lake. Lakeside views aside, brunch is a popular occasion here, with a menu that refreshes the classics with bold, luxurious twists. Buttermilk pancakes are topped with apple and blackberry compote, whipped vanilla mascarpone and toasted almonds, sourdough is slathered in marmite and parmesan-flavoured Bold Beans and smashed avocado arrives heaped onto sourdough alongside feta, basil oil, chilli oil and watermelon radish – an olive favourite. At weekends, there's flaky pastries and coffee from Triple Roast. Since you're in the area, it would be remiss to skip a trip to Mahali & Co bakery, located on the park's perimeter – its creative pandan and coconut cruffins are not to be missed. Coal House Café, Woodberry Wetlands Housed in a stylish, Grade II listed former coal house, this waterside café is a local gem for those in the know. Boasting a rooftop patio, desirable waterside views and sizeable garden, it does a good job at enticing Londoners into leafy spaces before they've even looked for the menu. The rooftop patio and garden are superb spots for sunny London weekends, while the indoor space is cosy in the cooler months. The menu covers a satisfying selection of toasties, seasonal soups and freshly baked pastries. Coffee is freshly roasted in north London each week by Liberty Coffee. wildlondon.org.uk/cafes The Serpentine Lido Café, Hyde Park Hyde Park's iconic Serpentine Lido Café sits right by the water, making it one of central London's most picturesque coffee spots. It's an A1 position for ice cream in the warmer months, but you’ll also find a comforting menu of creamy burrata salads, club sandwiches and nduja poached eggs, perfect for catering to your foodie needs without having to leave the park. Families, locals and city explorers all make use of the café’s ample outdoor seating. Being in central, it can get busy on weekends, but the lakeside views and the hum of Hyde Park life are ample reward. Add it to your list for next time you're in the West End and need refuelling. royalparks.org.uk/serpentine-lido-cafe
We pick the best foodie places to stay in this south-western county, from a stylish farmhouse retreat with its own smokehouse to a jaunty harbourside b&b with outstanding breakfasts
Looking for the best places to stay in Cornwall? After a bed and breakfast on the Cornish coast? Want to find a romantic hotel in Cornwall? From St Ives to Penzance, we've rounded up the best foodie hotels in Cornwall, from seaside bed and breakfasts to Cornish farmhouse retreats, as well as restaurants with rooms to stay in Cornwall. See our guide to the best restaurants in Cornwall for all the best places to eat and drink during your stay. Now discover UK spa hotels for food lovers, the best hotel baths worth travelling for in the UK or our best European hidden gem hotels for more travel inspiration. Best Cornwall hotels for food lovers Pedn Olva, St Ives Doubles from £136, check availability at booking.com or pednolva.co.uk Perched on the granite rocks above the sands of Porthminster Beach, the Pedn Olva has recently undergone a transformation, creating a luxurious space to spend a long, lazy weekend. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of every angle from the sweep of St Ives Bay out to the open sea and all along the beach. Grab a pint of Mena Dhu stout in the cosy Lookout nook for seal and dolphin spotting or head to one of the open terraces (including a huge roof terrace) for panoramic views. The décor is warm and inviting with loungy mid-century modern chairs, sheepskin throws and reclaimed wood tables. Walls showcase the work of local artists in a nod to St Ives’ colourful art history. Rooms have been given a plush makeover with rich upholstery in mustard and soft blues, and warm wood cladding. There are cloud-like Hypnos beds and Nespresso machines should you want to linger over morning coffee. Bathrooms are generous with rainfall showers and toiletries from Cornish company Land & Water. We stayed in a snug dog-friendly room which had the advantage of its own outside entrance with a route directly down steps to the beach – perfect for sunrise swims and late-night walks. The menus showcase local suppliers with spankingly fresh fish dishes such as grilled half-shell scallops with Café de Paris butter or steamed mussels in Cornish cider alongside pub classics and daily changing specials. Breakfast is a hearty affair with eggs benedict or smashed avo toast, or keep things simple with a full fry-up. Served up until 11am it makes for a leisurely start to the day. Doubles from £200, check availability at booking.com or pednolva.co.uk Havener's Bar & Grill, Fowey Doubles from £273, check availability at booking.com Fowey is a pretty, buzzy harbour town in the south of Cornwall. Set in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, the town has a rich maritime history and, in season, the harbour is still filled with yachts (there’s also a Royal Regatta each summer). Narrow cobbled streets wind uphill from the quayside and there is a lively independent shopping, eating and drinking scene. Sitting in a prime position right on the quayside is Havener’s Bar and Grill, a restaurant with five stylish bedrooms and an apartment above it. The restaurant itself has a hearty menu with lots of pub classics, traditional desserts and extremely generous portions. There's a well-priced wine list and selection of Cornish beers. We stayed in the Havener’s self-contained, two-bedroom Waterside Apartment (also dog-friendly). It comes with a huge wrap-around balcony overlooking the river and estuary with plenty of room for a table, chairs and loungers. The spacious rooms are cozily furnished and there is the same river view from the large lounge and dining room windows so you can happily read, eat, drink and doze in or out of the sun. The kitchen is really well equipped, too, so impromptu meals are easy to put together. Doubles from £273, check availability at booking.com Trevose Harbour House, St Ives Doubles from £165, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk The best bed and breakfast in St Ives... Breakfast is an art form at Trevose Harbour House, in the higgledy-piggledy artistic hub that is St Ives (home of the Tate Modern and the Barbara Hepworth Museum). A jaunty boutique B&B, with six nautical-themed rooms, a smattering of Ercol and harbour views, the focus is firmly on local and organic. Start with a smoothie 'shot of the day' then choose from their version of the continental or a hot dish. The continental is a smorgasbord of homemade bircher muesli, granola parfait, organic yoghurt, fresh fruit, seasonal fruit compote, homemade organic multigrain granola, freshly baked pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins and local organic bread smeared with homemade jams. Along with the full English, cooked options include a hot croissant filled with runny Cornish brie, ham and tomato. Doubles from £165, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Artist Residence, Penzance Doubles from £140, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk A coolly colourful 17-bedroom hotel in Penzance’s old quarter with a relaxed vibe (checked blankets, yellow Roberts radios, contemporary artworks) and a retro-chic restaurant and bar, The Cornish Barn. The menu in the restaurant includes meat and fish from its in-house smokehouse, or tuck into tapas-style dishes of deep-fried squid with chilli, lime and salt, and parsnip rösti with caramelised shallots and goat’s cheese. Dessert is rum-infused crème brûlée, hazelnut brittle and homemade banana ice cream. Doubles from £140, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk The Greenbank, Falmouth Doubles from £143, check availability at booking.com Perched on Falmouth’s waterside, with its own private pontoon, The Greenbank is a little piece of Cornish history in itself, originally serving as a lodging house for sea captains during the town’s maritime heyday before becoming a full-blown hotel (20th century guests included Florence Nightingale and Wind in the Willows author, Kenneth Grahame, whose most famous book is thought to have been based on letters he wrote while staying there). Super-comfy king size beds, crisp sheets, fluffy robes and a white-tiled bathroom complete with huge walk-in shower and White Company toiletries all added to the luxurious feel, as did the calm and muted colour palette, speckled with little flashes of sea-blue. Breakfast is as equally impressive as the view you get while eating it (the Water’s Edge restaurant runs the whole length of the front of the hotel). If you don’t fancy a Full Cornish you can tuck into smoked haddock and poached eggs, eggs Benedict or porridge with Rodda’s clotted cream. Doubles from £143, check availability at booking.com Coombeshead Farm, Launceston Doubles from £165, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or coombesheadfarm.co.uk There are 66 acres of meadow, copse and wooded riverbank to scour for the perfect picnic spot at Coombeshead Farm. Once the dairy farm for the Trelaske estate, this is the latest venture from British chefs Tom Adams (of London restaurant Pitt Cue) and April Bloomfield (who set up Michelin-starred gastropub The Spotted Pig in the States). A working farm, and guesthouse, it's a pulse-racing addition to Cornwall's culinary scene. There are nine bedrooms (and one adjoining bunk room) in the rambling 18th-century Georgian farmhouse, which squints over at Dartmoor on the horizon. Plus a dining room where Adams and Bloomfield dish up dinner at the 'feasting table' - expect produce from their smokehouse, curing and pickling rooms. For breakfast there's homemade yoghurt, bread, freshly milled oats and grains, preserves, butters, ham, bacon and cheeses to tuck into. Doubles from £165, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or coombesheadfarm.co.uk Kudhva, Tintagel Doubles from £143, check availability at booking.com or kudhva.com Drive down narrow lanes flanked by towering green hedges on Cornwall’s wild Atlantic coast to discover Kudhva, an off-grid glampsite near Trebarwith Strand. Set up by leatherworker Louise Middleton, this disused quarry has been transformed into a verdant enclave where visitors can stay in tree tents, rigged above ground, or in one of four kudhva – compact wood-and-metal cabins on stilts. In the midst of this bucolic setting is a self-catering glamping site. Expect flushing toilets, solar-powered showers, your own fire pit, a communal kitchen and even an outdoor hot tub, while the rustic surroundings are reflected in the décor – much of the furniture and structures are wooden and handmade, with jars of velvety fern fronds and wildflowers decorating most surfaces. Doubles from £143, check availability at booking.com or kudhva.com Havener’s Bar and Grill, Fowey Doubles from £145, check availability at booking.com Looking for hotels in South Cornwall? Fowey is a pretty, buzzy harbour town. Set in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, the town has a rich maritime history and, in season, the harbour is still filled with yachts (there’s also a Royal Regatta each summer). Narrow cobbled streets wind uphill from the quayside and there is a lively independent shopping, eating and drinking scene. Sitting in a prime position right on the quayside is Havener’s Bar and Grill, a restaurant with five stylish bedrooms and an apartment above it. The hearty food menu has plenty of pub classics such as fish and chips, steak and burgers but also offers some slightly more refined cooking with lots of local fish and seafood. Doubles from £145, check availability at booking.com The St Tudy Inn, St Tudy Doubles from £150, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Emily Scott's gastropub The St Tudy Inn in the little Cornish village of the same name is also home to simple, stylish bedrooms, too. Good news for fans of her rustic, seasonal menus, as you can stumble straight up to bed after dinner. Doubles from £150, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth Doubles from £275, check availability at scarlethotel.co.uk Looking for romantic hotels in Cornwall? The only routine at The Scarlet, a hotel perching on the edge of Mawgan Porth, is the regularity of the tide: the cool waters pulling back to reveal soft golden sand and thousands of lead-coloured mussels that cling to the rocks as stubbornly as guests lie on the loungers a few metres above. Rooms, which are spread over five levels, come with their own outdoor space and open-plan bathrooms to ensure the connection with the view is never broken. The goosebump-inducing outdoor pool is naturally filtered with reeds, while the indoor pool is heated by solar panels. Dinner is served in a dramatically quirky three-AA-rosette dining room that makes most sense when the curtains are pulled back to reveal the views. One day you might have Cornish hake with lobster ravioli, cured ham, lobster bisque and cucumber, the next a twice-baked Cornish Crackler cheese soufflé with candied walnut and Devon Cox’s apple salad. Like the hotel as a whole, it’s well considered but far from formal. Doubles from £275, check availability at scarlethotel.co.uk Trewornan Manor, Wadebridge Doubles from £180, check availability at booking.com Luxury B&B Trewornan Manor may date back to the 13th century but its attitude to food is firmly forward thinking. Close to the Camel Estuary, and surrounded by 25 acres of gardens and meadows, the four-bedroom property (Porthilly and Daymer feature freestanding tubs) is fast becoming a gourmet destination. Highlights include an honesty bar stocked with Sharp's Doom Bar, a beer brewed down the road in Rock, and Camel Valley sparkling wine; breakfasts that focus on the best Cornish produce (butcher Philip Warrens in nearby Launceston is one of the suppliers); and a location that’s just a napkin’s throw from Rick Stein's empire in Padstow. Doubles from £180, check availability at booking.com Chapel House, Penzance Doubles from £200, check availability at chapelhousepz.co.uk One of the best bed and breakfasts in Cornwall... Nobody has coined the right term yet for the ‘B&B plus’, according to Susan Stuart, owner of Chapel House in Penzance. Many luxury B&Bs now offer far more than a traditional guesthouse yet don't fall into the boutique hotel category. Chapel House, once the Penzance Arts Club, is certainly one of those. Relishing a new lease of life after an extensive renovation, the stately Georgian building is now light and bright, with six sleek bedrooms and walls hung with striking modern artworks. As well as slap-up communal breakfasts (sizzled cod roe, samphire, smoked bacon and poached egg is a Cornish speciality) Stuart hosts gourmet suppers, long Sunday brunches and lunches, foraging and feasting weekends, guest chef demos, Saturday morning children's cookery classes and has a home-from-home, right-to-roam attitude to the fridge. Doubles from £200, check availability at chapelhousepz.co.uk Haybarton, Tregony Doubles from £120, check availability at haybarton.com or airbnb.com (for The Potager self-catering let) Another fab B&B in Cornwall, the previous winner of Alistair Sawday's 'most praised breakfast award' Haybarton is a farmhouse B&B with just three pretty rooms and a self-catering let The Potager on Cornwall's picturesque Roseland Peninsula. After tumbling out of bed and gazing out over rolling farmland as you run a bath in the roll-top tub, you can wander downstairs to its flagstoned dining room to feast on scrambled eggs (from their own Maran hens), sausages and bacon from the local Kernow Sausage Company, homemade granola baked in the Aga and local artisan breads spread with homemade marmalade and locally produced honey. Doubles from £120, check availability at haybarton.com or airbnb.com (for The Potager self-catering let) More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Best Scottish hotels
The UK hotel baths worth travelling for this autumn
From tubs under the stars to full spas in a hotel bathroom, these are the perfect relaxing escapes
As the clocks change and evenings draw in, the shift from autumn to winter pulls us two ways: our bodies crave hibernation while daily life demands we keep going. Now more than ever, we need ways to wind down, as nearly one in three of us report lower mood and heightened stress as the days shorten. The antidote? Surprisingly simple: a bath. But, for many of us, a freestanding tub remains a fantasy constrained by the realities of our home bathrooms. The promise of a proper bath is often top of the list when booking a weekend away. You're not alone if a bath is high on your accommodation must-haves: more than 60% of travellers now prioritise wellness amenities when booking, and hotel bathrooms are being transformed from functional spaces into full-blown sanctuaries. Think: gleaming copper tubs, Japanese onsen-inspired soaks or outdoor cast-iron baths where you can bathe under the stars. The ritual of a proper soak does fantastic work. It regulates circadian rhythms, lowers cortisol and triggers the release of serotonin and endorphins. Plus, it’s the kind of easy luxury many of us are really after in a hotel stay: not posh pillow menus or champagne on arrival, but space to properly relax. The evenings are drawing in and the temperature's dropping, so next time you're booking a trip, seek out a room where the bath is the main event. Here are our favourites. Copper baths There's something extra-special about copper. These burnished baths develop their own character, acquiring a unique patina over time. Copper also conducts heat beautifully, meaning it will keep your water warmer for longer. It's been synonymous with luxurious bathing since Victorian times, when gleaming tubs were polished to a mirror shine. Where to go: the huts and lakeside suites at Another Place in the Lake District have gleaming copper baths positioned as bedroom centrepieces, so you can soak (ideally after a hike) while watching the fells reflected in Ullswater. For a soak by the sea, Artist Residence properties in both Brighton and Penzance tuck copper baths into light-flooded window spots where the metal catches the seaside sun. You'll also find beautiful examples throughout The Pig's collection of country house hotels, each one ideally placed for post-walk muscle recovery, but the copper tub at its Combe Manor is really special. Tucked into its own curved alcove with a rainfall shower overhead, it's burnished to a warm glow that creates such a sense of sanctuary, you'll want to cancel dinner plans and stay put all evening. Traditional roll-top baths The classic Victorian roll-top never goes out of style. There's a reason these freestanding beauties have endured: claw feet planted firmly on tiled floors, generous depth and a satisfying curve that supports your back as you relax. They're the baths of our collective imagination when we think 'luxury'. Where to go: the Lido Townhouse in Bristol has a lovely classic bath, shrunk to an adorable short roll-top design that's perfect for a proper shoulders-under submersion. One is even placed in the centre of the bedroom for that special sense of theatre. Edinburgh's The Witchery features them throughout its gothic hotel, often surrounded by lavishly painted panelling and mirrors for maximum impact. Retro baths Is it modern or retro? The best contemporary bath designs blur the line entirely, reimagining classic silhouettes in unexpected colours that feel both very now and nostalgically 1970s. Think: avocado green, dusty pink or slate grey – all shades that would have been perfectly at home in a decade obsessed with earthy tones and sunken conversation pits, but rendered in sleek contemporary forms that feel fresh. Where to go: Restaries, a chic retreat on a 16th-century Suffolk farm, features the cult-favourite BC Designs 'Senator Tub'. This sculptural beauty has a chunky lip and distinctive bun feet that's become an Instagram phenomenon. The Pig in the South Downs fully commits to the retro revival with an avocado green tub from Aston Matthews that manages to feel both playful and sophisticated against its country house backdrop, while Glebe House in Devon opts for candy colours in pink and yellow, proving that great interiors don’t have to be white and minimal. Japanese onsen baths The Japanese understand bathing as ritual, not routine. These honour that tradition with spaces deep enough to submerge to your shoulders so you can have a contemplative bathing session rather than a quick dip. Where to go: Fforest in Wales has crafted onsen-style baths from a repurposed cow's trough that somehow feels both rustic and refined. The concrete cast conducts heat beautifully, so you can stay as long as you like while nature moves around you. In Norfolk, Spink's Nest has an indoor sunken tub that feels meditative and calming, positioned to embrace Japanese principles of bathing – deep and dark to encourage you to slow down completely. Baths with a view Why hide the tub in a separate room when the landscape outside deserves equal attention? These are baths positioned for maximum impact, where the vista becomes part of the bathing ritual. Part of the joy of a long soak is the enforced pause, a rare stretch of time without screens. With time to think, it's good to have a stunning view to contemplate. Where to go: Another Place The Lakes suspends a tin tub in a glass-walled treehouse, offering canopy-level views over woodland. The Beacon, an Arts & Crafts-era country house outside Tunbridge Wells, has a copper bath hidden in a Princess turret (velvet curtains included) with breathtaking views across the Kent valley. Can’t decide between indoors or out? At The Hideout Treehouse in Devon, the choice is yours. It's home to the UK's first moving bath, so wherever you're positioned, you get a great treetop view – and there's even a rainfall shower outside. Outdoor baths For the truly committed, outdoor bathing offers something special: the contrast of hot water against cool air, steam rising into the night and the rare sense of freedom that comes from being exposed to the elements. Canopy & Stars reports that 'outdoor baths' is consistently in the top five features searched on its site, and it's for good reason – there's nothing quite like soaking under the stars while autumn mist settles over the landscape. Where to go: Southcombe Piggery, a lovingly restored piggery among the wildflowers and woods of Dartmoor National Park, has two outdoor baths for star-filled views across the valley during an evening under the stars. Oh, and there's a hillside sauna, too. Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey places outdoor baths where you can watch marsh harriers hunt at dusk. Its beautiful shepherd's huts are surrounded by wildflower meadows, and are the perfect spot for birdwatching as the sun sets. Couple baths Some experiences improve with company. These baths accommodate two comfortably, turning bathing into a shared ritual. Where to go: No. 15 in Bath – naturally – excels in the bath department, positioning them beneath Georgian windows in rooms where Jane Austen herself might have felt at home. Its 55sqm Hideout feels less like a hotel room and more like an apartment with its own spa. The star of the show is its huge hot tub that's big enough for two. If you don't fancy sharing, check into the Oak Suite at Foxhill Manor for two twin window-facing slipper tubs with just enough space for a champagne bucket in between – a classy touch, if you ask us. More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Black Friday hotel deals
10 foodie nature spots in the UK for spotting autumn leaves
Embrace the joys of autumn with these top foodie destinations, from golden foliage in the Cairngorms to the russet beauty of the Cotswolds
As the leaves turn golden and begin to tumble, there’s no better time to explore the UK’s enchanting nature spots than in autumn. We've found the finest spots that offer unrivalled views of the season's fiery foliage, including a treehouse with panoramic woodland views, a micro-bakery within lush gardens, and a snug Scottish cabin tucked into the hills. These are all prime spots for food lovers, too – from rustic gin distilleries and cider orchards to forest cafés and country pubs – all offering the perfect blend of leaf-peeping and seasonal fare. Which of these nature spots will make it onto your travel wish list? Once you've decided on your destination, embrace the season with coffee expert Celeste Wong's autumn coffee serves, including a clever British twist on the pumpkin spice latte, or make the most of autumn by booking a cosy cabin stay. Inshriach, Cairngorms, Scotland Log cabin within Cairngorms National Park Seek sanctuary during cosy season in this expertly crafted wooden cabin hidden away on the hillside above the River Spey. Owner Walter Micklethwait and his family built the log cabin during lockdown, which now proves as popular for holidays as it is with TV and photoshoots. Surrounded by mature woodland and the vast Cairngorms, this 200-acre mini Highland estate is ablaze with fiery colour by the time autumn rolls around, with picture-perfect views. It also happens to be home to a rustic gin distillery, where Walter concocts small-batch Speyside gins in an award-winning shed. Alternatively, if relaxation is top of your list, hop into the wood-fired sauna and steam away the stress. Besides the cabin, the estate’s elegant country house is perfect for a large family gathering (sleeping up to 18, with or without a chef) but, for a back-to-nature experience, there’s the cluster of quirky glamping options peppered throughout the tangled woodland. The quaint Swedish-style shepherd’s hut is old-school romantic with surrounding juniper bushes (the key ingredient in gin; most of the botanicals are foraged from the estate). Or, for those who want something a little more contemporary, there’s the bothy, a little modernist cabin nestled in the birch woods above the Spey. inshriachhouse.com Queen's Wood Café, Highgate Wood, London Charming woodland café in north London Londoners looking for a slice of autumn tranquility within commuting distance are in luck thanks to this enchanting café in north London's Highgate. Set amid ancient woodlands, the space was originally built in 1898 as a wood keeper's lodge and tearoom. It now functions as a friendly chalet-style café with a community garden and therapy cabin. You'll find organic and veggie-focused dishes on the menu (think burrata salad and homemade quiche) and pastries are baked fresh daily (cherry Danish, cinnamon swirl). Art exhibitions regularly adorn the walls, making a pretty backdrop to while away the hours. We recommend ordering an autumnal coffee and slice of carrot cake, then sitting out on the terrace illuminated in lights, taking in the woodland views. It's a dog-friendly space, too, perfect for walkers hoping for a coffee pit stop or spot of lunch. queenswoodcafe.org The Cordia Collective at Borde Hill, West Sussex Micro-bakery within historic Sussex gardens Find this new culinary venture from Green Michelin-starred chef Chantelle Nicholson nestled within the idyllic gardens of this Grade II-listed, 2,300-acre estate in West Sussex. The collective started life as a micro-bakery in spring this year, and there are plans to develop into a glasshouse restaurant, café and wine bar, and workshop space in the former stables. Headed up by acclaimed baker Janine Edwards from London’s much-loved Toklas Bakery, highlights include warm, freshly baked curlicues, (aka their own take on a much-loved cinnamon bun), vibrant focaccia sandwiches and Ploughman's plates, with some ingredients harvested straight from the garden itself. After securing your goodies, take a peaceful stroll among the vibrant foliage which, in autumn, deepens into warmer, richer tones – look out for the amber-blazing maple tree which glows against the light. It's an impressive place to take a moment to pause while enjoying the flavours of the season. Elsewhere at Borde Hill, you can sign up to autumn foraging walks, plus Halloween trails and activities for families. bordehill.co.uk Bettys Harlow Carr Tea Room, Harrogate Charming teahouse overlooking lush gardens This little tea house in Harlow Carr gardens supplies all the treats and tipples required for a cosy autumnal day out. Find this North Yorkshire gem overlooking the handsome grounds of RHS Garden Harlow Carr, where autumn is celebrated with stunning displays of fiery red and golden leaves. The beauty of the surroundings is matched by all the traditional Bettys treats, including tempting breads, handmade cakes and hot chocolates, while you admire the panoramic view from your table. Take a walk through the gardens to the kiosk in the centre, order a hot chocolate and mooch through the vibrant trees, plants and greenhouses full of autumn produce. A wholesome place to soothe yourself out of a seasonal funk, foodies will love filling their totes with freshly made cakes, biscuits, fancies and other specialities in the Bettys shop – perfect for gifting or enjoying when you get home. bettys.co.uk The Newt, Somerset Cider tasting and woodland walks in the west country This country estate is famed for its cider orchards, woodland walks and immaculate gardens, all of which turn gorgeous shades of amber and crimson in autumn. Located between Bruton and the town of Castle Cary, this Palladian mansion-turned hotel is ideal for a seasonal garden retreat. On site, there’s a butcher’s, bakery, cider cellar, artisanal shop and three restaurants, all serving seasonal dishes – many of which feature ingredients grown or made on the estate (even the sourdough starter is made from apple pulp from the cider press). After taking an autumnal stroll, visit the cider cellar for a guided tour and tasting (The Newt’s own ciders are made with 100% apple juice and slow, cold fermentation, and are made to be served and enjoyed like wine). Sample the estate’s produce at the open-air cider bar located next to the shiny state-of-the-art cider-making facility (where you can also catch the daily apple-pressing 'show'). But it's not all cider-making and woodland walks. It's also a place to learn, with harvest-themed activities ranging from wreath-making to mushroom foraging. Then, there's Apple Day Weekend, one of the most hotly anticipated events on the estate calendar. Think a two-day celebration of Somerset heritage and all things ‘apple’, including apple games, orchard tractor tours, apple-themed menus, tastings, live music, BBQs and plenty of cider. You could also relax by pottering in the greenhouse or swimming in the spa. The choice is yours. thenewtinsomerset.com The Potting Shed, Crudwell, The Costwolds Village pub featuring a two-acre garden and apple trees Autumn's golden hues only add to the rustic charm of The Cotswolds, a prime spot for a seasonal strolling. Originally a Victorian pub called The Plough, The Potting Shed is located in the chocolate box village of Crudwell, a short drive from the M4. With its two-acre garden and apple trees, its the epitome of a country local and a suiting pit stop during your autumn foodie break. Once a favoured romantic bolthole for Prince William and Kate Middleton before their engagement, this cosy country pub sticks to hearty gastropub classics, with much of the produce coming from the abundant vegetable patch in the pub’s two-acre garden, which also has apple trees and lawns. Try a Cotswolds dry gin, or taste local ales such as Elmers pale bitter from Flying Monk Brewery in neighbouring Malmesbury. The pie of the day (ham with a poached egg on top, or chicken, sweetcorn and black pudding) is a must, served, as it should be, with creamy mash and rich gravy. There’s an outdoor patio and garden from which you can peek into the neighbouring allotments or challenge your friends to a game of boules on the pitch out back. Or simply gaze out over the foliage as you settle in with a pint. thepottingshedpub.com Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, London Peaceful north London park with roaming deer When the leaves are at their most golden, this serene Hackney park comes into its own. It offers the best of both worlds for time-poor Londoners: easy to travel to and large enough to escape urban life. The park is a true feast for the senses come autumn. Watch the resident deer rove around the enclosure while the leaves turn russet and gold, then listen to the leaves crunch beneath your feet as you stroll along the grassy verges flanking the New River. Combine your autumn walk with a trip to park café Fink’s Pump House, which opens every day and serves straightforward fare while utilising local suppliers. Go for the coffee from Scenery Coffee Roasters and stay for the sourdough sarnies and pastries coming fresh daily from Fink's Bakery in N4, such as their rosette apple, vanilla custard and pecan crumble danish. Foodies can also fill their totes on Fink's thoughtful selection of gourmet goods, from tinned fish and truffle crisps to wines and spirits. Wearied Londoners should consider a visit to this leafy sanctuary to contemplate and appreciate autumn's fleeting, enchanting beauty. Tu Hwnt I'r Bont Tearooms, North Wales 15th Century luxury tearoom with an idyllic riverside location Located in the small town of Llanrwst in North Wales, this charming grade II listed tearoom is often one of the most photographed places in the area. Though surrounded by beautiful gardens and views of the Conwy Valley, it's the building itself that encapsulates autumnal splendour – a breathtaking mosaic of rich, warm and earthy leaves which envelop the entire building. It's so stunning, you'll want it on a postcard. Inside, you'll find a charming tearoom serving artisan cakes and specialty teas alongside classic lunchtime specials. Choose opulence with a traditional high-tea, or sample its award-winning ice cream (from its very own Parisella's Ice Cream of Conwy). Painting the peaceful Welsh landscape with the most vivid autumnal hues, this modest tearoom is a top-of-the-list destination for a crisp autumn day out. tuhwntirbont.co.uk Stars & Vines, Herefordshire Vineyard cabins with sweeping views of rolling Herefordshire countryside For views of the rolling Herefordshire countryside, this vineyard, with its two beautifully appointed cabins, is uniquely placed. Take in the views while soaking in the outdoor hot tub, or strike out into 1,000 acres of the surrounding farmland where the River Lugg weaves through towering woods, and you might happen upon a small lake by one of the cornfields. The elegantly furnished modern cabins are situated at one of the highest points of the Broadfield Court Vineyard Estate, which produces a small-batch range of whites and rosé – a stay here wouldn’t be complete without a hosted wine-tasting (£95) with Alexandra James, who co-owns the estate with her husband Mark. The cabins are self-catered, but you can request a hamper for a continental or cooked breakfast, again stocked with fresh, local produce. On a clear evening, you can ask for a telescope and kick back by the firepit – with marshmallows and other gourmet treats supplied – to marvel at the stars. starsandvinesluxurylodges.co.uk Wild Escapes, Hampshire Luxury treehouses overlooking Hampshire vineyards Nestled in the forest on sprawling Fullerton Farm, this luxuriously wild autumn getaway offers four modern treehouses. The structures, crafted out of local materials, were designed to minimise impact on the surrounding ecosystem, and rewilding is encouraged, so birds, deer and badgers are abundant. Nestled into a wild woodland overlooking the vines of the Black Chalk vineyard, it's a soothing place to linger, sip and soak. Though each treehouse is unique – The Perigord is Scandi-chic, The Damselfly modern-minimalist, The Fallow decked out in earthy tones and The Poppy the most rustic, complete with its own firepit. All have a few things in common: vineyard vistas, wood-burning stoves, snazzy glass showers and terraces with bathtubs that come with sycamore wood champagne flute rests for the complimentary Black Chalk English sparkling wine. Take a private tour of neighbouring Black Chalk vineyard followed by a Treehouse Tasting, with a view of the vines where the grapes were grown. In the morning, enjoy a breakfast hamper curated from Hampshire producers, including small-batch Moon Roast coffee, Nicky’s Kitchen sourdough, and Fluffetts Farm free-range eggs. The surrounding woodland is perfect for autumnal walks, and local street food pop-ups and country pubs with riverside terraces offer plenty of feasting opportunities. wildescapes.com
Plan a relaxing holiday with these boltholes for food lovers, from a riverside retreat to a rural gin-themed getaway and a cosy stay in an idyllic shepherd's hut
Looking for boutique hotels to visit? Discover our boltholes for food lovers below, then check out our favourite UK city breaks, UK gastro pubs with rooms and the best restaurants with rooms in the UK. For further afield, check out our best European hidden gem hotels. If you're looking for a romantic getaway, discover the most romantic UK hotels, UK spa hotels for food lovers and the best hotel baths worth travelling for in the UK. Or, swap the hotels and discover the best unique UK holiday cottages for foodies. Best UK boutique hotels Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire This Georgian estate tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful North Yorkshire countryside is a destination for serious food lovers and wellness seekers. The jewel in the crown of the estate is Forge, a restaurant that recently earned its first Michelin star, thanks to head chef Jake Jones’s nature-led, hyper-seasonal tasting menus. Dishes highlight foraged ingredients and estate-grown produce, with inventive flavour combinations – dry-aged Nidderdale hogget with summer’s last mint and north coast cod with York asparagus, preserved lemon and English sparkling wine. A standout cheese course of Cashel Blue with pickled walnut, medlar and birch syrup precedes intricate desserts like forced rhubarb tart with custard and toasted milk. Drinks are equally thoughtful, with pairings ranging from a lemon thyme saison by Salt Brewery to a bright ortega from Kent and a rich reserva tinto from Alentejo, Portugal. Coach House offers a more relaxed approach for breakfast, all-day dining and cocktails inside and on the covered terrace, while Forest Spa, next to Forge, has its own light and nourishing spa menu, ideal for pre or post-treatment grazing. Rooms are spread across the estate – from the charming Tack Room with woodburning stove, huge freestanding bath and beamed ceilings, to contemporary suites with outdoor copper tubs and views of wildflower meadows. Interiors mix natural textures with understated luxury: Burlington showers, stone walls, linen drapes, oak floors and velvet armchairs. Outside, the Tom Stuart-Smith designed walled garden is both colourful and serene, adjacent to the working kitchen garden. Rooms from £235 per night, check availability at middletonlodge.co.uk The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells Just an hour from London and 10 minutes outside Tunbridge Wells, The Beacon is a secluded bolthole, offering a pretty wedding venue alongside its restaurant with rooms. There are six elegant rooms to choose from in the main house of the hotel (choose Yarrow for a round copper bathtub in a turret with views of the countryside). Our top pick is the seventh room that nestles below the main house, the Summer House, pictured below. A long, covered balcony offers 180-degree views of the countryside, with a two-way outdoor fireplace and large outdoor bathtub to enjoy. The thoughtful room design includes a king-sized bed, kitchenette, waterfall shower, Noble Isle toiletries and bifold doors to let the outside in and maximise those valley views. The radio, set to Classic FM as you walk in, sets the calming vibe. It's a secluded spot that would be idyllic all year round, offering a cosy hideaway in winter or peaceful sun trap in summer. Warm muffins and homemade cordial greet you on arrival, or head up to the Garden Bar for cocktails with a view. The Beacon Restaurant serves locally sourced, seasonal dishes in the heart of the main country house. There are special cocktails and a generous wine list featuring plenty of English options, such as Rathfinny sparkling wine. The amuse-bouche are particularly memorable, taking a nod from the restaurant's Tea Garden Lane address with savoury twists on classic afternoon tea dishes. Choose two or three courses, or go for the 'Feed Me' tasting menu to try a little bit of everything. In the morning, enjoy breakfast al fresco on the terrace – opt for a full English or a bacon and egg bap. Footpaths at the top of the driveway offer walks through the forest, or all the way to the Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells. Rooms start at £123 per night; check availability at thebeacon.co.uk or mrandmrssmith.com Fowlescombe Farm, Devon Tucked in the foothills of Dartmoor, Fowlescombe Farm is a quietly luxurious rural retreat where regenerative organic farming and contemporary comfort meet with a fork-to-table food ethos. Dating back to 1537, the estate’s original Victorian farmhouse and timeworn stone barns have been thoughtfully restored by director Caitlin Owens and her team. The result is an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with just 10 suites spread across four distinct buildings. Service is familial – expect to be welcomed as a friend, perhaps even by Basil, the head gardener’s gentle labrador. Daily menus are shaped by the land and seasons. The Refectory’s kitchen table seats 10 with a view of the chef at work. Expect dishes such as silky courgette and apple velouté, sirloin of shorthorn beef with tomato confit and a flavour-packed strawberry parfait with elderflower. Garden-to-glass gin and cocktail pairings add to the sense of place here. A weekly calendar of activities can be dipped into, with bespoke experiences on request. Guided yoga in the garden and sea swimming with a post-dip croissant and flask of tea left us grounded. Cookery courses, guided farm tours and animal feeding deepen the connection to land and food. You’ll want for nothing while at the farm but, if you’re out and about, don’t miss a pint of prawns at The Winking Prawn in Salcombe’s North Sands or a boat to The Millbrook Inn, reached by tidal causeway. The Meadow Suite is a standout room, offering uninterrupted views over wildflower fields and woodland from its private living room and vast bathroom. Graze on the elegant buffet of granola parfaits, pastries, smoked salmon and charcuterie before ordering a Full Fowlescombe: hash browns, sausages, black pudding, homemade smoky beans and eggs to your liking, alongside green juice of the day and excellent coffee. Rooms from £375 per night, check availability at fowlescombe.com or mrandmrsssmith.com The Maltings, Weybourne, North Norfolk The focal point of this recently renovated hotel is The Grain Store, an impressive two- storey structure with lively open kitchen where chefs work their magic with local produce. Norfolk platters, for two or more to share, celebrate both the nearby coast and land, with trend-aware touches like saffron cockles and coal-roasted flatbread; rib of 50-day salt chamber aged beef; and rack of slow-roasted pork with harissa roasted carrots. Breakfast is equally loyal to the region, proudly offering kippers smoked at Cley; Brancaster Staithe smoked salmon eggs royale; cheese and Norfolk charcuterie, and the option to carve your own ham. Design moves between classic in the bar with its studded leather chairs and wall sconce lighting to cosy in the games room with leaping deer Knight’s Tale wallpaper, to The Grain Store’s pared back bare walls with exposed beams, wildflower table arrangements and modern art. Bedrooms, in the main house and stable blocks, are simply decorated with botanic prints, vintage books and textured headboards adding interest. The on-site Bottle Shop is a welcome touch, offering a good selection of wine to enjoy in your room, over dinner for a small corkage or to take home. Doubles from £200, check availability at booking.com or themaltingsweybourne.com/ No 42 Guesthouse, Margate Margate’s recent reinvention has seen it become a popular destination for food lovers, with the opening of several independent restaurants such as Angela’s, Sète and Sargasso. Now this seaside hotel, part of the small Guesthouse group, also in Bath, York and Brighton, provides another reason to visit the Kent coastal resort – its Pearly Cow restaurant and rooftop terrace providing magnificent views across the channel. Pearly Cow focusses on seafood platters, fish and grills. Whitstable oysters and salt cod tacos make a good sharing starter, salt-aged steaks are prepared in the open kitchen, with whipped bone marrow butter and beef fat chips – this is the kind of easy food, prepared simply, you want to enjoy on the coast. The reasonable wine list includes a decent house cava. Breakfast is similarly classic, with local Brogdale sausages in the full English, alongside a decent eggs royale and organic porridge with honey and pistachio. Make use of the communal pantry for early morning tea, coffee and pastries, or late-night snacks – huge jars of traditional sweet shop treats like lemon sherbets and chocolate bars. Bedrooms are light and sunny, with neutral colours and fabrics, made contemporary with touches such as a record player and choice of vinyl, modern prints and beach-hut-shaped tea and coffee station. Bramley toiletries and power showers are very welcome after a day on the beach. In the lounge bar, Dreamland’s ferris wheel is referenced in its wall decorations, with raffia lightshades and touches of aqua adding beach house vibes. B&B from £170 per night. Check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Rectory, Cotswolds This honey-stone Georgian property sits on the border of the Cotswolds and makes the perfect spot for a weekend break. With 18 bedrooms, the rectory is small and perfectly appointed, with striking contemporary interiors touches that elevate the building’s original features and give a cool edge to its Cotswold charm. The outdoor pool is just a short walk across the beautifully kept garden, where guests can enjoy the extensive cocktail menu, and the sister pub is just a short walk over the green. The menu is filled with seasonal and local ingredients, with plenty of choice for those not eating meat. Hero ingredients are handled delicately to deliver elegant plates with real flair. We visited in early summer and enjoyed turbot terrine with tarragon mayonnaise and a lobster and scallop raviolo to start. Mains of nettle cappellacci with walnut sauce and Tamworth pork loin with bagna cauda were beautifully executed but almost eclipsed by an incredibly moreish side of courgettes with olives and marjoram. Breakfast is a generous affair, served in the orangery where a large table is laden with everything you’d expect from pastries to poached fruit. A menu of cooked plates includes favourites like the classic breakfast and Omelette Arnold Bennett as well as house specials like buttermilk waffles with whipped mascarpone and berries. Again, plenty of options for those not eating meat and all delivered with a relaxed but attentive service. Bed and breakfast from £170. Check availability on The Rectory website. The Victoria, Holkham Estate, Norfolk Countryside meets coast at The Vic. Perched on the edge of the grand Holkham Estate and a short stroll from the vast beauty of Holkham beach, you can explore the grounds on bike or foot, meet the resident deer, row a boat on the lake and take a guided tour of the hall. The Holkham Stories experience explains the estate’s history, current sustainable practices and its plans to be carbon neutral. The magnificent walled garden grows everything from grapes – which go to make wine at Burn Valley Vineyard – to herbs, fruit and veg which make their way into dishes at the hotel. Here the menu references its support for suppliers throughout the region, from hyper-local Arthur Howell butchers, Billy Ward’s lobster and Malt Coast Brewery in Wells-next-the-Sea to Fakenham’s Krusty Loaf bakery and Brancaster Bay shellfish. The dining room, with its forest-themed wallpaper, is a fitting setting for hearty dishes like Holkham venison curry and roasted pigeon with parmentier potatoes. The current family in residence’s healthy influence is seen in Lady Leicester’s superfood salad and healthy start breakfast, too. Rooms are reassuringly traditional, with classic striped fabrics, wooden dressing tables and chest of drawers, and Norfolk Natural Living toiletries. Doubles from £200. Check availability at booking.com or holkham.co.uk The Bell at Charlbury, Daylesford The newest of its stable of pubs with rooms, The Bell has all the hallmarks of a Daylesford bolthole: a commitment to local suppliers, largely British menu and cute motif (see the bell on plates, menus and staff T-shirts). The 17th-century building is home to a dozen cosy bedrooms, with a contemporary barn at the rear. There’s more to the pub than a smart market town boozer. Discreetly positioned behind the main building, The Barn serves weekend wood-fired feasting menus – rotisserie chicken, roasts, whole lobster. In summer there’s an additional dining space in The Bell’s acre of apple orchard. The pub’s small, welcoming dining room serves classics like a half pint of prawns, soups, salads, cheeseburger, fish pie, sticky toffee pudding and crumbles, with locally farmed ingredients. Daily specials range from the luxurious, including a chateaubriand for two or whole roasted brill, to a simple porchetta and apple sauce bap. Beers on tap are from family-owned Hook Norton and Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone, Daylesford’s own cider, gins and English sparkling wine. Exposed brick, embroidered bedspreads and reclaimed wooden furniture create a homely, rustic atmosphere. And four posters, red stripes, and crisp blue and white checks feel very British. Rooms start at £194 per night, based on two adults sharing. Check availability on its website. The Bath Priory, Bath In a leafy part of Bath sits this impressive Georgian house, whose old-fashioned hospitality appeals to all generations. Behind the ivy-clad building is a vast, not-so-secret garden, featuring a spectacular cedar of Lebanon tree, croquet lawn, sunken pool and kitchen garden growing herbs, edible flowers, fruit and veg destined for the dining room. Reassuringly classic, bedrooms are designed for comfort and relaxation, with period furniture and florals and tartan adding warmth to neutral décor. Chef Jauca Catalin’s imaginative menu celebrates seasonal, local produce with some surprising Asian touches: a crab starter is teamed with lime confit, mooli and chilli peanut caramel; wild turbot is a complex dish of scallop mousse, caviar and miso and kombu tea. Three courses at dinner can be matched with wines from Burgundy and California, and an exciting Château de L’Ou L’Ove Blanc from Roussillon. At breakfast there is a traditional approach with eggs royal, benedict and florentine, alongside the full English and a fluffy omelette Arnold Bennett. Take a martini in front of the fire in the drawing room in colder months, or afternoon tea on the wisteria-covered terrace in spring for a quintessentially British experience in every season. You can also order a picnic hamper to enjoy in the gardens, with a bottle of English sparkling wine. Rooms start at £275 per night including breakfast, based on two sharing. Check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Coworth Park, Berkshire Contemporary meets classic in a charming mash-up of design that references the rural location. A four poster is fashioned to look like a tree, halls feature dressers filled with plant pots, and huge floral displays and indoor plants abound. Showers are powerful, and some suites feature free-standing copper baths. Fun horsey references – including two dramatic portraits that dominate the bar – are a firm nod to the hotel’s equestrian links. The renowned Guards Polo Club is here (guests can book lessons in advance) and horse riding is offered. Rooms are in the Stables or Mansion House, so there’s a real sense of being in the Berkshire countryside, even while less than an hour from London. Explore the grounds, where there are hidden lily ponds, fountains and sculptures, as well as champagne pods in the warmer months. Woven by Adam Smith is all that’s good about modern, high-end British cooking – fiercely seasonal, celebrating homegrown ingredients, imaginative combinations, clever plating and a passionate, young team from Britain and beyond. Chefs, including Adam, are highly visible, prepping canapés in the restaurant’s anteroom – which doubles as cellar – and explaining each course at the table. Isle of Wight tomatoes, Devon eel and Cornish turbot speak to Adam’s careful sourcing, while A5 wagyu, oscietra, lobster and truffle add a luxurious touch. There’s also a strong focus on English wine. Rooms start at £605 for bed and breakfast, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath Few visitors to Bath see beyond the façade of the magnificent Royal Crescent, the city’s most impressive landmark. Fewer guess that No 16 extends into beautiful hotel gardens with lavender path, a haven for birds and butterflies where afternoon tea, cocktails and light lunches are taken. Chef Martin Blake balances simplicity with on-trend touches. Montagu’s Mews’ evening tasting menu starts with tiny canapés of Bath Blue cheese and avocado mousse with cucumber and borage. Then shokupan, a soft Japanese-style milk bread with Somerset’s Ivy Farm butter and smoked roe studded with salmon ikura. Hollandaise for beef tartare is spiked with Bath Ale and IP8 (beer) vinegar. A forced rhubarb dessert is softened with olive oil and vanilla. The comprehensive wine list includes confident choices such as a barrel-aged assyrtiko. The hotel’s five-star spa includes a heated pool with sauna and steam, tranquil treatment rooms and a small garden where you can relax after a swim, still in your robe if you like. Rooms are built for comfort and luxury, some with terraces and views on to the gardens or over the sweeping lawns of the Crescent. Fireplaces in bedrooms may be filled with decorative pinecones, modern art sits alongside vintage portraits and busts, and everywhere the outside is brought in with plants and floral displays. Rooms from £300 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Cowley Manor, Cotswolds Experimental Group, the team behind some of the greatest bars, restaurants and hotels across the world, has teamed up with chef Jackson Boxer in this contemporary country hotel. Jackson can take an unfussy British cut like a Tamworth pork chop and elevate it with a French sauce charcutière (onions, wine, cornichons, mustard); pasta sounds simple but tastes superb (tagliolini with smoked butter and black pepper); and a tarte flambée on the lunch menu sees spelt flatbread topped with Rollright cheese and truffle. The cocktail bar has a clubby feel, in which Experimental’s finest create the classics and their own concoctions, from gin and elderflower-based Saint Germain de Prés, a nod to the group’s French roots, to Horlicks Milk Punch which references a former owner of the manor’s malted drink business. Bar snacks include Old Spot croquettes and cheesy puffs made with local single gloucester, good with a glass of English sparkling, and caviar and crisps is a must order in these decadent surroundings. It’s a curious and comfortable mix of 70s-style glamour, traditional wood panelling and striking bright lacquered furniture in a 17th-century manor, with a laid-back front of house team determined to make your stay cocktail-fuelled and cosy. Rooms start at £329 per night for bed and breakfast, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Glenmorangie House, Scotland Boldly beautiful, this 17th century house looking out over the stunning Moray Firth has been given a maximalist makeover, with a creative Highlands menu to match. With only six bedrooms and three cottages, and warmly attentive staff who’ll soon know how you take your tea, the stay here is designed to feel more house party than hotel. The dining room has one large table, cocktails are taken together before eating, and evening entertainment in the form of music, mixology or stargazing is arranged to make the most of the company. The interiors, by designer Russell Sage, tell the story of Glenmorangie whisky with maximalist styling, sensory interpretation and more than the occasional surprise. Head chef John Wilson creates Glenmorangie food pairings, dishes that are enhanced by, and in turn enhance the flavours of, each whisky. There are all the Scottish treats you’d hope for, with rich haggis en croûte in a velvety whisky sauce. Surrounded by pristine Scottish waters you can expect fresh langoustine, lobsters and scallops, too. Your bacon, sausages and black pudding for breakfast travel just three miles from a local artisan, and some of the fruit, vegetables and herbs are picked outside the dining room window in the handsome walled garden. Thanks to the carefully planned design and the eclectic collection of local arts and crafts, there are new details to discover wherever you turn. Seating in the snug mixes traditional tartan upholstery with bright plain seat pads, antique bud vases are displayed with different seed heads and lichen like prized blooms. For more Scotland inspiration, check out our full guide to the best Scottish hotels. Rooms from £1,347 for three nights, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Gallivant, Camber Sands Tucked away just behind the dunes of Camber Sands near Rye, The Gallivant is a cosy bolthole that offers a grown-up seaside break (the hotel is over-16s only) with a relaxed Hamptons beach-house vibe. The Luxury Garden rooms are airy and peaceful with muted beachy painted wood décor, soft throws and well-stocked bookshelves. Doors open onto a coastal garden where you can enjoy coffee in the morning. Sign up for the Complete Gallivant and everything is taken care of, from all-day elevenses in the luxurious snug area to a pre-dinner flask of freshly shaken cocktails to drink in the dunes (or the bath if the weather is bad), a three-course dinner, sleepy tea delivery at bedtime, a morning yoga class and a generous breakfast spread to wake up to. The Gallivant is now also home to Harry’s, a restaurant which continues the hotel’s chic coastal theme and adds precise, pared-back French cookery from ex-Bibendum head chef Matthew Harris. The menu spotlights seasonal produce in classic dishes such as crisp spring vegetable salad with creamy goat’s curd, and delicate smoked eel with oozy soft-boiled egg, rye bread and peppy celeriac remoulade. Mains continue the theme of refined simplicity: sturdy, juicy Romney Marsh Barnsley chop is winningly matched with earthy mushroom duxelle, asparagus, crisp pomme frites and a creamy sauce paloise – a variation of béarnaise flavoured with mint rather than tarragon, and a bull’s-eye match with lamb. The Gallivant sits in the heart of wine country – a location that informs much of the hotel’s offering, from English wine served every day at 5pm in the bar to a lengthy list of homegrown bottles (we sip a chilled Albourne skin contact white for an aperitif with stunning beach views, and enjoy a juicy, crunchy Artelium pinot noir from the South Downs at dinner) and exclusive wine experiences in partnership with the nearby Gusbourne Estate. Of these the most impressive is the Ultimate English Wine Experience, which includes transport, a private tour of the vineyards, tank and barrel samplings, and tutored tastings of rare library and limited-edition wines. The Complete Gallivant (for 2) from £375 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Rose, Deal The Rose, an eight-bedroom hotel, is all that’s good about seaside weekends. It sits three minutes from a beautiful beach, and bang in the centre of a town that’s known for its cute vintage shops and, increasingly, decent food scene. Guests and locals come for well-made cocktails (tip: try Tommy’s smoky mezcal margarita), imaginative wines and local beers, served in a sheltered garden when the weather is good. A small menu of classics such as mac ’n’ cheese and schnitzel is offered alongside dishes that speak to the kitchen’s skill and knowledge. Try sourdough with churned yeast butter; smoked beef tartare with tarragon emulsion; roast saddle of hoggett with ancient grains; and Nuno’s olive oil cake, named after some-time collaborator, Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes. There’s a vintage vibe throughout the place. Expect mismatched floral plates that remind you of your stylish granny, board games in the bar, pops of neon in the courtyard chairs and fabrics, and local art. Rooms are cosy and colourful, and stocked with books. Some also feature record players, antique sinks and roll-top baths. There’s help-yourself tea, coffee and whisky on the landing, too. Complimentary tea and cake for guests in the afternoon is a friendly touch, as is name-checking local suppliers such as Black Pig sausages on the breakfast menu. From £167 for bed and breakfast, check availability at booking.com South Lodge, Horsham This Sussex countryside hotel with three restaurants is making its intention to attract food lovers clear, from the classic three courses at Camellia to the ambitious tasting menu at The Pass and relaxed vibes at Botanica. The latter, with huge, sunny deck overlooking a natural swimming pond, is housed in the modern spa with a plant-focussed menu, and is a window into the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Brunch is a highlight and goes well beyond pancakes and prosecco. Try poached eggs with spiced green harissa; spanakopita parcels with mojo sauce and yogurt; and rhubarb bircher muesli with crisp ginger rice and stem ginger. Juices are blended in-house and include active botanical tinctures exclusive to the hotel for an extra energy boost. Natural interiors of rattan, wood and stoneware add to the soothing atmosphere. South Lodge also has wine credentials – its south-facing chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier vineyards, planted in collaboration with Ridgeview, will produce high-quality English sparkling wines. From £465 for bed, breakfast and spa access, check availability at booking.com or spabreaks.com Boys Hall, Ashford Only an hour's train ride from London, this revived Grade II listed Jacobean manor is home to a soaring oak-beamed restaurant and nine rooms kitted with antique finds. We stayed in Romney, one of the super-suites located in the eaves of the house and reachable via its own miniature staircase. The lofty space is enriched with dark sage walls, burnt orange cushions and bamboo furniture. The focal point – a freestanding roll-top bath – sits in front of the original stone mullion window and overlooks the front lawn. Rooms also feature super king beds, Dualit coffee pod machine and enviable toiletries from Pelegrims, made with grape extracts from nearby Westwell vineyard. TVs are swapped for Roberts radios; for entertainment, pick up a board game, weekend paper or magazine from the panelled lower sitting room. If you’re feeling peckish, the honesty bar is stocked with treats such as Tunnock’s Caramels. For extra pampering, pre-book a massage in the comfort of your own bedroom on a pop-up massage bed – Swedish, sports or deep tissue massage, plus various facials, are all available. The dining room – crafted from reclaimed local green oak and stone – puts Kentish produce at the forefront. Expect a menu of luxury comfort food: smoked Ashmore and speck croquettes with saffron mayo; 30-day dry-aged rib eye steak; cookie dough with salted caramel ice cream. There is also homemade cakes, served with locally sourced teas and coffee, available in the cosy lounges, or retire to the wood-panelled pub serving Kentish ales and bar snacks. From £190, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or boys-hall.com Fort Road Hotel, Margate One of Margate’s iconic seafront buildings opposite Turner Contemporary gallery has been restored to its former life as a hotel. In a nod to its history, sepia photographs and postcards of the seaside town in its bathing holiday heyday line the burnt orange walls. Design is at the forefront throughout, with pieces from artists with Kentish ties and vintage Scandinavian furniture (Danish teak mirrors, beech chairs, rosewood tables) giving each room its own unique character. Bold-hued tiles adorn neat bathrooms, kitted out with seaweed-infused products from local spa Haeckels. Local connections extend to the food and drink options, served in the smart, intimate ground-floor restaurant complete with flickering fire to warm up the colder months. Choose between a Kentish wine from the likes of Simpsons vineyard or a local gin (Greensand Ridge is herbaceous while Dockyard has notes of citrus and spice). Silky, thick-cut trout is lifted with Hinxden Farm Dairy crème fraîche. Crostini are topped with salty smoked anchovy slivers and tapenade or creamy garlic cannellini beans. A huge pork chop is sautéed in parsley mustard sauce, while skate wing comes bathed in beurre noisette and brown shrimp. Breakfast is a real treat, with bacon sarnies offering a satisfying crunch courtesy of hot baguettes from Oast Bakery down the road (that also bakes divine cinnamon buns). Small touches take the hospitality to the next level. A brown paper bag of homemade cookies awaits in the room, best enjoyed with a sherry-laced hot chocolate on the rooftop while watching the sunset over the rugged coastline. Doubles from £140, check availability at fortroadhotel.com or booking.com Grace and Savour, Birmingham A restaurant with rooms within the grounds of contemporary hotel Hampton Manor, Grace & Savour is a sustainability-first operation run by chef David and front-of-house Anette Taylor. It has its own kitchen garden, a tour of which is offered on arrival. A handful of rooms within the walled garden have a pared-back Scandi sensibility and enticing views of chefs prepping dinner in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Fifteen well-balanced courses reflect David’s commitment to seasonality, regenerative farming and animal welfare, all as beautiful as they are delicious. But spartan it is not. Jerusalem artichoke comes in its deep-fried skin, and tastes buttery – like the best baked potato you ever had – topped with small artichoke discs with pickled bay leaf gel adding extra interest. A one-bite venison tartare is served on the cutest, crisp base. Burnt leeks in a rich emulsion are given extra welly with beef garum. Caviar is in evidence. Chatting with the chefs from your counter seat or when they deliver dishes to the table is part of the fun, as is the wine pairing which focusses on lesser-known wines, many of which are made in small batches. Breakfast overlooking the garden is three relaxed courses with juices and coffee: charcuterie, cheese and apples; yogurt and honey; sausage, spinach cooked in chicken fat and mustard, and a wonderful cinnamon bun. The industrial-style steel-framed panelled windows and corrugated tables and headboards are softened by muted tones of clay and earth to give each bedroom a soothing feel. A huge bathtub and a generous bowl of bath salts demands to be used. Walk-in showers feature Birmingham-based Harvest Skincare. In the restaurant, tableware by a local ceramicist is made from clay sourced from the estate. From £350 for dinner, bed and breakfast; hamptonmanor.com/grace-savour The Fox at Oddington Daylesford's pared-back aesthetic is tempered here with a light-hearted foxy theme on everything from topiary to tableware. Its airy bar and Saddle Room is built around a lively open kitchen where chefs knock out the kind of relaxed, seasonal food we could eat every day. Sustainability is built into all Daylesford does, most visibly in the pub’s living roof, planted with wildflowers and herbs, and acting as a nectar source for bees. Chef Alan Gleeson’s menu of modern classics encourages sharing, from a half-pint of prawns and some Daylesford cheese to the full three courses. Small plates including tuna tartare with soy and ginger, and heritage tomatoes teamed with feta and mint are a promising start. A decent, tender pork chop comes with greens and apple; a simple plaice with seaweed butter and Ratte potatoes. Flatbread with lardo, anchovy and salsa verde is a must-try, as is Korean fried chicken. There’s usually a fruit tart and a dark chocolate mousse with pistachio biscotti. At breakfast, The Fox is flooded with light. Oversized plants and artfully placed saddles all echo the Gloucestershire location. Omelette Arnold Bennett, a rich haddock and cheese concoction, is served with hollandaise in a mini skillet; french toast with poached apricots is equally luxurious, as are breakfast brioche rolls. Wood-beamed rooms are decorated with hunting scenes and local wildlife from local artists. Sheepskins, woollen rugs and quilted blankets add a cosy touch to crisp white bedding. Some rooms include a free-standing bath, showers are powerful and fragrant with sage and geranium Bamford botanical products. B&B from £225 per night. thefoxatoddington.com Leonardslee, West Sussex Where else can you take a walk though woodlands, join feeding time for baby wallabies, enjoy a vineyard picnic, follow a sculpture trail and then settle in for an evening of imaginative food and wine pairings? At Leonardslee House, part of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens on which the UK’s first pinotage vineyard is planted, you can be as active or as laid back as you like. Inspired by the South African owner’s appreciation of Cape Winelands experiences, it’s a grown-up playground centred around the very best food and wine. Restaurant Interlude offers a tasting menu featuring ingredients from the estate. Each dish is presented with a card showing a map of where it was grown, foraged or raised. Chef Jean Delport’s technical skill makes for a unique experience with playfully named dishes such as “rabbit eats carrot” and the visually arresting “chef’s pasture raised egg with crispy (chicken) foot”. There are 18 well-paced courses, a clever balance of South African-inspired dishes and the more local, including honey from Leonardslee’s beehives with salted caramel. Dishes can be paired with wines, notably those from the owner’s estate near Cape Town. Book in advance for a wine tasting to try wines from family-run Benguela Cove Lagoon in Hermanus. You can also take a tour of the pinotage vineyards, which will produce their first wine next year. With input from interior designers including Nina Campbell and Sanderson, bedrooms have muted, tranquil tones with feature wallpapers and textiles, giving a contemporary feel to a classic English country house. Rooms from £444, check availability at booking.com The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds This restaurant with rooms in the Cotswolds village of Clanfield is committed to cocktails, conviviality and the restoration of calm. From the jolly, red-striped canopies on its terrace to the promise of gin recovery kits in its 19 bedrooms, The Double Red Duke exudes a delightful sense of playfulness. Start with a Barbecue Pineapple cocktail in the bar: a zesty blend of mezcal, pineapple and lime. In the airy Garden Room share starters of apple-glazed bacon ribs with fennel slaw; charred squid; and smoky flatbreads. Larger plates include piri-piri chicken, with nostalgic desserts of sticky toffee and treacle tart to finish. Book at the chef’s counter for ringside seats as your seafood or steaks are prepared over coals, on the spit or in the clay-fired oven. In the morning, this becomes a breakfast buffet with cinnamon buns and pastries from local bakery Blake’s, along with sourdough, marmalade, honey, cheese and cold meats. The chefs will also prepare overnight oats and a much-Instagramed breakfast muffin with Ogleshield cheese, egg, bacon and sausage. Co-owner Georgie Pearlman has put her heart and soul into creating an atmosphere that’s soothing and inspiring. There are modern takes on traditional bathroom floor tiles, oversized patterns on textured wallpapers and simple floral displays. Ask the Duke’s team about local walks – wellies provided. Visit the converted shepherd’s hut to enjoy a beauty treatment or massage, and if you loved the Marmite and cheese breakfast rolls, take a three-minute stroll over to Blake’s to buy some to take home. Rooms from £230 per night; check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Artist Residence, Bristol The unstoppable Artist Residence team has restored a Georgian townhouse, previously an old boot factory and organised squat, right by Bristol’s eclectic city centre. Plenty of the building’s original features remain intact, including wooden beams, pretty cornicing and a dramatic skylight. As with the group's existing properties, the hotel puts the spotlight on local artists, with pieces in all colours, shapes and sizes turning the dilapidated walls into contemporary galleries. Rooms range from compact but charming, thanks to original arch windows and ensuite bathrooms with Bramley products and rainfall showers, to larger feature rooms. In The Lookout, a spiral staircase connects the bedroom to a cosy sitting area and large wrap around balcony with views of colourful terraced houses in Montpelier and beyond. When the star-studded guest list comes to visit, they tend to stay in the two suites, both boasting quirky seating areas, spacious bathrooms with rolltop baths and five large sash windows that look out onto leafy Portland Square. The Boot Factory is open all day, every day, with plenty of cosy corners, a brick-wall backed bar and a small terrace strung with light bulbs. For breakfast, order colour-themed smoothies alongside sweetcorn fritters, Turkish eggs or indulgent banana bread French toast. Later in the day, pick from the pizza menu or a selection of tapas-style dishes such as chargrilled watermelon and feta, salt and pepper squid with saffron aïoli and roast carrots with carrot purée and hazelnuts. Treat yourself to a pastry or two from Farro, a popular bakery round the corner. Silky, bourbon-laced Colombian panela tart, raisin-studded babka swirls and famous soft serve topped with crunchy croissant honey crisps. Mooch up to colourful Picton Street, stopping on the way to spot Banksy's murals, for Italian ingredient treasure trove C&T Licata & Son, local coffee hang out The Bristolian and neighbourhood trattoria Bianchis. Discover more Bristol food and drinks picks here. Doubles from £140, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Eastbury, Sherbourne Slow down, de-stress and be cosseted at this character-packed hotel in the Dorset market town. Guests can stay in the main Georgian townhouse, Potting Shed rooms in the walled garden or in Eastbury Cottage, with each accommodation offering laid-back vibes and a homely atmosphere. The hotel’s small but deluxe garden spa comes with hot tubs and a steam room for fully-fledged relaxing, or guests can venture outside the grounds to explore the town’s food and craft markets and Sherborne Castle (and sample The Castle’s wines in the Eastbury’s bar for good measure). On the menu, Chef Matthew Street works with local suppliers and some further afield to ensure his menus offer the best ingredients: Devon crab from Paignton is served with a chilled cucumber and wasabi soup for starters, followed by indulgent and satisfying mains including Japanese braised pork belly with miso broth and burrata and ricotto agnolotti with parmesan crisp. Alternatively, for a more intimate evening there’s the option to book the garden pod, a unique glass snug looking out across the lawn, furnished with plump cushions, soft blankets and ambient lighting. Interior designer Kathleen Fraser balances muted tones of pale blue and green with colourful prints and interesting textures. The new Eastbury Cottage adjacent to the hotel boasts three delightfully cosy bedrooms, one with a free-standing bath as well as a separate modern shower room. Standout features include the inglenook fireplace, low beams, a very well-equipped kitchen, and sunny private garden with hot tub and dining area. Doubles from £195, check availability at booking.com Heckfield Place, Heckfield The lines between inside and out are beautifully blurred at this Hampshire estate, where guests can bask in the natural surroundings and enjoy food from the hotel’s biodynamic, organic farm and orchards. Saddleback pigs and chickens lead a happy life here, and a micro-dairy provides the house with milk, cream, yogurt and butter from Guernsey cows. The menu is overseen by culinary director Skye Gyngell (chef-patron at Spring at Somerset House) with two restaurants serving what’s good to eat right now from what’s grown on the estate and Fern Varrow, a biodynamic farm. At Marle you’ll find simple, seasonal dishes such as lamb shoulder with anchovy, and stuffed farm courgettes. During summer, meals are served on the Italian terrace overlooking the gardens and woodlands, with fire pits and sheepskins to keep you cosy on chillier nights. Imaginative breakfasts include bircher muesli and roasted rhubarb, bubble and squeak with fried eggs, and buckwheat crêpes with honey butter. Hearth, open for dinner and lunch on Saturday, focusses on fire cooking with lobster, sirloin or grilled farm veg. In line with Heckfield’s biodynamic ethos, cocktails in the Moon Bar are influenced by the lunar phases and made with unique tinctures and bitters. Try turmeric jingle (chamomile gin, millet, lemon and cardoon liquor, turmeric bitters) or cherry moon (sour cherry spirit, lapsang souchong bitters, egg, lemon and lime). Rooms are both luxurious and plastic-free, with headboards made by local craftspeople. Interiors focus on muted shades and natural materials such as rush matting, while dried flowers and plants bring the outdoors in. Doubles from £650, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Beaverbrook, Surrey A curiously brilliant mix of traditional British and modern Japanese makes this character-packed Surrey hotel a playground for food lovers. Once the home of Winston Churchill’s Minister of Aircraft Production, newspaper magnate Lord Beaverbrook, the hotel’s aviation theme is evident, from the Spitfire at the entrance, to vintage photos and artworks throughout the house. Japanese Grill serves exquisite sushi, sashimi and Josper-grilled specialities, including charcoaled wagyu. The eight-course tasting menu includes popcorn shrimp with ponzu mayo, scallop ceviche, nigiri topped with Kentish ants (which add a wonderful citrussy kick), black cod and beef tenderloin, and a chocolate flowerpot with nasturtium – a nod to Beaverbrook’s commitment to growing its own. The estate’s relaxed The Garden House restaurant is a short stroll from the main house, reached via the kitchen garden, where chefs harvest leaves, veg and herbs. The menu here is British with Italian influences, such as pici with Cornish crab and crispy polenta squid. Nearby Albury Vineyard produces the house English sparkling wine, which is best enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the gardens and Surrey Hills countryside. Each of the luxurious bedrooms in the main house are named for Beaverbrook’s illustrious guests – Churchill, the Kennedys and Liz Taylor, to name a few – and decorated in an appropriate style, from muted masculine tones and bold stripes and graphic tiling, to delicate floral fabrics. In The Garden House, wicker and wood provide a neutral backdrop for bright glasses and cruet sets, and the botanical prints and patterned plates that line the walls. Doubles from £545, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or beaverbrook.co.uk Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond Escape the city at this riverside bolthole, converted from two Georgian townhouses with a literary history. Though compact, the hotel has plenty of nooks to enjoy a peaceful moment. French windows open onto a pretty terrace for afternoon tea, and the country-style drawing room is a beautiful spot to sip a mezcal jalapeño negroni. Breakfast is taken in the library, where squishy teal blue banquettes sweep beneath shelves lines with hundreds of Penguin paperbacks. The 15 rooms, each named after a Michael Field’s poem (the pseudonym for the literary couple who previously lived in the building), are decorated in luxurious mid-century style, with touches including Hebridean wool throws, stacks of vintage books tied up with string, sensual LA-EVA toiletries in the marble bathrooms, and artisan crystals for well-being. Book a river room for views of the Thames, eye-catching Catchpole & Rye copper bath tubs and to avoid traffic noise from the roadside options. Doubles from £194, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com House of Joro, Sheffield At this boutique Nordic-inspired nook, with just four luxurious rooms, enjoy expertly curated tasting plates with access to a communal kitchen space and lounge where you can fix a pre-dinner drink at the ‘honesty bar’. We recommend a seasonal G&T featuring Joro’s own Natural Gin made with foraged botanicals. Later, relax into a plush king-sized bed or slide into a bubble bath in your freestanding tub. Joro’s restaurant is a 5-minute walk away in Kelham Island, once the heart Sheffield’s steel industry, now a buzzing food and drink hub inside a series of upcycled shipping containers. Trendy dark walls and low lighting create a relaxed atmosphere where you can experience mouth-watering bites like a Montgomery cheddar & onion croustade, moving onto a beautifully umami mushroom porridge, then a whipped white chocolate and blackberry dessert. For more flavour exploration, try the paired drinks menu, featuring exciting wines from across the globe and a mixture of ciders, spirits and beers. The next morning, your three-tiered trolley breakfast will be delivered to your room, so save some room for fresh croissants, smoked salmon on sourdough and muesli with fresh berries. If you need a dose of caffeine, brew a cafetière of the complimentary Forge Coffee, roasted in Sheffield. Book an eight-course dinner bed & breakfast stay, Wednesday-Saturday, from £225 for two people for a double room. This includes a half-bottle of Nyetimber sparkling wine to toast your arrival. Doubles from £225, check availability at jororestaurant.co.uk For more local recommendations, read our guide to the best restaurants in Sheffield. The Mitre Hampton Court, Surrey Located directly opposite Hampton Court itself, The Mitre Hotel couldn’t be better placed for a historical weekend away. The hotel’s main restaurant is 1665, a cleverly designed moody brasserie where every table offers river views. The menu features generous portions of British and Italian classics, including burrata and chicken Milanese, plus surprisingly standout crispy cauliflower popcorn for a starting snack. Cocktails are top-notch: try the G&T with unique Big Smoke Rhubarb & Pink Lemonade gin. Alongside 1665, the hotel’s Coppernose is a buzzy bar for evening cocktails and breakfast the next day. The short breakfast menu covers all bases, from a tropical smoothie bowl and sweetcorn fritters to a full English complete with wild boar sausages. For more interesting foodie experiences, try afternoon tea served in the airy Orangery or spend a sunny evening on the waterfront terrace, with the Whispering Angel bar to keep you topped up with bubbly as you watch the sunset over Hampton Court Bridge. Each of the 36 stylish rooms are individually and colourfully designed (don’t miss the cosy library complete with a jukebox). For a true treat, the luxurious Catherine Parr suite has a four-poster bed and freestanding roll-top copper bath in the bedroom (although it does face the road). Extra touches like complimentary wine and freshly baked shortbread hanging on your door add to the luxurious hideaway feel. Rooms start from £200, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent Just three miles from Canterbury sits this carefully converted Jacobean mansion. Style-wise, it ticks every Pig box: a focus on the kitchen garden, a relaxed restaurant and homely but luxurious bedrooms. The Grade II-listed building at the hotel’s heart, once bright pink in places (it was a popular nightclub in its heyday, hosting the likes of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd), was expertly restored during a £5.5million makeover. An imposing elm staircase takes centre-stage, while cosy snugs are great places to sit and ponder, with huge open fireplaces, gnarled wooden panelling and Persian rugs. The bar, refreshingly bedecked with female portraits, is all mahogany and maroon and, as with all Pig bars, is generously stocked with multi-coloured cocktail glasses that shimmer on window shelves. Some bedrooms benefit from original doors, four poster beds and freestanding baths, though all have mini bars stuffed with Kentish treats (grab a bag of crisps, made with Canterbury’s very own Ashmore farmhouse cheese). You can also stay in a hop pickers’ hut – a romantic log cabin for two, set on stilts in the water meadows near the kitchen garden – or a family-friendly two-bedroom lodge, complete with kitchen. Pigs don’t stand on ceremony – there are no white tablecloths or leather-bound menus here. Instead, expect cheery waiting staff and a dining room that wouldn’t look out of place at a posh garden centre. The restaurant’s biggest commitment is to locality: what can’t be grown in the kitchen garden, which you can see from your table, is mainly sourced from within a 25-mile radius, including Kentish Pip apples and wild meat from Mallards Farm. Breakfast is a feast: try dairy-free banana bread, stewed home-grown rhubarb, and nut-free muesli with coconut yogurt. Or, indulge in The Full Pig-Out, made special by the addition of zero-mile mushrooms and poached eggs from the hotel’s hens (they keep quails, too). Doubles from £210. Check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or thepighotel.com Babington House, Somerset The original cool country house hotel, Babington, was one of the very first Soho House Group properties to open. Tucked away down an avenue of trees outside Frome (check out our foodie guide to the best places to eat and drink in Frome here), in the Somerset countryside, the honey-stone 18th century manor house is part members’ club, part hotel (it’s open to all but there are reduced rates for members). All of the hotel’s 33 rooms are atmospheric and beautifully, if femininely, styled. For groups of friends, the old gatekeeper’s lodge, at the end of the main drive, is a self-contained, three-bedroom cottage. In all the rooms, the detail is the impressive thing: full-length mirrors come as standard,, chargers are provided for laptops and phones, hot water bottles are supplied for chillier nights, full-size Cowshed toiletries in the bathrooms and homemade chocolate chip cookies in the minibar. Entertainment is in plentiful supply. Within the extensive grounds, you’ll find a gym, two swimming pools (one indoors, under a beautiful timber-trussed ceiling, the other a sleek outdoor number fringed by a giant L-shaped green-and-white striped lounger), tennis courts, a football pitch, croquet lawn, cricket pitch, beautiful sage-green, leather-seated bikes to borrow, a cinema and a sauna, hammam and steam rooms. Overlooking the extensive kitchen garden there’s also a full-service Cowshed spa (book a marhalika massage, an intense but deeply relaxing and unusual treatment that blends Swedish and Thai methods – think sports massage mixed with acupressure). For dinner, book a window table in the main restaurant, the Orangery, and enjoy sweeping views of the lawn and the lake through towering Georgian windows while you eat. If you want a more casual supper, head to the bar to snack on spiced cauliflower fritters and Scotch eggs or sit down to imaginative salads (Castlemead chicken with spiced chickpeas and harissa yoghurt), wood-fired pizzas and pub favourites. The sprawling breakfast buffet is not to be missed, and nor is the complimentary afternoon tea spread out in the deli each afternoon – impossible to resist. Check rates and availability at mrandmrssmith.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Black Friday hotel deals
From country estates with hydro pools to an elegant sanctuary in the capital, here's our round-up of the UK's best spa hotels, all with excellent on-site restaurants
Looking to treat yourself to a spa break? Want to find the best spa hotels with restaurants? Take a look at our pick of spa breaks for food lovers, with picks from hunting lodges in Hampshire to five-star mansions with high-tech wellness in Wiltshire. For more travel inspiration, check out our curation of the best romantic hotels, seaside staycations, boutique hotels in the UK or best European hidden gem hotels for something further afield. Looking for something more out of the ordinary? Find out the best unique UK holiday cottages for foodies, the best hotel baths worth travelling for in the UK or see our extra special best honeymoons for foodies around the world. Best UK spa hotels for food lovers The Retreat at Elcot Park, Berkshire The Retreat at Elcot Park perfectly balances quirky British charm with easy-going luxury. It’s a place where old meets new, refined meets relaxed, and the familiar feels freshly imagined. Just under an hour from London by train, it’s an ideal countryside escape for city dwellers in need of a reset. Food is at the heart of The Retreat’s appeal, with two standout restaurants on site. 1772 Brasserie champions seasonal British cooking, reinventing comforting classics with flair. The Fowey mussels with crusty bread are a must-order; the Somersby cider sauce is so good you’ll want to mop up every drop. For something with a livelier, more social feel, Yü brings a pan-Asian twist to the Berkshire countryside. Think sharing plates of silky black miso cod, spiced aubergine and jewel-like nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls that are as beautiful as they are delicious. The hotel’s interiors are a joyful mixture of country manor elegance and playful, home-from-home comfort. Expect bold prints, statement art and plenty of cosy corners to sink into. Thoughtful touches run throughout, from the help-yourself pantry, stocked with nostalgic boiled sweets and chilled soft drinks, to the charming Signet Moments that punctuate each stay. There’s The Signet Biscuit Tin, The 4 pm Pour and Nightcap & Natter – three small rituals designed to make guests feel part of something special. The spa experience The spa offers facilities including Himalayan salt, sauna, hydrotherapy pool, aroma steam room, Matrix gym, salt floatation tank, outdoor infinity pool, tennis court, wood fire hot tubs and cold plunge tubs as well as outdoor yoga studio. Treat yourself to a spa day from as little as £40, including breakfast for up to £20 at the brasserie. Rooms from £225, check availability at retreatelcotpark.com or <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100565798-11795693?sid=olivemagazine-226923&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Faid%3D311076%26label%3Dhotel-122197-gb-pi0o4kjac3XKlhEr326aAgS630456372136%253Apl%253Ata%253Ap1%253Ap2%253Aac%253Aap%253Aneg%253Afi%253Atikwd-2405229069580%253Alp9045946%253Ali%253Adec%253Adm%253Appccp%253DUmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YVujEjbMrKBVEQO8hCDrg-c%26gclid%3DCjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-g416FREtEJuR05mr9_ZBCSo3XLs5TPow1AGuHIgMiSIZnJFL4L1E7RoC2d8QAvD_BwE%26highlighted_hotels%3D122197%26redirected%3D1%26city%3D-2603950%26hlrd%3Dno_dates%26source%3Dhotel%26expand_sb%3D1%26keep_landing%3D1%26sid%3D44cb1e6fe3102547f20b823525af4b9c" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">booking.com Saltmoore, Whitby, North Yorkshire Saltmoore is an Insta-ready wellness retreat with strong food credentials on the characterful North Yorkshire coast. This sprawling coastal chic hotel is owned by Love Island alumnus Montana Brown, with food overseen by local chef Tommy Banks of the Michelin-starred The Black Swan at Oldstead. The décor is true to the surrounding landscape – airy, seabreezy spaces and coastal blues, plus botanical notes and earthy, floral colours in ode to the nearby North York Moors, all served up with subtle flamboyance. Rooms are decadently furnished – in The Beach House suites include a rolltop bath in the main room, waterfall shower and opulent king-size bed. In the larger rooms there’s space for additional beds to accommodate families, and pets are welcome in lots of the spaces. Breakfast is a combination of help yourself patisserie, smoothies, cereal and toast, with an additional hot menu from the kitchen featuring pancakes, chorizo shakshuka, eggs served many ways and a full English. For dinner, the smart Brasserie has a Banks-approved selection of modern European bistro dishes and plenty of local fish. In the more casual, family-friendly Beach House the pizzeria has a solid, minimalist menu with Yorkshire charcuterie toppings and signature Saltmoore tiramisu for after. The spa’s Wellness Café serves nourishing salads and colourful smoothies. The spa experience The serene spa has a pool, cryochamber and Himalayan salt thermal room, with Wildsmith holistic treatments on offer. Rooms from £300 at Saltmoore House and £200 at The Beach House, check availability at saltmoore.co.uk, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Scarlet, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall Nestled in the cliffs above Mawgan Porth bay, this boutique, adults-only eco hotel feels like a remote beach hideaway but is just a 10-minute drive from Newquay Airport or 30 mins from Bodmin station. The vibe is relaxed coastal chic with lots of little rooms and nooks to cosy up with a book, play games, get creative with the art supplies or relax with a drink – local art is dotted everywhere. All of the rooms have seaview balconies or terraces so wherever you are you can fall asleep to the sound of waves. The décor is calming, pale wood and pops of colour, deep luxurious baths and powerful waterfall showers with toiletries are from Cornish eco brand Oula. Dogs are very welcome and get their own bed, bowls and treats. Complimentary loose-leaf tea, coffee and water is delivered to rooms day and night on request. The Scarlet restaurant has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic and a terrace for sunnier days. The menu offers precise, inventive cooking and an emphasis on seafood. On our visit cured local mackerel and monkfish tail with butter masala sauce were particular highlights. There’s also a well priced wine list with some great Cornish bottles from nearby Trevibban Mill and Polgoon. The upstairs bar has snacks and lighter options such as crab linguine as well as some expertly crafted cocktails. Breakfast is a leisurely affair, served until 11am with no need to book. After a selection of caramelised grapefruit, daily cleansing juices, pastries and granola the hot dishes include full Cornish breakfasts, scrambled eggs with cured trout, pancake stacks and smashed avocado sourdough toast. The spa experience The spa area encompasses a sea-facing pool and steam room, outdoor reed-filtered pool, hot tubs and a wooden sauna hut. There’s also a relaxation space and a path down to the beach for swims or sunset walks, plus complimentary yoga, tai chi and mindfulness sessions. Inspired by Ayurvedic principles, the tented, low-lit treatment rooms give a cocoon-like atmosphere for the likes of the PadaMukha massage, a combined face and foot massage using Ayurvedic oils to restore and reenergise. The Scarlet Reset Break offers a bespoke 1-2-1 fitness and lifestyle consultation followed by personalised sessions and post-stay mentoring to stay on track. Also included is a spa treatment and all breakfasts and evening meals. Rooms from £235 per night on a B&B basis, Scarlet Reset Break from £970 based on two sharing a Just Right room, check availability at booking.com or scarlethotel.co.uk Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire This Georgian estate tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful North Yorkshire countryside is a destination for serious food lovers and wellness seekers. The jewel in the crown of the estate is Forge, a restaurant that recently earned its first Michelin star, thanks to head chef Jake Jones’s nature-led, hyper-seasonal tasting menus. Dishes highlight foraged ingredients and estate-grown produce, with inventive flavour combinations – dry-aged Nidderdale hogget with summer’s last mint and north coast cod with York asparagus, preserved lemon and English sparkling wine. A standout cheese course of Cashel Blue with pickled walnut, medlar and birch syrup precedes intricate desserts like forced rhubarb tart with custard and toasted milk. Drinks are equally thoughtful, with pairings ranging from a lemon thyme saison by Salt Brewery to a bright ortega from Kent and a rich reserva tinto from Alentejo, Portugal. Coach House offers a more relaxed approach for breakfast, all-day dining and cocktails inside and on the covered terrace, while Forest Spa, next to Forge, has its own light and nourishing spa menu, ideal for pre or post-treatment grazing. Rooms are spread across the estate – from the charming Tack Room with woodburning stove, huge freestanding bath and beamed ceilings, to contemporary suites with outdoor copper tubs and views of wildflower meadows. Interiors mix natural textures with understated luxury: Burlington showers, stone walls, linen drapes, oak floors and velvet armchairs. Outside, the Tom Stuart-Smith designed walled garden is both colourful and serene, adjacent to the working kitchen garden. The spa experience Forest Spa is a soothing, sensory escape. Guest numbers are cleverly limited so it can feel like you have it almost to yourself as you claim your chic green and white striped towel-draped lounger around the stunning 15-metre outdoor pool with views over the countryside. There’s an outdoor hot tub, thermal cabins and a steam room. Cute treatment huts named for herbs growing nearby offer a range of nature-inspired treatments such as massages and Voya seaweed wraps – the signature In Bloom massage is a favourite, blending deep relaxation techniques with aromatic oils to reflect the estate’s gardens through the seasons. Rooms from £235 per night, check availability at middletonlodge.co.uk The Spa at Manor House, Alsager, Cheshire Nestled in the heart of Cheshire’s tranquil countryside, Manor House in Alsager is a hidden gem. Overnight guests will find the hotel rooms comfortable, with all the essentials for a pleasant stay. While they may not match the spa’s lavish opulence, they provide a restful base for an unforgettable spa-centric getaway. The restaurant rounds off the day beautifully – the AA Rosette awarded Stables serves quality seasonal British fare with attentive service that feels both relaxed and refined. Highlights were the spring vegetable pappardelle and the sardines beautifully served on a bed of perfectly ripe tomatoes. The spa experience The spa at Manor House offers an indulgence that feels tailor-made for both special occasions and spontaneous escapes. From the moment you step into its contemporary sanctuary complete with a signature swim-up bar, suspended daybeds and lush spa garden you will feel enveloped in luxury. The facilities are impressively up to date, featuring indoor hydrotherapy pools, aromatic saunas, soothing steam rooms and a sensory herb garden. Every detail suggests thoughtful design, making each corner of the spa feel like a private retreat. The variety of experiences ensures there’s always a new indulgence to discover and the overall atmosphere leaves you feeling truly cherished. Rooms from £255, check availability at booking.com or manorhousealsager.com The Gilpin, Windermere, Lake District The Lakes has an incredible food and hospitality scene, and The Gilpin is up there with the best the area has to offer. The Relais & Châteaux bolthole is set across the two sites – the main Gilpin hotel and the Lake House, which are both a short distance from Lake Windermere – every consideration has been made to ensure your stay is a memorable and ultra-cosy retreat. The 30-room main hotel is plush and characterful but it’s the spa lodges and suites that really take the comfort up a notch. The spa suites are top tier – these open-plan wood and glass lodges are epic in size and luxury, flooded with natural light and decorated with botanical touches to bring the outdoors indoors. The bowl bath and rainforest showers feel extra decadent, as does the private deck overlooking your own pond. As the lodges are located on the elevated, rugged landscape of the Lakes, they offer both magnificent views and privacy. The main Gilpin hotel has two restaurant options – SOURCE and Spice. The Michelin-starred SOURCE is headed by The Fat Duck alumnus Ollie Bridgwater and offers a six or 10-course tasting menu with wine pairings that changes daily. Our menu included refined dishes like scallop, celeriac, truffle & white kelp, Sladesdown duck, beetroot, endive, kampot pepper & parfait, and white chocolate, caviar & hojicha. The more informal option is Gilpin Spice, a buzzy fusion restaurant with an open-plan kitchen. Here, menu highlights include Asian fried chicken, ox cheek rendang, Herdwick lamb rump boti, and sticky Jamaican sponge pudding with a coconut sorbet. Breakfast is served in the main hotel – we recommend the bright and bucolic conservatory. The menu consists of classic dishes like a full English and eggs benedict, alongside buck rarebit with poached eggs. Guests not wanting to leave their cocoon-like rooms can order breakfast and Spice dishes to their room. Afternoon tea is served at the secluded Lake House. Traditional with a gentle twist, we liked the thoughtful savoury options, including a shot of tomato soup and coronation chicken served in pani puri: a nod to a signature dish at Spice. If you're making a weekend of your stay, check out our picks of the best restaurants in the Lake District for more inspiration. The spa experience For the ultimate spa experience, book into a spa suite, where you’ll get your own personal sauna, steam room, massage chair, thermal hot tub and infra-red bed. In-room treatments are available using products from ESPA or local producer The Lakes, and include full-body or localised massages. Spa lodges also have their own facilities, and for those staying in the main hotel, there’s central spa for treatments. Rooms from £305 per night, inclusive of full English breakfast. Check availability at thegilpin.co.uk or booking.com. Lime Wood, Hampshire Secluded in its own estate in the heart of the New Forest, Lime Wood is a luxuriously renovated 13th century hunting lodge. The owner’s outstanding art collection adds a contemporary feel to reception rooms, made cosy with squishy armchairs, crackling fires and heaving bookshelves, set around a chic central atrium with retractable roof. Aperitifs at the bar include a trio of arancini paired with refreshing Americano cocktails and a six-strong espresso martini list. The restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, has a hushed, elegant ambience, serving Italian dishes such as house-cured Loch Duart salmon with pickled rhubarb, frilly mafalde pasta with slow-cooked ragu, and monkfish in a spiced shellfish and fennel broth. Finish with a dozen delicate madeleines served hot from the oven in their scalloped tray. A breakfast grazing table awaits in The Scullery come morning, laden with homemade pastries, house-smoked salmon, DIY granola bowls and more, while you decide between cooked-to-order plates such as caramelised pear buckwheat pancakes. The main house features stone fireplaces, Italian marble bathrooms and large sash windows with magical forest views. Other rooms around the estate include Pavilion rooms with forest-fringing patios and rustic-chic forest and lake cabins, the latter perched on the water with a terrace tub and log burner. All are enveloped in country elegance, with upholstered bedheads, Bamford toiletries and mini bars kitted out with New Forest shortbread, Flack Manor Brewery beer and Hambledon sparkling wine. The spa experience A night at Lime Wood includes full use of the Herb House Spa, a serene complex nestled on the forest edge. The sauna and hydro pool have windows to soak up the forest zen before a nature-inspired Ground massage ritual. Take a pilates class, work out in the gym or do laps in the indoor pool and cool off on a lounger amongst the aromatics of the rooftop herb garden. Sip cold press detox juices and CBD drinks while picking from nourishing plates at the adjacent Raw & Cured café, including the likes of British-grown quinoa with harissa roasted cauliflower and house-cured sea bass ceviche in a zingy rhubarb dressing. Rooms from £495 per night including spa access. Check availability at limewoodhotel.co.uk or mrandmrssmith.com The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath Few visitors to Bath see beyond the façade of the magnificent Royal Crescent, the city’s most impressive landmark. And even fewer guess that No 16 extends into beautiful hotel gardens with a lavender path – a haven for birds and butterflies – where you can have afternoon tea, cocktails and light lunches. Chef Martin Blake balances simplicity with on-trend touches. Montagu’s Mews’ evening tasting menu starts with tiny canapés of Bath Blue cheese and avocado mousse with cucumber and borage, then shokupan is served; a soft Japanese-style milk bread with Somerset’s Ivy Farm butter and smoked roe studded with salmon ikura. Hollandaise for beef tartare is spiked with Bath Ale and IP8 (beer) vinegar. A forced rhubarb dessert is softened with olive oil and vanilla. The comprehensive wine list includes confident choices such as a barrel-aged assyrtiko. Rooms are built for comfort and luxury, some with terraces and views on to the gardens or over the sweeping lawns of the Crescent. Fireplaces in bedrooms may be filled with decorative pinecones, modern art sits alongside vintage portraits and busts, and the outside is brought in with plants and floral displays. The spa experience The hotel’s five-star spa includes a heated pool with sauna and steam rooms, tranquil treatment rooms, and a small garden where you can relax after a swim, still in your robe. Rooms from £300 per night including spa access. Check availability at royalscresent.co.uk or booking.com The Store, Oxford In Oxford’s newest boutique hotel there are references to its previous incarnation as a department store in playful illustrations dotted throughout communal spaces along within black and white photography of the historic city. Restaurant Treadwell has a comforting menu of ale-battered fish and chips, chicken pie and elevated pastas like pappardelle with red mullet, Pernod and fennel. For breakfast, creative touches like a torched chashu pork benedict complement more traditional choices. Innovative cocktails crafted from regional ingredients are best enjoyed on the roof terrace. The Store's bedrooms and suites feature cosy bedding and soft, calming tones. Many rooms offer stunning views of Oxford’s architecture. Communal areas offer plenty of space to unwind or socialise, and during the week a visible laptop or two suggest it’s a good meeting or coworking place. The spa experience The spa’s super power is its modest size: just three treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna and quiet relaxation space – therapists will schedule your time to ensure you feel the space is all yours. Yoga and PT sessions are also available. Oskia, a brand that uses over 50 nutrients in its formulations, offers reviving facials, massages and body treatments, after which you’ll be offered a choice of calming teas. Doubles from £227. Check availability at booking.com or thestoreoxford.com Four Seasons, Hampshire Set within a restored Georgian manor and surrounded by 500 acres of picturesque countryside, Four Seasons Hampshire offers a refined yet relaxed country retreat. Interiors blend traditional English charm with understated luxury — think grand fireplaces, plush armchairs and elegant nods to the estate’s rich heritage. Wild Carrot, the hotel’s main restaurant, serves up modern British dishes that showcase local produce, from tender Hampshire lamb to perfectly seared sea bass. Breakfasts are equally impressive, with everything from classic full English platters to delicate smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and champagne Bellini's on weekends. For drinks, the cocktail bar’s inventive creations — many inspired by garden herbs and hedgerow fruits — can be enjoyed fireside or on the terrace overlooking rolling meadows. Rooms and suites are generously proportioned, with deep soaking tubs, crisp linens and soft, neutral palettes that echo the natural surroundings. Many offer sweeping views of the grounds or walled gardens, and communal spaces invite you to linger with a book or glass of wine. The spa experience The spa at Four Seasons Hampshire is a sanctuary of calm, housed in a converted 18th-century stable block. Its highlight is the glass-walled indoor pool, which opens onto a vitality pool and sun terrace. Treatments feature acclaimed brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm, 111SKIN and Ila, and they offer everything from tension-releasing massages to skin-brightening facials. There’s also a sauna, steam room and aromatic relaxation lounge to complete the experience. The changing rooms are as luxurious as the spa, with underfloor heating, luxury products and private lockers with dressing gowns, slippers and plush towels. Doubles from £520. Check availability at the Four Seasons Rudding Park, North Yorkshire This 2,000-acre Georgian country estate just outside Harrogate is a lesson in country luxury with a contemporary edge. Stone fireplaces and staircases contrast with pops of colour including pink chandeliers, mustard window seats, striking sculptures and modern art. This playful design extends through to the 89 rooms, split between the original Ribston wing (eight rooms of which have terraces that back onto rhododendrons) and the newer Follifoot wing, its larger rooms boasting standalone baths in copper-tiled bathrooms. All are kitted out with luxuries including tea and coffee from local favourite Taylor’s of Harrogate. Breakfast is taken in all-day restaurant Clocktower, with dishes such as harissa mushrooms on toast and the Full Yorkshire, as well as a modest cold buffet. We recommend finding a spot on the south-facing terrace or beside the 400-year-old olive tree in the conservatory. The hotel’s kitchen garden-led restaurant, Horto, is housed in the swish spa, so expect a relaxed approach, with guests padding through in robes and slippers. Neon canvases, mustard chairs and teal velvet booths beckon punters from the bar, and flashes of florals creep in to complement the garden view. Sharing plates include crisp tempura broccoli, honey roast fig and walnut flatbreads, toasted focaccia club sandwiches and tandoori monkfish kebabs. Hazelnut and chocolate choux are filled with hazelnut praline for a decadent finish. 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands make relaxing walking routes, with views over the golf course all the way to the Kilburn White Horse in the North Yorkshire Moors. The spa experience The impressive spa was the first rooftop spa to open in the UK. Take a leisurely circuit, alternating between hot and cold experiences such as an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms and panoramic woodland saunas as well as sunlight therapy rooms, oxygen pods and a dedicated foot spa. Book a 50-minute bespoke treatment (try the invigorating body polish, which includes a heavenly head, neck and shoulder massage) to unlock access to the Escape Zone, a space to sip on herbal teas while wandering between rooms that offer relaxing visual and audio experiences. Rooms from £249 per night. Check availability at ruddingpark.co.uk or booking.com Lucknam Park, Wiltshire This five-star Palladian mansion blends old-school opulence with high-tech wellness, secluded within its own 500-acre estate. A short drive from Bath, Lucknam offers a country retreat as well as a trip back in time, restoring many of its 18th-century features to impeccable condition. Roam around the hotel and you’ll be transported to its aristocratic past, with high-ceilinged rooms furnished with chandeliers and antique furniture. Each of the 42 individually styled rooms evoke Georgian grandeur, with 13 suites offering views stretching out over the manicured lawns. There are also seven chic country cottages within the estate. We stayed in Juliet, a plush suite with first-class attention to detail: fresh fruit, juicy dates, shortbread and champagne all awaited in the lounge, with a Nespresso pod coffee machine, dinky milk bottles and a fridge stocked with soft drinks at our disposal. In the bedroom, a luxurious four-poster bed promised the most luxurious sleep. The bathroom was finished in smooth marble, with underfloor heating and Lucknam branded fig & vanilla toiletries. Head to the most majestic of all the rooms, The Drawing Room, for preprandial cocktails showcasing the premium whiskies lining the bar cart. Make a beeline for the Cotswold Old Fashioned, combining Cotswold Single Malt, vanilla bitters, orange bitters and maple syrup. Lucknam has two restaurant options – Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones and The Walled Garden Restaurant, the latter being one of the facilities to recently undergo a refurb. It’s a stylish all-day brasserie flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows to invite the outdoors in. Menu highlights include lemon sole with seafood linguine, chicken schnitzel with green beans and caper and lemon butter, and strawberry and pistachio knickerbocker glory. Breakfast is also served here, showcasing West Country produce including sausages from Huntsham Farm, bread from Hall Quality Bakers and strawberries from Cheddar Valley. The spa experience Lucknam’s award-winning spa within the walled gardens brings guests back into the 21st century, with a contemporary complex drenched in light from the towering window walls. Available to use for all guests, the spa includes eight state-of-the-art treatment rooms and four thermal cabins, as well as a programme of wellness classes, including pilates and yoga. You can also book a high-luxury treatment (try the 111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond, a non-surgical lift facial involving 10 steps to lift, contour and boost the skin). Rooms from £472 per night, including spa access and breakfast. Check availability at lucknampark.co.uk, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Gainsborough, Bath This grand neoclassical retreat in the heart of Bath is the only hotel in the UK with direct access to the city’s natural thermal waters. Housed in a 19th-century building originally constructed as a hospital, The Gainsborough Bath Spa now attracts wellness seekers and design lovers alike with its elegant interiors, curated spa rituals and Asian-influenced dining. The Brasserie, led by a team drawing inspiration from the hotel group’s Malaysian heritage, serves dishes include tender charred beef short rib with sesame glaze, the signature Dancing Prawns tossed in a spicy-sweet sambal, and a comforting bowl of laksa spiced coconut soup with noodles, tofu and coriander. A classic afternoon tea is served in the adjacent Canvas Room. Rooms are understated luxe, with high ceilings, velvet armchairs and elegant panelled walls in calming neutrals. Marble tiling, deep tubs and Elemis products make each bathroom special. Some rooms offer in-bathroom access to the healing thermal waters, too. Across the hotel, sustainable practices are quietly integrated: single-use plastics have been eliminated and energy is locally sourced where possible. The spa experience The Spa Village Bath is set beneath a dramatic glass atrium, the thermal bathing circuit guides you through a series of warm and cool pools filled with the city’s mineral-rich waters, alongside saunas, a eucalyptus steam room, an ice alcove and sensory showers. Before and after treatments guests are offered chilled herbal-infused teas, specially blended for their grounding and hydrating properties. Treatment rooms offer deep tissue and aromatherapy massages, facials and full-body rituals. The signature Golden Body Treatment – using Omorovicza’s gold-infused oil and sugar scrub has anti-inflammatory and skin-revitalising effects. Post-treatment, the relaxation room is dimly lit and hushed, with reclining beds and headphones. Even at peak times this spa has a serene, restorative atmosphere. Rooms from £280 per night check availability at thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk or booking.com Carey's Manor and SenSpa, New Forest This ostensibly small New Forest manor house disguises labyrinthine corridors of 77 rooms and 22,000ft of spa facilities – yet it somehow maintains the vibe of an old-fashioned country pile. The entrance lobby is a case in point, where you can cosy up in front of the log fire or stroll into the bar where the panelling and sofas keep up the period styling. But take a different exit and you’ll find yourself in a mirrored yoga studio or a very modern ice room. There are three restaurants to choose from: French, Thai and the main dining room, which serves intricate British-inspired dishes. Breakfast is not to be missed, thanks to some of the strongest turmeric and ginger shots we’ve ever tasted, delicious spiced poached prunes and pastries, English breakfast classics and smoothies. Walk it all off in the beautiful New Forest countryside, or try an exercise class or visit to the spa if the weather isn’t up to it. The spa experience Guests can use the main pool and there is also a poolside sauna, steam room and hot tub available if you’re staying at the hotel. However, it’s well worth paying £39 for access to the rest of the SenSpa, where it’s easy to while away an hour or two moving between the massage jets in the hydrotherapy suite, the different thermal spa rooms (including a crystal steam room and laconicum) or the experience showers, which replicate an invigorating sea storm or a tropical rainforest downpour, depending on how much of a shock to the system you need. Treatments are gently themed around traditional Thai massage, using the hotel’s own SenSpa products or Espa treatments, and cover the gamut from ayurvedic head massage to a Thai herbal poultice full body massage. Check rates and availability at careysmanor.com, booking.com or spabreaks.com Package: The New Forest Dining Break starts from £259 per room, inclusive of continental breakfast, use of health club facilities (swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and gym) and dinner at one of three on-site restaurants (£35pp dinner allowance). Please note prices are subject to change. Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite, Lake District On edge of the unspoiled Bassenthwaite Lake you’ll find Armathwaite Hall, an imposing period building with grand lounge rooms, modern suites and a resident cat called Saffy. Warm service awaits in the warren-like hotel, which has two restaurants plus a well-furnished spa. For dinner, the more casual option is The Grill, a classic steakhouse with inventive starters, plenty of main course options and friendly, personable service. Steaks are served with beef dripping chips, grilled veg or salad, and traditional sauces like béarnaise and peppercorn, washed down with fruity red wine. Lake View Restaurant has an elegant, more cheffy menu with favourites like chicken kyiv and crème brûlée, served with a local or seasonal twist – we liked that the brûlée was offset with blood orange sorbet. The breakfast is served in the (hopefully sunny) conservatory and has a self-service continental menu plus a list of classic hot options including a full Cumbrian breakfast, Isle of Man kippers and smoked haddock with hollandaise and eggs. Guests can then head out on one of the many local walks to soak up the epic Lake District landscape, head next door to the Lake District Wildlife Park or just take a stroll down to the edge of Bassenthwaite for a moment of peace. The spa experience The smart spa has an exhaustive treatment list, including walker’s recovery massages for hikers, as well as a range of spa day options like sunset and sunrise sessions. We had a 55-minute full-body massage with a meticulous technician using Templespa products – after we relaxed in the hush room with fruit salad and cucumber water. The facilities are extensive and include an indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool and a strong range of thermal options including sauna and salt aroma room, with invigorating, circulation-firing ice scrub for after. Doubles from £295, check rates and availability at armathwaite-hall.com or booking.com Grantley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire Grantley Hall is a masterpiece of refined elegance and understated opulence. As you approach the grand entrance, a smartly dressed staff member greets you with warmth, setting the tone for your visit. The drive through the picturesque estate, with its beautifully manicured gardens and rolling Yorkshire countryside, is breathtaking. The historic house, thoughtfully extended over centuries, cleverly blends heritage with modern sophistication. The suites are luxurious, with exceptional attention to detail. Plush furnishings, exquisite design and state-of-the-art amenities create a sense of comfort and indulgence. Unlike some luxury establishments where grandeur can feel unapproachable, the charm of Yorkshire hospitality ensures guests feels special and right at home. Dining at Grantley Hall is like a journey in itself. With a selection of world-class restaurants, including Shaun Rankin’s Michelin-starred fine-dining experience, the culinary offerings are exceptional. Your evening begins in an elegant lounge, where staff eloquently introduce the menu and guide you through a curated selection of drinks. In the restaurant the experience unfolds with precision and artistry, featuring Shaun’s signature creations, such as his reimagined childhood favourite, bread and butter, a tasteful nod to traditional bread and dripping. From the impeccable service to the breathtaking setting and world-class cuisine, Grantley Hall is an experience where history, luxury and warm Yorkshire hospitality come together perfectly. The spa experience Grantley Hall’s spa and wellness facilities offer a serene retreat boasting indoor and outdoor pools, a cutting-edge hydrotherapy suite and a state-of-the-art gym. The unique snow room offers an invigorating experience, leaving guests feeling refreshed, revitalised and perfectly chilled. The expertly curated treatments, delivered in sumptuously designed treatment rooms, provide a haven of relaxation and restoration. Whether savouring an afternoon tea, unwinding with a crafted cocktail in the bar or basking in the estate’s tranquil beauty, Grantley Hall is a true sanctuary. Ideal for a romantic escape or an indulgent retreat, it is a destination that surpasses expectations. Doubles from £575, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Rockliffe Hall, Darlington Self-taught chef James Close spends any spare time he has travelling the world for food inspiration. Looking for a new challenge he joined Rockliffe Hall as culinary director and opened dinner-only TERRA in the space used as the spa’s café during the day, while the hotel builds a completely new restaurant space opening in 2025. Although billed as a modern bistro, the level of skill and detail in dishes such as prawn and crab toast; burnt lime hamachi ceviche; wagyu tournedos rossini speak to his Michelin star background (two stars at his previous home, The Raby Hunt), while gratinated gnocchi and tropical baked alaska hit the comfort food bullseye. During the day, the space is called Nu Sana and offers buddha bowls, burgers and brunches with plenty of vegan options. The spa experience The award-winning Spa at Rockliffe Hall spans 50,000 square feet, including a 20m indoor pool, hydro pool, monsoon showers, thermal suite and outdoor hot tub, plus a dedicated wellness restaurant, Nu Sana, with in-robe dining welcome daily. The spa treatment menu combines holistic spa rituals with results-driven treatments. Most recently, the hotel partnered with Proverb – the sustainable beauty and bodycare company – to offer guests a 'skin fitness' journey with a new stretch and align massage treatment. The sumptuous Spa Garden includes a sauna, private infinity pool with sweeping views of the grounds and beyond, plus tepidarium beds. Guests can enjoy the private space while sipping on Piaff champagne. Access to the spa is included for guests of the hotel throughout their stay, though not including treatments. The Spa Garden is £25 per person for guests staying at the hotel, while day and evening packages are also available to non-guests. Rooms from £390 per night. Check availability at booking.com or rockliffehall.com Four Seasons Park Lane, London Four Seasons Park Lane is a short walk from Hyde Park, the theatre district and a wealth of London attractions, but is situated on a serene street away from the hustle of the city. The hotel feels luxurious from the moment you’re ushered into the dramatic lobby, but the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You’ll find sleek rooms with plush beds, decadent marbled bathrooms and plenty of added little luxuries from room sprays to a pillow menu, they take sleep very seriously here. Dining at the hotel’s Pavylon restaurant is an all-round immersive experience, request a counter seat and the theatre you’ll spectate will rival any of the West End shows. Headed up by multi Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, it took him less than a year to win a star for Pavyllon. Them menu focuses on French classics using the finest British ingredients, each dish is presented like a work of art but the balance of flavours is where the real power in his dishes is held. You can expect plates like monkfish tail seared with black pepper oil, succulent Lake District lamb cutlets and flambéed cherries with almond ice cream. Breakfast is served a la carte and includes British and French classics, the Parisian omelette with ham, Comté cheese sauce and parsley is perfection, you’ll find plenty of freshly squeezed juices, pastries and exceptionally good coffee on the menu too. The spa experience Situated at the very top of the hotel you’ll find dramatic city views from the changing rooms and gym, the sleek spa is home to a salt-wall sauna, eucalyptus steam room and huge vitality pool which is difficult to tear yourself away from. The treatment menu offers everything from personalised facials to immersive sound bath healing. The Gastronomic Getaway starts from £214 per person, including an overnight stay with full use of the spa, a signature cocktail at Bar Antoine, six course tasting menu at Pavylon and a Four Seasons breakfast the next morning. Check availability at Four Seasons Park Lane. Cliveden House, Berkshire Sink into grandeur at this mansion retreat where a clocktower distracts from the time with its gilding. Inside, mahogany panelling is studded with oil paintings of former residents, including Frederick, Prince of Wales (mid-1700s) and socialite Nancy Astor (circa 1908) gazing demurely over a bared shoulder by the yawning fireplace. Cliveden also hosted the Profumo scandal, recapped by our concierge as we pass the outdoor pool where, in 1961, Christine Keeler frolicked with the Secretary of State. We’re shown to the Prince of Wales suite, boasting three fireplaces and sweeping views of formal gardens and the Thames cleaving through forested hills. It comes with access to the Butler’s Pantry for complimentary drinks and snacks. Cocktails in the library nod to the past. The Profumo is richly fruity (lychee and strawberry liqueurs topped with champagne) but we opted for the Prince of Wales, a toned down version with maraschino and bitters. Dinner echoes Cliveden’s initial use as a hunting lodge, with a silky venison tartare among the raw starters, then a surprisingly dainty slow-cooked guinea fowl. Desserts are generally rich with cream, but the lime macaron with lemon sorbet delivers a clean finish. Cooked breakfast is served in the same formal dining room but do venture next door where the continental is beautifully presented in baroque surroundings. The spa experience The ‘Profumo pool’ and hot tubs are cloistered by the old stables, which now house the indoor facilities (pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room) in neoclassical style, complete with wafting voile curtains. Massage treatments are administered with lotions specially formulated for Cliveden by Oskia – the Nancy, floral with berries and wild mint, or the spicier Anna Maria with black rose, named after the mistress to the second Duke of Buckingham. Opt for a facial and you’ll be treated to a comforting candle-wax massage between rounds with the Theragun, delivering gentle vibrations and a brightening wash of LED light. Rooms from £445 per night including spa access. Check availability at clivedenhouse.co.uk or booking.com The Bath Arms, Wiltshire Established in 1736 and bordering the Longleat Safari Estate (just 35-minutes outside Bath), the dog-friendly Bath Arms instantly envelopes you in its quiet rural setting. Its Elizabethan architecture, open fires and rustic comforts are mixed with an unpretentious chicness; you’re as perfectly placed sipping an RBO gin fizz with Tack Room rhubarb & blood orange as a Beckford Craft Lager in its deep leather armchairs. Five of the house’s 17 country rooms are in the converted stable block, set around a quiet courtyard next to the main house. Siberian goose down duvets, Mozzo cafetière coffee, Prince & Sons tea, and bathrooms stocked with Bramley Bath products create an indulgent haven for retiring. Guest-dining is an elegant but comfortably unfussy affair, with a seasonally curated menu of estate and locally sourced produce. Heralding from Dartmoor’s hills, venison strip loin is a must-try, served sliced on finely shredded sauerkraut with smoked pancetta, celeriac, confit kohlrabi and finished with poached blackberries. It’s a triumph, cooked with the same care that pairs tender pan-fried pigeon breast with Jerusalem artichoke, hazelnut dressing and a split 8-year-old cabernet vinegar. Armagnac prunes bring an adult, jammy richness to the duck egg custard tart with apple purée and a scoop of salted caramel ice cream for pudding. A playful addition to the breakfast menu is eggy bread with maple syrup and bacon. Look out for the DIY Bloody Mary cocktail station, too. The spa experience Overlooking The Bath Arms’ beehives and the Somerset countryside beyond, you'll find the Bramley Treatment Cabin – a new mini spa by the Beckford Group. Its personalised face and body treatments use the locally made Bramley Skin range, founded in 2009 with sustainably sourced and cruelty-free ingredients. Massages are priced from £50 up to £85 for a full body 90-minute therapy. The Apple Peel AHA Facial (45 min, £50) is among four on offer, using glycolic, lactic, and malic acids for rejuvenating skin. There’s even a head-to-toe nurturing treatment for mothers-to-be, to help ease tiredness and reduce stress on joints. Rooms from £140 per night. Check availability at batharmsinn.com or mrandmrssmith.com Dormy House Hotel, Cotswolds Despite the grandeur, this 17th-century Cotswolds farmhouse-turned-spa-hotel is as welcoming as it is luxurious. There are 38 bedrooms spread across the main house and farmhouse outbuildings, including two Hot Tub Suites in individual cottages with their own private patios. The Shed serves hearty pub-style food (think spiced cauliflower pie and double-patty burgers) in a low-key setting, while The Back Garden celebrates homegrown produce with simple, seasonal dishes. This is also where the lavish breakfast buffet is served, that includes a DIY bloody Mary bar as well as homemade yoghurts, honeycomb, fruit and an ample a la carte menu. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, book a fun and intimate chef's table experience MO for an eight-course tasting menu including the likes of smoky barbecue monkfish, white asparagus with seaweed, fennel and lime and heritage beef fillet with pickled turnips, watercress and wild garlic. The spa experience The recently updated spa offers guests an indoor/outdoor blend of therapies, there’s a serene indoor pool, terrace hot tub with outdoor fire and a scandi-style thermal suite including an indoor shower with choice of forest mist, tropical rain or arctic blast for the brave. Treatments take place in plush, candle-lit rooms and options include a rejuvenating stretch and align massage which is perfect for those who’ve spent too long over a laptop. There’s a floatation tank and wave touch massage on offer for those who’d prefer a private treatment without a therapist. The greenhouse offers freshly blended smoothies, ginger shots, CBD drinks and nutritious snacks and light lunches, as well as its very own sun terrace so you can soak up some Cotswold rays. Rooms from £309 per night, check availability at dormyhouse.co.uk or booking.com Coworth Park, Berkshire An idyllic countryside escape set in 240 acres of parkland with five-star service, a blissful spa and Michelin-starred food. A modern country house hotel, Coworth Park is light and airy in shades of cream and gold with fun horse motifs throughout, reflecting its equestrian heritage – it’s home to Guards Polo Academy and hosts tournaments throughout the season. Luxurious rooms – spread out between the main house, converted stables and private cottages – feature four poster beds and copper roll-top baths. There are three restaurants, the Spatisserie (see below), the Barn serving smart takes on British classics, and the jewel in the crown, Michelin-starred Woven by Adam Smith. At Woven, the menu is a celebration of homegrown produce, from Cornish crab to Devon chicken, with a strong focus on English wine. Dinner is a five-course affair, dishes are fun and innovative, and there’s incredible attention to detail. Highlights include coronation chicken skewers; a bread basket with an outrageously cheesy croissant; and a bite-sized potato truffle tart with light-as-air pastry. Breakfast (not included in the room rate) is served at Woven, and you might need a swim first to work up an appetite – there’s a continental buffet loaded with homemade muesli, seasonal fruit and pastries, followed by eggs and avocado or, if you’re really hungry, toasted crumpet with Tunworth, sticky short rib, mushrooms and a fried egg. The spa experience The spa has a pool with underwater music, a steam room, experience shower, gym, treatment rooms and a Spatisserie offering healthy platters. Treatments take place on warm beds and are so incredibly relaxing, falling asleep is inevitable. Options include massages, facials and reflexology, and showcase Ishga products, a Scottish organic seaweed skincare range. Superior stable room from £545 per night, includes use of the spa facilities, check availability at dorchestercollection.com/ascot/coworth-park or mrandmrssmith.com Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa, Surrey Set in the golf courses of the Surrey commuter belt, Beaverbrook is an oasis of luxury where you'll dine and be pampered to the highest of standards. As the former home of Lord Beaverbrook, minister for War Production during WWII (he saw the potential of the Spitfire aircraft, now a symbol of British victory) and owner of the Express newspapers, there are nods to his famous connections and achievements throughout. Tiny Spitfires adorn the porters’ lapels and cocktail napkins, with the distinctive shape is even used for a bunker on the resort’s golf course. The Elizabeth Taylor Suite once housed the star, while there are photos of Beaverbrook’s friends, Winston Churchill and Alfred Hitchcock, in the library and cinema room. Rooms in the main house are quite special, and all the facilities are close at hand. Guests in the Village (which was opened in December 2023 and feels more family-orientated) have their own golf buggy to drive around. The four restaurants cover all tastes. Top billing is justifiably given to the gourmet Japanese Dining Room, but even the more kid-friendly fare in newly-opened Mrs Beeton’s is superior – with the dressed crab a highlight and the crunchy triple-cooked chips some of the best we’ve tried. For a real treat, head to breakfast in the Dining Room, where fresh cold-pressed juices, homemade compotes and truffled eggs – complete with chunky silver tableware – are the epitome of indulgence. The spa experience Two pools (indoor and outdoor), a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna are available to guests for some relaxation. The outdoor pool is heated to 29C – a toasty temperature for a winter swim. Between the massages, facials and personal training, yoga or pilates sessions – plus the relaxation room with its glass log burner and the spa café with wood-fired pizza oven – it’s easy to spend the best part of the day here. But, if you need a change of scenery, you can walk straight from the grounds out into the surrounding Surrey hills. Rooms from £553 per night including spa access. Check availability at beaverbrook.co.uk or mrandmrssmith.com Pan Pacific London, London Pan Pacific might be moments away from the bustling streets of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, but inside it’s an oasis of calm. The hotel’s ethos is to bring a slice of the Singapore experience to London, and you’ll find that influence in everything from the Kopi Tiam afternoon tea to the vibrant hotel bar Ginger Lily, where the attentive staff will mix you up a signature Singaporean classic or a contemporary creation, depending on your own unique tastes. Breakfast is served in Straits Kitchen and you'll find an opulent buffet with a choice of Asian and English classics, from freshly made omelette to beautifully fragrant Won Ton noodle soups. All rooms feature king size beds, expansive marble bathrooms and luxury bathroom products, but the views across the city are what make this hotel standout, you can admire the glittering lights and striking contrast of old and new architecture from the comfort of your very own bed, it might be hard to leave. The spa experience A night at Pan Pacific includes full use of the wellbeing floor, start your morning with a luxurious swim in the balmy and impressively large infinity pool, floor to ceiling windows offer you far-reaching views over Bishopsgate Plaza as you practice your front crawl. There are plenty of sun loungers to recline on in the light-flooded relaxation area and a mindfulness studio where you’ll find yoga classes, meditation, pilates and gong therapy. The bougie experience continues in the changing rooms with Diptyque products and a smart sauna and steam room for the ultimate heat experience. There are a range of treatments on offer from a rhythmical bamboo massage to a lymphatic drainage massage. Rooms from £395 per night including spa access. Check availability at panpacificlondon.com Sopwell House, St Albans Tucked away down a country lane in the historic Roman city of St Albans lies Sopwell House, a modernised Georgian property with a newly refurbished spa, plush bedrooms, and fine dining at its award-winning Omboo restaurant. Omboo offers a sharing menu inspired by the spice routes of Asia and the far east. Highlights include pulled duck, cashew and orange salad, and melt in the mouth miso-glazed black cod. Afternoon tea features tiered stands of delicate cakes (don’t miss the matcha cherry mousse), traditional finger sandwiches and warm scones. Swing by the Octagon bar to discover a little of Sopwell’s history through its carefully curated menu; The Battenberg Wine cocktail is a tribute to Lord Mountbatten, who was a former owner of the estate. The hotel has 128 guest rooms, 16 of which make up the exclusive Mews courtyard – the place to stay if you’re looking for luxury. Rooms are elegant and cosy with duck-feather duvets and super king-sized beds. The spa experience A trip to Sopwell wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the world-class Cottonmill spa. A spa day includes use of the indoor pool, vitality pools, gym, sauna, steam room and poolside terrace. Upgrade to a Club package for use of the state-of-the-art relaxation rooms, a heated indoor and outdoor infinity pool and spa gardens. Don’t miss the botanical steam room and sensory deprivation pods for the perfect way to unwind. Rooms from £239 per night including spa access. Check availability at sopwellhouse.co.uk or booking.com South Lodge, Sussex Located in the verdant Sussex countryside is South Lodge, with its dark wood interiors and plush carpets, and the air of a grand private home. The staff here are friendly and attentive, in a way you rarely see in hotels today. There are 88 rooms ranging from smart standards to luxurious suites and cottages. Our room had views over the gardens with a luxuriously large bed, soft pillows, a coffee machine and sizeable bathroom with a bath and Molton Brown toiletries. There was a handy tablet for ordering room service, snacks, fresh milk or late-night desserts. Not to mention a pillow menu, ensuring you get the best night’s sleep. There are multiple restaurants and bars, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. Try Camellia, the elegant spot which currently has MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 winner Tom Hamblet in residence until the end of April with Josh Mann then returning to the helm. Or, book at The Pass for intimate Michelin-star dining. Head Chef Ben Wilkinson changes the menu with the seasons – during our stay we enjoyed scallop on a bed of sweet roasted squash with rich almond foam and salty coppa ham, succulent roast venison with liver dumpling, toasted hazelnuts and bitter leaves, and a wonderfully sweet-sour dessert of blackberry, yogurt and lemon thyme. With interesting wine pairings, like crisp Slovenian Pinot Gris, and a course of fantastic local cheeses, this is the kind of meal you won't forget. The spa experience Sweat it out in the sauna, swim lengths in the infinity pool, take a dip in the outdoor pool or watch the sunset from the bubbling jacuzzi. For an extra treat, indulge in a massage, facial or nail treatment. Included in your booking is breakfast in Camellia or brunch in the dairy-free Botanica restaurant located in the spa. Rooms from £415 per night including spa access. Check availability at exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge or booking.com The Beaumont Hotel, London Old school opulence and faultless hospitality are the name of the game at The Beaumont. The polished walnut panelling, shiny marble floors and gilded edges set the scene as you walk into the Art Deco-style lobby. Suites are just as plush, with luxurious touches and 5-star attention to detail: Beaumont-stamped chocolate, sweets and snack jars all waited in our room, while sustainable toiletries were by heritage London perfumer D.R Harris. Rooms and suites are stylish, ultra-comfy and peaceful, cocooned from the busy Central London streets below. There’s even a room designed by artist Antony Gormley. The hotel’s Colony Grill is an elevated take on an NYC steakhouse, serving classics done with serious panache. It’s dimly-lit, intimate and elegant, with colourful wall paintings and retro booth seating. Everything on the menu is that little bit extra: the tame-sounding shrimp cocktail arrives as grand whole prawns fanning from a stemmed bowl; the steak is salt-aged in-house and served with whipped bearnaise; you can build-your-own sundae using a fun tick sheet (we added a chestnut and rosemary ice cream to ours). Breakfast is served in The Colony Grill and is just as chic as dinner. We ate smoked salmon, scrambled egg and brioche with house-pressed pomegranate juice, but the made-to-order menu is huge and includes signature hashes, cold breakfasts, pancakes, French toast and eggs served every which way you can imagine. The Viennoiserie table included almond croissant, cinnamon rolls and pain au chocolat, all made in the Beaumont bakery. Service is impeccable. The spa experience The peaceful basement spa at the Beaumont has a really fun USP – its range of hammam treatments. We experienced the Signature Hammam which involved an invigorating exfoliation using black olive savon noir scrub and an enriching rose & geranium clay. You can follow up with a massage treatment, or enjoy the facilities which include two steam rooms and one of London’s only cold water plunge pools. Rooms from £648 per night. Check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire The Tawny Hotel guarantees a truly restful experience away from the stresses of modern life. Set on a staggering 70 acres, there’s plenty to explore – stroll around the lake, heave a game of life-sized chess on the hill, or walk deeper into the woods. Welcoming staff are on-hand for a buggy around the grounds. The Shepherd's Huts with log burners are a cosy option, or fully immerse yourself in nature in one of the Hillside Treehouses or Retreats. Botanical embroidered blackout curtains ensure a restful night’s sleep. Land & Water shower and body products feel luxurious on the skin and provide refreshing fragrances of grapefruit, orange and samphire extract. The fluffy white towels and bathrobes are perfect for wrapping up in after a dip. Floor to ceiling windows make the stunning views the central focus of the room, and although there is a TV, guests are encouraged to leaf through books on forest bathing and poetry. The complimentary mini bar is well-stocked with local beers from Lymestone brewery, carbon neutral soft drinks and celebratory bubbles, as well as an array of ethical organic coffee pods from Cru Kafe (with your own coffee machine) and breakfast and herbal teas. Breakfast and dinner are served at the stylish modern Plumicorn restaurant; if you’re early enough for breakfast, you can watch the sun rise from the double height 180-degree windows. Choose a freshly cooked dish from the menu – including traditional Staffordshire oat cakes – and serve yourself a selection of fresh fruit, yogurt, charcuterie, pastries and fresh juices. At dinner, you'll find an extensive wine list with traditional and new world wines, local ingredients and options for a variety of dietary requirements. Room service is available if you’d rather not venture out of your calming oasis. The spa experience Choose from a variety of personalised spa experiences at the Thatched Cottage, the on-site treatment room. The wellness therapists are trained in the GAIA method, natural skincare products handmade in Britain. Bespoke massages start with a relaxing foot soak and scrub while you pick your massage oil aroma of choice. Calming music, along with the sound of birdsong from outside, create a truly blissful experience. Afterwards, enjoy a dip in the nearby outdoor pool. Sitting below the Plumicorn, it has the same exceptional views of the lush grounds. Order a poolside drink or simply lap up the incredibly fresh air as you relax in the year-round heated water, set to a warm 31C. Or, relax in the privacy of your own freshwater hot tub on your decking while taking in the magnificent views. Rooms from £250 per night. Check availability at thetawny.co.uk The Eastbury, Dorset Slow down, de-stress and be cosseted at this character-packed hotel in the Dorset market town. Guests can stay in the main Georgian townhouse, Potting Shed rooms in the walled garden or in Eastbury Cottage, with each accommodation offering laid-back vibes and a homely atmosphere. Guests can venture outside the grounds to explore the town’s food and craft markets, as well as Sherborne Castle (and sample The Castle’s wines in the Eastbury’s bar for good measure). On the menu, Chef Matthew Street works with local suppliers and some further afield to ensure his menus offer the best ingredients: Devon crab from Paignton is served with a chilled cucumber and wasabi soup for starters, followed by satisfying mains such as Japanese braised pork belly with miso broth, and burrata and ricotta agnolotti with parmesan crisp. Alternatively, for a more intimate evening, there’s the option to book the garden pod; a unique glass snug looking out across the lawn, furnished with plump cushions, soft blankets and ambient lighting. Interior designer Kathleen Fraser balances muted tones of pale blue and green with colourful prints and interesting textures throughout. The new Eastbury Cottage adjacent to the hotel has three delightfully cosy bedrooms, one with a free-standing bath as well as a separate modern shower room. Standout features include the inglenook fireplace, low beams, a well-equipped kitchen, and sunny private garden with hot tub and dining area. The spa experience The hotel’s small but deluxe garden spa comes with hot tubs and a steam room for fully fledged relaxation. Rooms from £250 per night including spa access. Check availability at theeastburyhotel.co.uk or booking.com Merchant's Manor, Falmouth Merchant's Manor is an Edwardian manor house turned boutique hotel in a foodie corner of Cornwall, with 39 rooms, two luxurious self-catering apartments and a polished restaurant celebrating the area’s culinary riches. Despite the hotel’s century-old beating heart, the decor feels box-fresh – calm, muted tones, parquet flooring, wood panelling, ornate coving and snuggle-into arm chairs. If you’re craving space, or arrive as a gaggle of guests, go for one of the stand-alone residencies. Ask for the Lookout for the best sea views once the Cornish mizzle clears. Clad with reclaimed timber and home to two double bedrooms and two Pinterest-perfect bathrooms, it also stretches to a kitchen, lounge and dining area, plus a private hot tub. Arrive early so you can make the most of the welcome hamper, bulging with homemade scones, jars of clotted cream and jam, freshly baked bread, fudgy brownies, Cornish Furniss ginger biscuits and chilled fizz from Padstow vineyard Trevibban Mill. Even the tea (Tregothnan) is locally grown. Breakfast is an impressive spread with as much attention to detail as lunch and dinner. With toast there’s local honey, Cornish jams and freshly ground nut butter. Overnight oats and homemade granola are offered with freshly stewed rhubarb and Trewithan Dairy yogurt, nuts and seeds while orange juice is swapped for Polgoon Cornish apple juice and a DIY bloody mary station. There are warm croissants, cheese and hams, plus a selection of hot breakfasts, including the classics and vegan options. The must-order, though, is buttery hot-smoked mackerel with chive butter, grilled tomato and poached eggs. The spa experience The Linen Rooms spa offers a selection of massage treatments from hot stone massages to the 'work it out' massage and pamper packages. Blow off steam in the indoor pool, then enjoy afternoon tea or snack on small plates. Day passes to the spa are available. Doubles from £141. Check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Seaham Hall, County Durham A short amble away from the rugged Durham Heritage Coast lies Seaham Hall Hotel, a beautiful hotel and spa just outside the village of Seaham, around 30 minutes’ drive east of Durham. The imposing Georgian country house is home to 21 huge suites as well as a luxurious Asian-themed spa. We stayed in an executive suite, which ticked all the five-star hotel boxes: a huge king-size bed with a ‘pillow menu’, a beautiful white-tiled bathroom with walk in shower, freestanding bath and fancy Elemis toiletries, and the fluffiest robes and slippers. In the separate lounge area, squishy sofas, a Nespresso machine, a fridge with free soft drinks and huge windows out onto the garden meant we had everything we needed for a good few hours’ lounging. For dinner we visited Byron’s Restaurant. This is Seaham Hall’s fine dining offering and the vibe is one of opulent indulgence (Lord Byron has history here – he married the daughter of a past owner). A pewter-topped oak bar sweeps along one side of the grand high-ceilinged room. Prized tables are the velvet-lined curved booths in the corners of the room and the rest is made up of intimate small tables. Afternoon tea is also a highlight at the hotel. Served in the lounge at the back of the hotel, overlooking immaculately tended gardens, it’s not to be missed. The spa experience After a brisk walk along the coast (a path at the back of the hotel leads you directly down to the sea) we attempted to burn off some more calories before dinner with a trip to the Serenity Spa. Even if you are not booked in for a treatment the spa facilities are great. As well as a huge pool surrounded by loungers there is a separate hydrotherapy pool, plunge pools, salt sauna, Indian steam room, jacuzzi and outdoor hot tub. You can even pop into the next-door Ozone restaurant in your robe for a coffee or a glass of fizz. Check rates and availability at seaham-hall.co.uk Sofitel St James, London Looking for a day spa option? Boasting a 60-minute massage, three-course meal by a Michelin-starred chef and spritz cocktail, all for just £130, there’s no need to feel guilty about pampering yourself with the Spa and Spritz for One at Sofitel London St James by Pall Mall. As well as being fantastic value for money, the seasonal spa menu by Anthony Demetre at Wild Honey is light and elegant without feeling puritanical. A crisp and yielding pig’s head terrine is among the starters, and mains might include tender rabbit in a gloriously sticky jus, or miso-glazed Cornish skate with a refined take on cheesy peas. Ask about the tart of the day and snap up the gypsy tart if it’s on offer – lusciously dark with caramelised muscovado sugar, yet not too sweet. All this comes after the massage and before the spritz. In summer, watch the world go by on a Parisian-style terrace with one of six cocktails, including an understated pear and ginger, signature blends with rose or grapefruit, or the classic Aperol. In chillier weather, huddle up with a drink in the cosy art deco bar. The spa experience From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, no aching muscle will be left untended in the thorough, full-body massage that comes with this package. Sip a herbal tea (served with buttery shortbread) while you wait and choose your oils – among them, Sothys’ zesty orange blossom and cedarwood, or festive cinnamon and ginger – then settle in for an hour of warm, enveloping luxury. Given you’re just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus, the spa area is a quiet haven, but the relaxation room is small, so be mindful that you may be relegated to the armchair rather than one of three luxe recliners. In all, though, for the money being asked, this is five-star treatment at a steal. Spa & Spritz for One package, £130, at sofitellondonstjames.com More hotel guides Best hotels in Wales Best health and wellness retreats Best Scottish hotels Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Best foodie day trips from London by train
Perthshire, the gateway to the Highlands, has a fast-growing food scene that has earned its reputation of being one of Scotland’s most up-and-coming food destinations
Looking for Perthshire restaurants? Check out our ideas for eating and drinking in the region, from Perth to Dunkeld and beyond… For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks and the UK's best artisan bakeries. Now discover the best restaurants in Nottingham, best restaurants in Newcastle, best restaurants in Belfast and best restaurants in Leeds. Best places to eat and drink in Perthshire Aran Bakery Drawing regular queues to its snug 200-year-old home, this bakery in Dunkeld by former Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden is a local phenomenon. Laminated layers of croissants shine, buttery sausage rolls (pork, apple and sage is a go-to) and focaccia sandwiches sell out at speed, and the brownies and sweet and savoury danishes can’t be missed. A roster of seasonal bakes keeps regulars guessing but Flora’s cardamom buns remain the favourite. Grab a windowsill perch and watch the world go by, or order a takeaway to enjoy by the river. aran-bakery.com Gleneagles This stately escape for food lovers has six distinct dining rooms across its grand estate. At The Strathearn’s Gatsby-inspired dining room the sharing beef wellington is the headline act on the set menu, followed by tableside theatre in the famous flambéed crêpes suzette. Take a night cap at art deco The American Bar but don’t go overboard as an indulgent morning awaits. Gleneagles’ extravagant breakfast room features pancake stations, juice and caprese salad bars, and Scottish staples including haggis and smoked salmon. gleneagles.com North Port In Perth’s cultural heart North Port champions Scottish produce with modern flair. Menus are short, seasonal and grounded in relationships with small growers, foragers and producers. Arbroath smokies pair neatly with Fife-grown beetroot, while Ayrshire potatoes arrive dressed in delicate herbs and a Black Isle rib-eye lands coated with chef-owner Andrew Moss’s mouth-watering house garlic butter. If it’s available the homemade haggis is a must-order. thenorthport.co.uk Redwood Wines There may be more than 5,000 miles between Dunkeld and Napa Valley but this small restaurant and wine bar brings a flavour of California to Scotland. Morgwn Preston-Jones and his wife Roseanna make the most of family ties to wineries, pouring exclusive bottlings to accompany lunch or dinner. To eat, expect handmade pastas, peak-season vegetables and Scotland’s best Aberdeen Angus roast beef sandwich. Despite having few tables the communal wooden dining bench in the centre fills up with locals and travellers. It’s the kind of place where a quick glass becomes dinner. redwoodwines.co.uk Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier Grandtully’s award-winning chocolate shop and café is a pilgrimage that any sweet-toothed traveller should embrace. Watch the chocolatiers at work and book an audio-guided tasting, including signature velvet chocolate truffles, then get cosy in the lounge with a thick, luxurious and glossy hot chocolate made for slow sipping. Shelves are lined with pralines, seasonal boxes and gifts to take home. highlandchocolatier.com Monachyle Mhor Set on a working farm, this lochside hotel in Balquhidder is surrounded by wilderness. There’s a huge emphasis on foraging, preserving and growing produce, with daily changing dishes served in the informal dining room for lunch or dinner. Of the outdoor activities on offer a favourite is the wine safari. Starting with breakfast and a glass of bubbles at sister venue Mhor 84, guests experience a hillside food demonstration with drinks, lochside wine tasting, plus a fire-lit feast paired with outstanding bottlings. It’s the perfect day out. Pay the bakery Mhor Bread in Callander a visit, too. monachylemhor.net The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart A contemporary village retreat, The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart lets local seasonal ingredients shine. When the sun breaks, the terrace is the spot for small plates and cocktails, and inside the dining room keeps things relaxed yet elevated. Nearby sister venue Ballintaggart Farm runs cookery classes and spirited feast nights through the seasons celebrating Easter, Bonfire Night, Christmas and Hogmanay, always drawing a loyal, hungry crowd. Before you leave browse the on-site shop shelves for homemade goods including the excellent granola. ballintaggart.com/grandtully-hotel Restaurant Andrew Fairlie Tucked within Gleneagles, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie offers an intimate dining experience where service is precise and intentional. Retaining two Michelin star recognition since 2006, the kitchen leans on classical French techniques and seasonal fare, featuring produce harvested from the secret kitchen garden. Highlights include herb-crusted lamb loin, hand-dived scallops and homegrown cep mushrooms, plus Andrew’s signature smoked lobster. Those ordering the seven-course tasting menu are treated to exclusive dishes including roe deer and caviar. andrewfairlie.co.uk The Taybank Set on the banks of the River Tay, this independent hotel, bar and restaurant showcases seasonal produce from the walled garden in dishes including the Tokyo turnip salad, Perthshire venison haunch and Gigha halibut. Scottish trad sessions with artists such as fiddler Liam Manion take place regularly on Thursdays in the cosy bar but, for an extra special experience, book a long table event by the riverside. Tables are brimming with flowers and candles, and it’s a convivial experience to meet locals. There’s also a sauna with breathtaking views, so you can dine and relax in style. thetaybank.co.uk Killiecrankie House At Killiecrankie House on the outskirts of Pitlochry, dinner unfolds in a multi-course journey that nods to Japanese kaiseki while showcasing Scotland’s larder. Expect playful plates of beef tartare with caviar, mackerel with yuzu and beetroot with gochujang, plus signature dripping fried porridge, a nod to Scots tradition. The drinks list features sakes and Chinese wines alongside Scottish spirits. The chef’s table is undoubtedly the best seat, and the bedrooms upstairs make it easy to turn an excellent fine-dining meal into a short escape. killiecrankiehouse.com Foodie neighbourhood Crieft This charming Highland Perthshire town may have once been a fashionable Victorian getaway spot but Crieff’s quietly bubbling food scene has reinvented it as a must-visit haven. Home to the country’s most in-demand restaurant, executive chef Mark Donald and his team have manoeuvred The Glenturret Lalique to two Michelin star recognition. Attached to Scotland’s oldest working distillery, the restaurant is a high-end gastronomic experience which blends tradition with art. Artisan bakeries are having their moment. Ems and Co pastry shop has a daily changing menu of 12 different cakes, twisted buns and eclairs, while Damsel Bakery around the corner is committed to bringing the best sourdough to the area. Expect croissants, iced finger rolls, savoury buns and more. A 10-minute drive from Crieff, you’ll find the whimsical Gorse Café, a woodland café nestled in nature at Comrie Croft, home to jaw-dropping sandwiches (open April-October). For a sensational Sunday lunch five minutes’ drive from Crief, historic spot Coorie Inn is the perfect relaxing getaway with a side of local fare. Try the North Sea crab and Perthshire pork belly or, if you want a Sunday lunch centrepiece, pre-book the corn-fed whole roast chicken. A standard king room is from £195, book direct for the best rates. More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Glasgow Best restaurants in the Lake District Best restaurants in Brighton
The top foodie neighbourhoods in 11 UK cities
Discover 11 of the UK’s best neighbourhoods for food lovers, brimming with artisan bakeries, wine bars, destination restaurants and more
Take a culinary tour of the UK's most unique neighbourhoods for food lovers, from the bohemian streets of Brighton’s Kemptown, to the creative buzz of Sharrow Vale in Sheffield. Expect to find everything from bustling food halls and innovative fine dining, to specialist coffee shops, natural wine bars and local markets packed with artisanal produce. Whether you’re a long-time local or visiting for the weekend, these neighbourhood gems are essential stops for foodies looking to eat and drink well. The foodiest neighbourhoods in UK cities Sharrow Vale, Sheffield On and around Sharrow Vale Road, this inner suburb offers a concentrated cluster of indie shopping, green space (Endcliffe Park) and great food, from hip bakery, café and grocer Tonco, to legendary chip shop Two Steps, which dates to the 19th century. Foodies can fill their totes at Porter Brook Deli, discerning wine, spirit and beer store Starmore Boss, or coffee roaster and speciality tea retailer Pollards, on Ecclesall Road. Look out for Sharrow Vale Market too. Refuel as you go with a flat white (Corner Store or Porter Coffee), exceptional doughnuts at bakery-café Eve Kitchen, a glass of wine at The Harritt or pints in the charming The Beer House or fellow micropub, Loxley Brewery’s No 3 Sharrow. At fishmonger JH Mann you can buy fresh fish and eat lunch (Tue-Sat, 11am-3pm). Choose your seafood and have it cooked and served with sides of, for example, salt cod mash, lobster sauce, dhal or seasonal vegetables. Looking for brunch? Local fave, Made by Jonty, has you covered. Later, head to Porter Pizza (for stellar Neapolitan-style pizza) or Six and a Half, a hot 2025 opening where live-fire cooking creates dishes such as harissa venison with mint yogurt and crispy spiced onions. Bold Street and Ropewalks, Liverpool When locals talk of Bold Street they mean not just that main drag but also the grid of streets (aka Ropewalks) it sandwiches with Duke Street. In the past decade, that compact area has proven a fertile ground for bars, restaurants and nightlife. Where once Matta’s International Foods or treasured veggie-vegan veteran, The Egg Cafe, were foodie outliers, second gen pioneers such as boho café-bar Leaf, ace Levantine restaurant Maray, and Bold Street Coffee (do not miss its toasted brioche brekkie sandwiches) put Bold Street on the map and helped attract many flavour-forward indies to the area, from Liverpool and beyond. Today, those originals share Bold Street with, for example, Middle Eastern and North African spot Bakchich, coffee/wine bar Ropes & Twines and hot imports from across the north, including Fat Hippo burgers, Leeds-based Gujarati snack geniuses Bundobust and doughnut kiosk Gooey. The story is the same on the surrounding streets where local faves such as Hibiki Sushi & Ramen, cocktail bar Berry and Rye or Duke Street Market operate alongside growing northern brands such as Neapolitan-style pizza crew Rudy’s. Given its ultra-central location it is but a short hop from Bold Street to everything else, too. You could, for example, walk to specialist beer bar Dead Crafty, or Hope Street pub and dining room, The Dog & Collar, in 10 minutes. From Bold Street, Liverpool, if not the world, is your oyster. Pontcanna and Canton, Cardiff A short hop from Cardiff Central Station, handsome inner suburb, Pontcanna, is a distinctive enclave of Victorian villas and splendid parklands which, with neighbouring Canton, is home to an easily navigable cluster of indie boutiques, cultural hubs (most notably, Chapter Arts Centre) and on-point food venues. In Gorse, Heaneys and Thomas, some of Cardiff’s best restaurants share adjacent Pontcanna streets. But options go deeper than fine dining. The excellent bakery-cafés, Ground and Scandi-owned Brød, for example, offer casual victuals in various forms. Café and bar, Milkwood, serves “the best brunch in Cardiff,” enthuses chef Leyli Homayoonfar, owner of the South Walian Mexican street food brand, Bab Haus. Over at Kings Road Yard, you will find the Pipes brewery, The Wardrobe Coffee Shop, Tom’s wood-fired pizza and, among other events, a weekly Saturday produce market. Continue shopping at the discerning Al Ponte Deli or The Bottle Shop, before combining the retail therapy with drinks at Canton’s Corp Market (check wine shop Vin Van Cymru and Khione Sicilian deli) or Crafty Devil Brewing’s Cellar tap bar and shop. Hungry again? Head to Ffwrnes’s NY slice inspired spin-off, West Pizza. West End, Glasgow Glasgow's West End, a leafy, bohemian, student-y enclave, loosely sandwiched between Kelvingrove Park and Byres Road, remains a must-see, particularly for first-time visitors. From chilled riverside beers at Inn Deep to rolling street-food party, Dockyard Social, good burgers (Bread Meats Bread) or wood-fired pizza (Paesano), to the one-Michelin-starred Cail Bruich, all food life is here. Moreover, in the West End, such attractions are contained in an easily navigable pocket. You can go foodie shopping at cheesemonger I.J. Mellis, Lupe Pintos deli, the Grunting Growler beer shop and bar or Valhalla’s Goat for various “liquid treasures”; drink ace coffee (roasteries Black Pine or Papercup); visit great bakery-cafes (Cottonrake, SugarFall Patisserie, Tantrum Doughnuts); or local classics such as deli and restaurant, Eusebi, all within an area that is walkable, welcoming and as architecturally attractive as it is delicious. Altrincham, Manchester Though a strictly separate place, we've pinpointed Altrincham as great neighbourhood to visit while you're in Manchester. Certain areas in central Manchester, notably Ancoats, are dense with bakeries, bars and restaurants. But in its suburbs and satellite towns, such as Rusholme, Sale, Stockport or Prestwich, (Greater) Manchester has a number of distinct food scenes worth exploring. Just 25 minutes from Manchester by tram, Altrincham is, arguably, the region’s top foodie destination. The rebirth of Altrincham Market as a handsome indoor food hall and covered artisan market has created great energy, locally. In Neapolitan-style pizza perfectionist Honest Crust or Great North Pie Co, the food hall set a high bar, which has attracted quality neighbours to the area, such as pasta kitchen Rigatoni’s and tapas ace Porta. Altrincham now has an abundance of superb pizza at Rudy’s, NY-inspired Nell’s and takeaway Pizza Anna. From one end of Altrincham (hip brunch spot, à bloc) to the other (Cheshire Cookery School), you will make exciting discoveries almost street by street. Be that in good coffee (Dose or Kickback), beer (Libero, Dunham Massey Brewing’s tap bar, Costello’s) or food at Italian Tre Ciccio, Lebanese and Syrian restaurant, Yara, Hong Kong food and beer bar Harcourt, or cute, compact Asuke Sushi. Arrive early at Alty Market, bag a sourdough loaf at award-winning bakery, Lovingly Artisan, and make a day of it. Cliftonville, Margate A short walk out of the town centre, this independent, artistic area is bookmarked by Margate’s landmark lido sign and striking Botany Bay, famous for its rock pools and chalk rock formations. Join creatives for brunch at Forts, known for its focaccia bacon sarnies, or go for a proper fry up at The Dalby Café, before browsing the bars, shops and galleries along Cliff Terrace, including stylish fragrance store, Haeckels (which also sells a delicious seaweed tea made from locally foraged seaweed and sold in gorgeous glass jars). A few streets back from the seafront is Northdown Road, home to some of Margate’s friendliest independent food businesses. Mori Mori is a cosy spot for tucking into sushi boxes and ramen, The Grain Grocer has your organic groceries covered, and Oast bakes a fabulous rotation of sourdough and sweet buns. Head back to the seafront to work up an appetite by strolling along the coastal path to Botany Bay or embracing the sea water with some lengths in Walpole Tidal Pool. Back inland from Walpole Bay, you can warm up with coffee and vinyl at Cliffs or make your way through Sète’s eclectic curation of wines and cheeseboards (they also throw a casual BBQ in the garden every Sunday in August). Kemptown, Brighton Brighton’s vibrant Kemptown neighbourhood runs east from the Palace Pier to the Marina. There you’ll find a potent mix of bohemia, sleaze and comfortable refinement, and some of the best food and drink in the city. A few steps from Old Steine Gardens, Redroaster/Lucky Khao serves excellent coffee from its own roastery by day and a menu of northern Thai small plates including pork larb to a banging soundtrack at night. A few minutes’ walk away, chef Tom Stephens (ex Simon Rogan and Tom Kerridge) serves exquisite hyper-local and seasonal tasting menus at Dilsk, an intimate and stylish dining room in Drakes Hotel. Beautifully presented dishes might include Orkney scallop with Cornish Mids potatoes and dilsk butter sauce. The set lunch and dinner menus offer exceptional value. Head further into Kemptown, past characterful local boozers like the Hand in Hand and boutique shops including Butlers Wine Cellar for a glass of natural wine in the secluded garden of the smart Daddy Longlegs gastro pub. Inside there’s floral banquette seating, white painted wall panelling and an enticing menu of small plates such as tempura cauliflower with gochujang – the Sunday roasts are legendary. Finish your night back near to where you started at The Plotting Parlour cocktail bar with its baroque red velvet, candle-lit interior and copper-clad bar. The inventive cocktails include Tumi made with mezcal, pisco, orgeat and chocolate ganache. Walcot, Bath Residents of buzzy and bohemian Walcot are spoiled for choice when it comes to food. You can get freshly made New York-style bagels at Taylor's Bagels, which has become so popular that it’s popped up in three locations in Bath so far. Highlights include the New Yorker (pastrami, sauerkraut, pickles and cheddar) and Bath bagel (beef brisket, pickles, cheddar and mustard mayo). A few doors up, Hudson Steakhouse covers all things meaty, but also offers plenty of cocktails. Or, sample recipes made with English ingredients and French techniques at all-day restaurant and café-bar Walcot House, set over two floors in an old bakery. On every visit to the unassuming corner of Walcot Street, Landrace bakery is doing something new and brilliant, most recently expanding into a fully fledged café with ample seating and a lovely, bright space to linger. Expect cinnamon and cardamom buns galore alongside its iconic breads. Nearby, you'll also find Didi Cakes – pick up something from its vast range of cupcakes (peanut butter, black forest and passionfruit cheesecake flavours among them), a slice of vegan banana bread or pear and almond tart, and eat in nearby Hedgemead Park. If you’re self-catering in Bath, make a beeline for some of its best independent food and drink stores, like The Fine Cheese Co. for cheeseboards and Wolf Wine for booze. Bishopthorpe Road, York Many visitors to York never stray beyond its ancient city walls. That is a mistake – turn right past Clifford’s Tower, for example, and you will soon find yourself on Bishopthorpe Road (Bishy Road, to locals). This cute enclave of small indie businesses and pavement cafés is abundant with good food at next-level bakery Flori, brunch-lunch faves Robinsons Café and Pig & Pastry, Trinacria’s gelateria, coffee and cake stop Stanley & Ramona, or the Good Food Shop deli, whose lush salads and sandwiches are useful if picnicking in nearby Rowntree Park. Later, check out bar, Angel on the Green, home to RAD’s pizza and hip supper clubs; chill in charming wine shop slash bar, 2 Many Wines; or visit legendary fine dining restaurant, Melton’s, now in its fourth decade and enjoying a second creative life under head chef, Calvin Miller. The traditional Bishy strip is growing, too. Last summer, Dark Horse, already purveyors of excellent coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches at Shambles Market, opened a café a short walk beyond the Bishy’s Scarcroft Road junction. Want to get a true taste of York? Bishy Road is the place to start. Wapping Wharf, Bristol Situated on Bristol's historic floating harbour, Wapping Wharf is one of the city's coolest and best loved neighbourhoods. And for good reason. It boasts a collection of shipping containers, homing some of the best independent restaurants, bakeries and bars in Bristol. Here you’ll find more casual dining, lunches to grab after a visit to Bristol's famous M Shed museum as well as harbourside evening dining. There’s well-known Bristol institution Root for vegetable, seasonal-led eating and Gambas for the most delicious and authentic waterside tapas (not to be missed, its famous pil pil prawns). For a quick bite grab a New York style bagel from Bagelrybox, served from an old horse box – this small menu doesn't skimp on quality with freshly baked, hand-rolled bagels filled with 10-hour smoked pastrami and all the trimmings. An ideal lunch alongside a coffee from Mokoko sat by the water. For finer dining head to Lapin, a small French eatery with modern twists. Try golden, comte gougeres, Brixham scallops with garlic butter and roast aubergine ratatouille with pistou. The perfect way to satisfy your after-dinner sweet tooth might require a trip to Swoon Gelato for its rich, creamy Italian artisan gelato – its pistachio and Bacio (hazelnut and chocolate) being nothing short of perfect. If you fancy grabbing anything for the road, independent supermarket Better Food stocks an array of great local Somerset produce, from cheeses to seasonal organic veg, delicious breads and local chocolate. Stockbridge, Edinburgh Perched on the Water of Leith river and blessed with eye-catching architecture, this hip, upmarket inner suburb is a very pleasant 25-minute walk from central Edinburgh. Beyond its period charms (check cobbled Insta fave, Circus Lane), it is also a tasty place to eat. Acclaimed fine-dining restaurants eòrna and Avery, the latter having previously operated in San Francisco, rub shoulders with ambitious gastropub the Scran & Scallie, basement small-plates joint Skua, and the Last Word Saloon, sister bar to legendary cocktail spot Bramble. Wine geeks will love pacesetting wine bar Smith & Gertrude (do not miss its grilled Montgomery cheddar sandwich) and the shopping opportunities at treasure troves Raeburn Fine Wines, Vino and newcomer Communiqué Wines. To accompany those wines, shop for food at Stockbridge Market (Sundays) or cheesemongers IJ Mellis or George Mewes. Before the steep climb back into Edinburgh, refuel on next-level croissants at revered bakery Lannan, or take a moment in craft beer haven Stockbridge Tap, or Edinburgh Cider Co’s The Cider House.
Experience and taste nature at the UK’s best luxury farm retreats, where farm-to-table dining showcases seasonal ingredients grown and reared on-site
From converted hay barns in South Devon to chicken-dotted hills in Glastonbury and hyper-seasonal cookery schools in Herefordshire, UK farm stays have seriously upped their game. Expect luxe roll-top baths, stylish shepherds’ huts with private lakes, and plates filled with produce grown in the very fields outside your window. With harvest season in full swing, farm-to-fork dining, agrotourism and immersive food experiences are giving the British countryside a fresh allure. In an age of digital detox, eco-conscious travel and wellness-led breaks, it’s no wonder many of us are trading city escapes for slow living, seasonal feasts and a closer connection to the land. Here are ten of the best spots to rest your head and fill your stomach. Best farm stays for food lovers Fowlscombe Farm, South Devon Tucked in the foothills of Dartmoor, Fowlescombe Farm is a quietly luxurious rural retreat where regenerative organic farming and contemporary comfort meet with a fork-to-table food ethos. Dating back to 1537, the estate’s original Victorian farmhouse and timeworn stone barns have been thoughtfully restored by director Caitlin Owens and her team. The result is an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with just 10 suites spread across four distinct buildings. Daily menus are shaped by the land and seasons. The Refectory’s kitchen table seats 10 with a view of the chef at work, where you can expect dishes such as silky courgette and apple velouté, sirloin of shorthorn beef with tomato confit and strawberry parfait with elderflower. Garden-to-glass gin and cocktail pairings add to the sense of place. The Meadow Suite offers uninterrupted views over wildflower fields and woodland from its private living room and vast bathroom. A weekly calendar of activities can be dipped into, with bespoke experiences on request. Guided yoga in the garden and sea swimming with a post-dip croissant and flask of tea will leave you feeling grounded. Cookery courses, guided farm tours and animal feeding deepen the connection to land and food. Check rates and availability at fowlescombe.com, booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Higher Farm, Somerset When the sun is shining, Higher Farm feels like a little corner of heaven. Founded by brothers Giacomo and Matteo Grasso on a former dairy farm, this ambitious regenerative project combines sustainable agriculture with hyper-seasonal, produce-led dining. Guests can wander the fifty-acre farm freely, meeting friendly pigs, cows, goats, horses and over a hundred ducks at the so-called Ducklingham Palace. Polytunnels and vegetable beds yield spinach, lettuces, herbs, tomatoes, sweet peas, broccoli and beetroot, much of which finds its way onto plates at the on-site farm cafe or into the farm’s veg box scheme, which you can pick your own and purchase for £18 a box. The airy barn-turned-café and restaurant seats 35, with open beams, stone walls and views over wildflower meadows and the lake, where guests can take a dip. From Thursday to Sunday, the farm partners with Rambling Hearth Sauna for a lakeside spa experience. Chef George Barson, formerly at River Cottage and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, champions vegetables alongside meat and fish. Signature dishes include tomato and ricotta salad, panisse, ham with buttery mash and parsley, and their famously indulgent slow-cooked layered chips. Desserts are light and seasonal, from roasted apricot sorbet to a decadent clotted cream cheesecake. Visitors can stay in one of two cosy en-suite nature cabins, waking to unparalleled views across the farm and surrounding countryside. Check rates and availability at higher-farm.co.uk Tewinbury Farm, Herefordshire Only half an hour from London by train, Tewinbury Farm is the mother of all luxury farmstays. The 700-acre working farm is dotted with cosy woodland huts and shepherds’ lodges alongside the grand family house, where lakeside tubs make lazy mornings and sunset soaks feel indulgent. Each en-suite room comes fully equipped with hobs and tea and coffee-making facilities, making self-catering a pleasure and pets are most welcome. The Cowshed restaurant champions the farm’s own produce, embracing a “yards-not-miles” ethos and working with local makers and creators. Seasonal menus feature everything from farm-reared steaks to cauliflower shawarma, while the cookery school, launched in 2022, lets guests get hands-on with the freshest ingredients. Three generations of the Williams family keep the farm running. The grandfather, who founded the farm in 1931, father Vaughn and uncle Ivor (who still lives on the farm) oversee daily life, and the estate is now in the hands of brothers Jack, Tom and Sam, with youngest son Jack, cooking since he was 15, leading a team of 25 in the kitchen. Former farm buildings and outbuildings have been converted into 60 rooms, a granary kitchen, a chill-out tented area and an outdoor pizza oven. Add a flower farm, a lively wine bar with live music, special outdoor Roots lunches and dinners right on the allotment gardens, and wandering sheep, pigs and llamas, and it’s a serene escape with endless things to do and where food, nature and family run the show. Check rates and availability at tewinbury.co.uk or booking.com River Cottage, Axminster Pioneered by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in 1990, River Cottage has long championed food that inspires change. From seasonal feasts and weddings to private events and food workshops, the ethos follows the slow food movement, celebrating seasonal, organic and wild ingredients. At the on-site café and farm shop, chefs put vegetables centre stage with dishes such as confit garlic mushrooms with wilted greens on sourdough toast and courgette and basil bruschetta with Westcombe ricotta. The cookery school offers a hands-on way for visitors to connect with food and learn new skills. Accommodation is set in the three-bedroom farmhouse and annexe, right on the land. Guests can book individual rooms, the entire cottage or a one-bedroom cabin for a memorable, off-grid experience closer to nature. Each room features beamed ceilings, roll-top freestanding baths, fluffy robes and access to a cosy living space with a wood-burning stove. Visitors can enjoy unlimited tea and coffee, sweet treats from the chefs and a fully equipped AGA kitchen to cook their own feasts. Look out over the barn and the farmer’s garden, making it the perfect spot to sip coffee, watch the plants sway in the wind and see the bees at work. Check rates and availability at rivercottage.net or booking.com Pennard Hill Farm, Glastonbury Nestled in the rolling Mendip Hills, Pennard Hill Farm is a boutique farmstay where rustic charm meets thoughtful luxury. Guests can choose from cosy en-suite rooms with a warm farmhouse feel, complete with an open-plan AGA kitchen, living space and natural brick walls, or opt for the Tree Tent, a suspended spherical glamping pod strung between trees that offers panoramic views and a magical, intimate connection to the outdoors. A dreamy place to curl up with a book, unwind, reconnect with nature and watch the cows wandering around in the next-door field. The farm itself is a working regenerative haven. Guests can wander past Herdwick sheep, Mangalitza pigs and rare Bresse chickens, or explore the extensive no-dig vegetable gardens. Seasonal feasts run throughout autumn and winter; they’re dictated entirely by what is grown and reared on-site, from cured meats and garden vegetables to pasta, risotto and wild game. Ingredients are chosen for flavour, welfare and sustainability, using methods inspired by Mediterranean preservation techniques. At Pennard Hill, every detail – from the rooms and interiors to the food and farm life – is considered with care. Check rates and availability at pennardhillfarm.co.uk Paradise Farm, Norwich Paradise Farm lives up to its name, offering postcard-perfect countryside escapes just outside Norwich. Part of Restaries, the luxury retreats created by founders Gem Boner and Thom Scherdel, it sits on the grounds of a 16th-century Suffolk farm once home to cider production and New World Music distribution. Spread across 10 acres, the farm is a wonderland to explore. Magical woodland paths, wild meadows, vegetable and fruit cages, lavender gardens, ponds and manicured lawns provide endless nooks to wander. For those who’d rather soak and swim, there’s a 15-metre heated pool with an infinity swim machine that offers a serene escape. Guests may spot resident muntjac, ducklings paddling in the ponds, Herdwick sheep, Mangalitza pigs, Bresse chickens, pygmy goats and Valais Blacknose sheep, while ducks and geese roam freely. The Cider Store, a converted barn and the first Restaries space, features three beautifully styled bedrooms with king and super-king beds and sleek en-suite bathrooms. Open-plan living spaces include log burners, bespoke sofas and a designer kitchen. Outside, the private terrace is fully equipped for the ultimate pizza or barbecue party, with a Gozney Arc XL pizza oven and Kamado Joe grill, all overlooking paddocks where seasonal florals and greenery blossom and curious animals pop their heads in. Check rates and availability at restaries.com or booking.com The Farm at Avebury, Wiltshire In the shadow of Silbury Hill, The Farm at Avebury is where Neolithic landscape meets modern farm-to-fork living. Known as Galteemore Farm since the 1890s and in the Hues family for four generations, this working farm has been reimagined with six luxury self-catering homes — beautifully converted stables and barns stocked with homely touches (local guidebooks, still-warm brownies, freshly made sourdough) to ground you in Wiltshire. Food is at the heart of the stay. Hosts and owners, Alice and Rob, who live here with their three daughters, bring a passion for provenance to everything they do. Their woodland-grazed Oxford Sandy Black pigs roam freely in the woods, while Hereford and Angus cattle graze the water meadows before overwintering on hay and barley grown on-site. The result? Pork, beef and lamb with depth of flavour, alongside golden cold-pressed rapeseed oil, charcuterie and homemade ready meals sold under their ABVRY label. The on-site farm shop brims with local produce — apple juice, rapeseed oil, milk, sourdough and butter — while this year’s proudest launch is nitrate-free sausages, blushing pink with beetroot powder. Guests can also feast at The Farmhouse Table, join butchery or sourdough workshops, or unwind at yoga retreat days. Check rates and availability thefarmatavebury.co.uk or booking.com Coombeshead Farm, Cornwall Set across 66 acres of rolling meadows, ancient woodland and oak-lined streams, Coombeshead Farm in Lewannick offers both glorious isolation and rustic comfort. Its nine cosy bedrooms and two-bedroom cottage feel homely and unpretentious, but the real star here is the food. Chef Tom Adams co-owns the farm and restaurant, which opens Thursday to Sunday in summer with a set menu that tells the story of the land. A small no-dig garden supplies the kitchen with fruit and vegetables, grown without chemicals and in harmony with the soil. Dexter beef, Mangalitza pork, guinea fowl and chickens are all reared on site and butchered in-house. The pork is transformed into silky air-dried hams, plump sausages and rich charcuterie, while monthly Farm Boxes deliver a little of Coombeshead’s spirit to kitchens across the country. The bakery, run by Ben Glazer, fills the courtyard with the warm scent of sourdough. Heritage grains, stone-ground on site or grown nearby at Gothelney Farm, are baked into loaves that supply restaurants and farm shops across the West Country. The farm also hosts bakery mornings, selling coffee and pastries fresh from the ovens, as well as workshops throughout the year, from pottery and willow weaving to cookery classes. In winter, the restaurant and rooms close, but the farm becomes available for private hire, inviting groups to gather, feast, and savour this peaceful pocket of Cornish countryside. Check rates and availability at coombesheadfarm.co.uk Nest Farmhouse, Norfolk Perched on a thousand-acre farm at the highest point of North Norfolk, the farmhouse is a charming haven with luxurious little comforts throughout your stay. The open-kitchen restaurant, lounge and bar, and five king-size bedrooms look out across sweeping East Anglian skies. The bedrooms are soft and serene, painted in gentle pastels with king-size beds, luxurious linens, and a mix of modern and vintage furnishings. Bathrooms are stocked with Austin Austin products. In summer, guests can enjoy waterside barbecues, outdoor mindful pilates or simply linger, soaking up the light and the view. Just a short stroll from the restaurant, a reeded pond catches the light in the summer, perfect for a glass of something chilled or a moment of stillness. Co-founders Luke Wasserman, Johnnie Crowe and Toby Neill, the team behind London’s Nest and Restaurant St. Barts, bring their produce-first approach to the countryside. Head chef Grant Cotton, a local with years of experience in the group’s London kitchens, leads a menu where everything is made in-house. Fresh breads, creamy butters, delicate ice creams and cured meats showcase the best of Norfolk’s seasonal bounty. If visiting during the summer months, there are plenty of pondside barbecue events and outdoor pilates. Check rates and availability at nestfarmhouse.co.uk or booking.com Nancarrow Farm, Truro Nancarrow Farm is a 100-acre certified organic sanctuary tucked into a south-facing Cornish valley near Truro. Farmed by the same family for nine generations, it is alive with deer grazing the fields, flocks of sheep roaming the pastures, and cattle and lamb producing award-winning meat. Since 2011, Steve and Lucy Chamberlain have opened the farm’s barn doors to the public, creating a farm-to-table restaurant, micro-bakery and immersive experiences that let guests feel the land beneath their feet and taste the freshest produce. Accommodation is spread across lovingly restored buildings. The Grade II-listed Old Mill offers five luxury en-suite bedrooms and a spacious open-plan kitchen and living area for communal dining or quiet retreat. The former chicken shed has been transformed into a light-filled suite, and three handcrafted shepherds' huts sit quietly in the orchard. The farm’s calendar is alive with hands-on experiences. Guests can join Pasture to Plate workshops, exploring nose-to-tail butchery and woodfire cooking, or gather for seasonal feasts and harvest suppers. A micro-bakery produces sourdough from heritage grains, the kitchen garden yields vegetables for the table, and every day is rooted in the rhythms of the land. At Nancarrow, the countryside is lived, tasted and savoured in a deeply Cornish style. Check rates and availability at nancarrowfarm.co.uk More travel inspiration Best Italian hotels for food lovers to visit Best European mountain escapes Best Mediterranean islands for foodies 5 coolcations ideas for food lovers 10 UK and European hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants 10 unique walking holidays for food lovers 11 UNESCO cities of gastronomy to visit 12 foodies share the European holiday destinations you need to know
Try elephant’s foot buns, feather-light puri, cocktails made from just-picked nuts, bottles of local beer, Scandi-meets-Japanese cuisine, and handmade donuts in the Steel City
Looking for Sheffield restaurants? Check out our ideas for eating and drinking in the Steel City, from West Bar to Endcliffe Park and beyond… For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks and the UK's best artisan bakeries. Now discover the best restaurants in Nottingham, best restaurants in Newcastle, best restaurants in Belfast and best restaurants in Leeds. Best places to eat and drink in Sheffield Orange Bird Modish Hillsborough restaurant, much-liked for its friendly vibe and the creative vim of chef Matt Duggan-Jones. Sharing dishes draw on Matt’s South African heritage and cleverly utilise global flavours in creations such as his caramelised aubergine with masala butter, cherry molasses, curry leaves and coconut labneh, or a braai-barbecued pork rib chop, seasoned with an hibiscus-tweaked braai spice mixture and served with plum, green tomato and black cardamom jam. theorangebird.co.uk Bench Owners, chef Tom Aronica and drinks expert Jack Wakelin, are a dynamic duo. Their Nether Edge HQ, Bench, is the kind of cool and casual neighbourhood restaurant where on-point cocktails and interesting natural wines are served with unusually good, creative small plates. Think ember-roasted beetroot, blood orange and chimichurri, or cured trout, salted kohlrabi, roe and grapefruit. benchsheffield.co.uk Pearl at Park Hill Located amid the famous brutalist 1960s estate that rises behind Sheffield station, Pearl is the Bench team’s new wave ‘local’ for this recently regenerated neighbourhood. Primarily a bar (good beer, cocktails, natty wine and large sun terrace, too), Pearl’s plates menu is a colourful carte of, for example, spanakopita, merguez-stuffed onions or grilled artichokes with saffron aïoli. Neighbouring sister venue, Bench La Cave, is a daytime bakery, led by Dan Ward, and, at night, a wine bar serving Parisian-style grazing plates. pearlatparkhill.co.uk Napoli Centro This cute, compact 16-seater pays homage to Naples in myriad colourful artefacts (from football scarves to vintage drinks ads) and memorable Neapolitan-style pizzas. Delicious to the last bite of their billowing cornicione rims, Napoli Centro’s 48-hour proved bases are topped with vibrant combinations such as fior di latte, capers, olive and anchovies or fennel sausage, friarelli, chilli flakes and smoked provola cheese. napolicentro.co.uk Depot Bakery A neighbour of Peddler Market (where you will find Depot on coffee-and-cake duty), this industrial unit bakery-café is much loved for its sourdoughs and sweet bakes: from cinnamon brioche knots to an epic salted caramel brownie. Its diverting brunch dishes include, for example, brioche french toast with bacon, maple syrup and fried eggs, or eggs florentine. Depot has a second café venue in Hillsborough Park. thedepotbakery.co.uk Peddler Market The once industrial area of Kelham Island and Neepsend is, these days, equally busy with bars, food venues, apartments and office space. Peddler Market is a monthly indoor-outdoor warehouse street food party with DJs, live music, artist-maker stalls and discerning booze options. In December, Peddler will host its 100th Sheffield event. peddler.market Ashoka Established in 1967, this distinctive Indian restaurant is, today, a spry, modern space. One that serves an innovative puri dish, seasoned with Sheffield’s beloved condiment, Henderson’s Relish, but which keeps it traditional where it matters. For example, using a charcoal-fired tandoor to cook its grilled meats. Expect dhals of soul-stirring depth and mains, from Persian-style lentils to a ‘railway’ curry of lamb and potatoes, which make deft, layered use of whole and freshly ground spices. ashoka1967.com Leah’s Yard Grade II-listed Leah’s Yard is now an attractive hub of modern independent endeavour, with food and drink a feature at Barks Wine Shop; beer shop slash micropub Hop Hideout and deli-café Mesters Market – showcase of local produce, Mesters Market includes the Marco @ Milano counter, where chef Marco Giove serves Italian sandwiches, pastas, risottos and more. Bean-to-bar chocolate maker, Bullion (which runs tours at its Kelham Island production facility) also has its Chocolate Bar café here. leahsyard.com Cambridge Street Collective After impressing at Neepsend’s Cutlery Works, food hall creator, Blend, last year launched this three-storey, 1,200-seat, city centre extravaganza. 20 kitchens offer a smorgasbord of food options, from Ethiopia and Eritrean dishes (House of Habesha) to Greek pitta wraps (Gyros Express). Further entertainment runs from DJs and an augmented reality darts zone, to kids’ crafting sessions and cooking classes at the Blend Culinary Foundation. cambridgestreetcollective.com Elm By day this handsome space (raw plaster walls, stylish 20th-century furniture) serves great coffee, elevated grilled cheese sandwiches and tinned fish with sourdough toast and citrus-herb butters. At night (Wed-Sat), talented chef, Nathan Wall, offers a four- or seven-course menu of fascinating dishes. These have ranged from kombu-cured trout with roasted sesame, citrus ponzu, broccoli purée and radish, to a cheese scone with Sheffield honey and Baron Bigod cheese. elmsheffield.co.uk Foodie experiences JÖRO Luke French is that rare chef who, in tasting menu dishes of scallop with kampot pepper, aged beef fat, spruce and finger lime, or trout with kinome leaf and a sea buckthorn and yuzu kosho beurre blanc, can elicit excited double takes at his innovative deployment of flavours. Previously in the city centre, Jöro now has a semi-rural home at Oughtibridge Mill. This new site includes guest apartments, a bar (serving snacks) and an outdoor BBQ kitchen. jororestaurant.co.uk Sheffield Beer Week Sheffield is one of Britain’s great beer cities, home to many charismatic pubs (three personal faves being Shakespeare’s, Rutland Arms and The Fat Cat) and acclaimed breweries ranging from evergreen cask beer ace Abbeydale to Saint Mars of the Desert, adventurers at beer’s creative outer reaches. Annually, in March, this abundance of great ale is celebrated in a week of tours, talks, tastings and food events. sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk Public A former public toilet by the town hall, this small, subterranean space is now one of Britain’s best cocktail bars. Laid-back and coolly retromodern in its design, Public offers a very Sheffield take on cocktail culture. No bling, no gimmicks, no VIPs. Crisply executed drinks wow on quality and creative brainwaves such as drawing mango notes from raw butternut squash infusions, or adding savoury depth by washing bourbon with prosciutto fat. publicpublic.co.uk Foodie neighbourhood Sharrow Vale On and around Sharrow Vale Road, this inner suburb offers a concentrated cluster of indie shopping, green space (Endcliffe Park) and great food, from hip bakery, café and grocer Tonco, to legendary chip shop Two Steps, which dates to the 19th century. Foodies can fill their totes at Porter Brook Deli, discerning wine, spirit and beer store Starmore Boss, or coffee roaster and speciality tea retailer Pollards, on Ecclesall Road. Look out for Sharrow Vale Market too. Refuel as you go with a flat white (Corner Store or Porter Coffee), exceptional doughnuts at bakery-café Eve Kitchen, a glass of wine at The Harritt or pints in the charming The Beer House or fellow micropub, Loxley Brewery’s No 3 Sharrow. At fishmonger JH Mann you can buy fresh fish and eat lunch (Tue-Sat, 11am-3pm). Choose your seafood and have it cooked and served with sides of, for example, salt cod mash, lobster sauce, dhal or seasonal vegetables. Looking for brunch? Local fave, Made by Jonty, has you covered. Later, head to Porter Pizza (for stellar Neapolitan-style pizza) or Six and a Half, a hot 2025 opening where live-fire cooking creates dishes such as harissa venison with mint yogurt and crispy spiced onions. More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Glasgow Best restaurants in the Lake District Best restaurants in Brighton
A famously picturesque corner of Britain, popular with walkers and cyclists, the Dales also prides itself on its food – see the sights and tuck in
Looking for restaurants in the Yorkshire Dales? Check out the best places to eat in this picturesque corner of England, including cafés, bars and restaurants. Here's our local food and drink guide to the Yorkshire Dales… For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks, Yorkshire foodie guide and the best restaurants in York. For more city guides, try our best restaurants in Birmingham, best restaurants in Glasgow, and the best restaurants in Manchester. Foodie experiences in the Yorkshire Dales The Black Bull, Sedbergh At the Dales’ western edge (next stop, the Lake District) this stylish inn excels with its chic rooms and chef Nina Matsunaga’s distinctive cooking. The Bull does the rural inn bit impressively (great roasts, Monday’s pie night) but Nina also cleverly channels global influences in dishes such as cured mackerel, ajo blanco, orange and daikon or Herdwick lamb with liver sauce and tomato salsa. For more tasty Sedbergh action, swing by The Meat Hook butcher, micropub The Thirsty Rambler and The Dalesman inn. theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk Black Swan Hotel, Ravenstonedale A destination since Victorian times, this attractive Westmorlandvillage inn has in recent years emerged as an award-winning stand-out. In summer, diners spread out into the courtyard and a riverside beer garden. Nifty pub classics (fish pie, double cheeseburger with gouda and bacon jam) are served alongside cheffier dishes such as scallops with preserved lemon and pancetta or a popular cheese soufflé made with goat’s cheese from local farm Piper Hole. blackswanhotel.com The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale The geography of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is such that several market towns – Kirkby Lonsdale a particularly charming example – fall just outside its official border but attract many Dales visitors. Spruce pub with rooms, The Sun Inn, is a good Kirkby base. Its dishes run from lunch salads and sandwiches to sophisticated mains such as braised beef with creamed potato, celeriac and pancetta sauce. Also in town check out excellent butcher Dales, the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery tap The Royal Barn, and The Milking Parlour, home of cow to cone gelato-style ice creams made on the nearby dairy farm. sun-inn.info The Sandpiper Inn, Leyburn Jonathan Harrison, a 90s Roux Scholarship winner, is part of that generation of pioneering modern British chefs whose dedication to skilful scratch cooking revolutionised UK food. That approach has for more than 25 years made this gorgeous inn an essential for dishes as diverse as crab tagliatelle or crispy duck leg, mango salad, sauté potatoes and Asian dressing. Breads and ice creams are, of course, made in-house. thesandpiperinn.com Two Dales Bakery, Reeth Two Dales is a real bread advocate creating A1 sourdoughs, buttermilk-enriched sandwich loaves, patisserie and lush bakes. In the modish café you can brunch and lunch on french toast, serious sausage rolls, homemade soups and jazzy egg dishes, with smoked salmon or halloumi and pesto. Thursday’s takeaway pizzas are a hit with locals and holidaymakers. twodalesbakery.co.uk The Blue Lion, East Witton A handsome rural retreat that impresses, whether eating Isle of Mull cheddar rarebit at lunch in the bar (flagged floors, beams, local ales) or lingering over three courses in the restaurant. The menu is a classy crowd-pleaser in dishes such as homemade tagliatelle carbonara with guanciale (from ace charcuterie maker Cobbled Lane) or glazed pork belly with boudin noir, apple, charred Hispi and pickled mustard seeds. thebluelion.co.uk Hansom, Bedale Restaurant geeks have long tagged Ruth Hansom as one to watch and at her intimate restaurant, launched last year, this talented chef is cooking up something special in plates of, say, cured sea trout, kohlrabi, cucumber and smoked hollandaise or a Wensleydale cheese bread ’n’ butter pudding that is pressed, sliced and pan-fried in butter. Hansom’s centrepiece seven-course tasting menu changes constantly in reaction to peak seasonal, regional produce. hansomrestaurant.co.uk Grassington House, Grassington This restaurant with rooms is a go-to for numerous reasons: from afternoon tea to a summer G&T on its terrace, on pretty Grassington’s cobbled village square. In the kitchen chef-owner John Rudden, an experienced hand, ensures quality. The high-flying restaurant menu ranges from, for example, king scallop with chicken and wild mushroom tortellini, celeriac, chicken jus and seaweed velouté, to beef mignon with rag pudding, carrot purée, cabbage faggot an dred wine jus. grassingtonhouse.co.uk Rind, Austwick A satellite of London’s Cheese Bar, Rind shares a site with The Courtyard Dairy, where it creates beautiful wood-fired pizzas using British and Irish cheeses. The margherita is dressed with Old Winchester and UK mozzarella, while an eggs florentine inspired pizza has a sheep’s curd base and uses County Tipperary’s Cáis Na Tíre cheese. A funky canteen-style space with amazing views of the verdant Dales. thecheesebar.com The Angel at Hetton, near Skipton A legendary restaurant with rooms, this 15th century inn has experienced a chic, modern makeover under chef Michael Wignall, both in its interior styling and food. Michelin-starred tasting menus make intelligent, original use of the finest ingredients. Dishes might include the likes of marinated Isle of Mull scallop, blood orange, English wasabi and fennel or cod, kombu, cuttlefish and smoked pike roe. angelhetton.co.uk Foodie experiences Black Sheep Brewery, Masham On Nidderdale’s northern edge, Black Sheep’s visitor centre is a boon for beer fans. Drop in to sample classic Black Sheep cask ales at source or for greater insight into the brewery’s 30-plus years of history and the details of the brewing process itself – from the base mashing of malted barley upwards – take the brewery tour, available Thursday to Sunday. blacksheepbrewery.com Elsworth at the Mill, Skipton Husband and wife team Rebecca and chef Bruce Elsworth have worked in top-end Dales restaurants for years. Now, in an attractive event space at Skipton’s High Corn Mill, they run a busy programme of cooking demo with lunch sessions, personalised cooking classes and supper clubs, ranging from explorations of regional Italian cooking to collabs with artisan producers that celebrate the area’s vibrant food ecology. elsworthatthemill.co.uk Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes Originating in a 12th century Cistercian monastery, crumbly Wensleydale cheese endures as the Dales’ most famous food export. Visitors to the creamery can, as part of the ticketed ‘cheese experience’, watch a cheese-making demo and enjoy a guided tasting, as well as delving into that history. The chance to get a photo with Wensleydale fans Wallace & Gromit (here, life-size recreations woven in wool) is a fun bonus. wensleydale.co.uk Foodie town spotlight Settle This historic market town and the villages of surrounding Ribblesdale and Malhamdale are cultivating quite the food scene. In Settle, foodies are buzzing about the hip, crisply executed small plates at chef Iain Graham’s The Nettle restaurant. Elsewhere, refresh at High Street Coffee, micropub Millers @ Bar 13 or the Talbot Arms freehouse. For food shopping visit butcher and expert pie maker, Drake & Macefield, homewares store (and cute café) Car and Kitchen, Tuesday’s town market and Settle Artisan Market (second Sunday, monthly). Heading into the surrounding countryside, Lay of the Land is a small garden centre whose café, led by chef Jimmie Lay, is much-loved by discerning locals. As is Town End Farm Shop, a crucial outlet for regional artisan foods, including owner Chris Wildman’s charcuterie. Just a few miles from Settle, Austwick is home to the well-regarded hotel restaurant The Traddock and nationally significant food hub The Courtyard Dairy. The dairy retails up to 50 carefully matured cheeses from small farmhouse producers, houses a cheese museum and hosts events and cheese-making courses. It also shares its Crows Nest Barn location with pizzeria Rind, natural wine shop Buon Vino and artisan bakery Ambry. More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in the Lake District Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Liverpool Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate
Get it fresh at one of our favourite British beachside shacks, from cockle popcorn in Mumbles to takeaway whelks in Margate and kipper baps on the Northumbrian coast
Looking for Britain's best takeaway oysters? Or an authentic Craster kipper bun for lunch? Soak up the sun, enjoy the seaside views and guarantee yourself a laid-back, locally caught lunch at the team's favourite beach shack restaurants. For more seaside inspiration, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Deal or the best restaurants in Margate. Or read our guides to the best restaurants in Cornwall, the best places to eat and drink in Brighton and best restaurants in Bournemouth. The best beach shack restaurants in the UK Crab House Café, Dorset “On the water’s edge, where Weymouth meets Portland Bill, the Crab House Café is essentially a weather-beaten shack attached to an oyster farm. The oysters and local crabs take star billing on the menu, which can change twice a day depending on what’s landed by day boats working out of Poole, Weymouth or Brixham. Tables on the shingle outside look across Chesil Beach, and out to those same fishing boats that supply the kitchen.” crabhousecafe.co.uk Riley’s Fish Shack, Tynemouth “Day-boat fish from nearby North Shields Fish Quay is cooked over coals and showcased in dishes such as bang bang monkfish kebabs and hake with blackened Little Gem and capers. In the summer, tables, deck chairs and parasols extend the dining area onto the sand – on cooler days you can hire portable firepits and blankets.” rileysfishshack.com. Janine Ratcliffe, olive editor Crab Shed, Ventnor, Isle of Wight “Steephill Cove (aptly named) in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is renowned for the Crab Shed, right on the seafront. Queue for one of its famous crab pasties or mackerel ciabattas – well worth the wait.” facebook.com/crabshed. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food The Lobster Shack, North Berwick “The Lobster Shack on North Berwick’s harbour includes Tom Kitchin (Scotland’s youngest winner of a Michelin star) among its loyal customers. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood is on the menu, as well as show-stopping lobster and chips.” lobstershack.co.uk. Freya Bromley, contributing writer Gower Seafood Hut, Mumbles, Swansea “Freshly fried local fish (think fritto misto, calamari and cockle popcorn) served straight from a converted horse trailer, just metres from the water it was caught in. The team has also recently opened a permanent seafood deli for those wanting to take the taste home.”@gowerseafoodhut. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor Café Môr, Angle, Pembrokeshire “Now moored at The Old Point House pub with rooms, Café Môr dishes up award-winning seafood with a seaweed twist. Try buttery lobster rolls, crab baps and laverbread-laced burgers, all served from an iconic boat kitchen in the garden.” ​theoldpointhouse.wales. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor Pipers Pitch, Craster, Northumberland “Craster crab (and kippers) are as synonymous with Northumberland as Bamburgh Castle. The best way to try them both is in a Pipers Pitch bap – stop by this unassuming little hut in Craster Quarry car park for cooked herring in a bun (oak-smoked at nearby L.Robson & Sons), or seasonal dressed crab sandwiches made with crab caught that day. Perfect fodder for a coastal walk to nearby Dunstanburgh Castle (look out for the dolphins).” piperspitch.com. Charlotte Morgan, contributing sub editor The Company Shed, Mersea Island, Essex “Eat oysters and crab platters at the The Company Shed on Mersea Island, part of the family oyster business. Top tip: get there early to avoid the lines.” the-company-shed.com. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food Dungeness Snack Shack, Dungeness “There’s nothing like eating seafood with a view of the sea, and it’s even more special in the ethereal setting of Dungeness beach. The Snack Shack catches and cooks its own local fish and seafood in a simple way, letting the produce speak for itself.” dungenesssnackshack.com. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host Sargasso, Margate “Perched atop Margate’s iconic Harbour Arm is Sargasso, a wine bar set up by the owners of my favourite east London neighbourhood restaurant, Brawn. Order the set lunch of sourdough piled high with salted butter; steamed mussels clattering around in ’nduja-laced sauce; and a glass of small-batch albariño. Not hungry? Sip on a vermouth and soda instead, while marvelling at the views back to the old town.” sargasso.bar. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive The Hidden Hut, Cornwall “Sat on a coastal path above beautiful Porthcurnick Beach in Cornwall, The Hidden Hut is sister to The Standard Inn pub just up the hill. The outdoor kitchen resembles an army field kitchen and offers big beach salads and grilled seafood in the summer, plus local ice cream and homemade cakes. On a typical midsummer day, up to 2,000 customers are fed, many taking their food to the beach for those sea views.” hiddenhut.co.uk River Exe Cafe, Exmouth “Known by locals as ‘floating heaven’, this custom-built barge has the same relaxed vibe as any of our other recommended beach shacks. Accessible only by water taxi or boat, River Exe Café serves sharing platters loaded with hand-picked Brixham crab, steamed mussels and shell-on prawns, all enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Exe Estuary.” riverexecafe.com. Tara Smith, Devon contributor Mannings Seafood, Margate “This dinky Margate shack is British seaside heaven. Snack on take-away pots of cockles, whelks and prawns while strolling along the Harbour Arm, or order a platter of fresh seafood and oysters to enjoy on the beach with a bottle of champagne.” @manningsseafoodmargate. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive The Stowaway, Tenby “In the arches right next to Tenby harbour is The Stowaway, a specialty coffee shop that also serves food. It’s easily the best coffee for miles around and is a great spot to have a morning mocha while looking over the bay. Check its social media for opening times, as it changes depending on the season.” facebook.com/thestowawaytenbyharbour. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host More travel inspiration Best UK spa hotels for food lovers Best day trips from London by train Best seaside staycations Best restaurants in St Albans Best new restaurants in the UK Best holiday cottages for foodies Best autumn breaks Best cosy cabins for foodies Best restaurants in Bath Best UK afternoon teas Best Irish holidays
Discover the best restaurants in Belfast with everything from poutine to pizza on offer in Northern Ireland’s foodie capital
Looking for the best restaurants, bars and cafés in Northern Ireland’s foodie capital? Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford, aka GastroGays, the restaurant critics of the Sunday Times Ireland, share their their top recommendations alongside suggestions from Caroline Wilson, founder of Taste and Tour, Belfast’s premier food tour company. For more Ireland inspiration, discover the best Irish holidays. For more city dining guides, check out the best restaurants in Dublin, best restaurants in Cardiff, best restaurants in York and best restaurants in Liverpool. Jump to: Best places to eat and drink in Belfast 5 of the best Belfast pubs Where to stay in Belfast Best places to eat and drink in Belfast Neighbourhood – for an indulgent breakfast On Donegall Street, this handsome cafe styled like a plush sixties-bureau-meets-modern-Scandi-restaurant serves some of the best brunch dishes and coffee in the city. Don’t miss the croissant eggs benny or the seasonal French toast. neighbourhood.cafe Established – for coffee When Established opened the doors of its industrial-chic cafe in the Cathedral Quarter in late 2013 it sparked a revolution in Belfast’s coffee scene. Over a decade on it remains a beacon of quality and consistency, sourcing and roasting. Their food menu is also a massive draw, changing regularly with the seasons. Their bakes are similarly legendary, particularly the ‘pie and drip’ special, a slice of pie and a drip coffee for £7.50, available only on Sundays until sold out. established.coffee St George's Market – for a food market Saturday is the day the city’s historic Victorian covered market properly springs to life, packed with stallholders, street food traders and food and drink producers aplenty. Snack on dried dillisk/dulse and gulp oysters, try Young Buck blue cheese, pick up some Belfast Brew from Suki Tea and try Armagh apple juice, among other local delicacies. One floor up is the restaurant, Stock Kitchen and Bar, led by chef Danny Millar, where the menu sources a lot locally, including from the market below itself. This is also one of Belfast’s greatest breakfasts with a view — ask for a terrace table! @stgeorgesbelfast General Merchants – for brunch When General Merchants’ chef and co-owner Tim Fetherston first visited Australia, its brunch scene blew him away: “I fell in love with the coffee and café culture. Lots of fine-dining chefs were opening breakfast places. It was an epiphany.” That inspired the original east Belfast General Merchants on the Upper Newtownards Road and now the group boasts three further branches — Ormeau Road, Antrim Road and Stranmillis — plus a city centre hatch on Donegall Place. Its sunny all-day fusion breakfasts range from Mexican-inspired huevos rotos to Melbourne-style smashed avocado with Vegemite on Zac’s Bakehouse sourdough and hawker eggs, a Chinese chilli crisp scramble. Coffee is excellent with a rotating line-up of roasters, differing for espresso and drip. generalmerchants.co.uk Arcadia – for local produce A local institution, Arcadia deli first opened in 1933 and has been going strong ever since. It’s supportive of local producers so new produce hits its shelves first. Look out for Broighter Gold rapeseed oils, Abernethy butter (try the dulse and sea salt), Passion Preserved pickles (including spiced apple jelly and kasundi chutney), Corndale chorizo and Ispini charcuterie. arcadiadeli.co.uk mrDeanes – for a sleek bistro Legendary Belfast restaurateur Michael Deane has done it all, from casual dining to fine dining, burger and steak concepts to Michelin star success, not to mention most of Northern Ireland’s finest chefs having cut their teeth in his kitchens at one time or another, including Danni Barry and Alex Greene. In 2024, he totally restructured his mini empire around Howard Street, closed Michelin-starred EIPIC and reimagined the same space as a sleek bistro, bar and social called mrDeanes with a more accessible concept of classic dishes at a value price point, to which a Michelin Bib Gourmand followed almost immediately. michaeldeane.co.uk The Muddlers Club – for modern dining Deep within the Cathedral Quarter, The Muddlers Club bar and restaurant takes its name from a secret society that used to meet on the site 200 years ago. There’s nothing hush-hush about its operation now, though; sharp, modern food (think venison with parsley root, salt-baked beets and bitter cherry) served from an open kitchen. themuddlersclubbelfast.com Rattlebag – for cocktails Looking for the city’s best cocktails? Rattlebag at the Bullitt Hotel is an award-winning darkly lit, plush and intimate den serving keenly crafted sips from the classic to the experimental with lots of house-made tinctures, washes and oils. rattlebag.co.uk Coppi – for Italian food Located in St Anne’s Square in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, Coppi takes its inspiration from all regions of Italy, but when it comes to ingredients the kitchen looks to producers in Northern Ireland. “We work closely with local suppliers including award-winning farmer Peter Hannan – two of our signature dishes are Peter’s Tuscan spiced pork and fennel sausage cichetti and a steak florentine of salt-aged beef,” says Coppi’s Tony O’Neill. “The pasta we serve is freshly made daily in our production kitchen and the duck ragu, porcini mushroom ravioli and truffle has been on the menu from day one, along with our cichetti of feta fritters with truffled honey. I think there could be a riot if we tried to take them off the menu.” coppi.co.uk Flout – for pizza Fancy pizza? Ireland’s best Stateside-inspired slices are found at Flout! in east Belfast where Peter Thompson’s team sling a daily-changing line-up of slices, squares and rounds reflect the subtleties of US styles of pizza from deep dish and Detroit to New Haven and New York. flout.pizza Bodega Bagels – for bagels Find Brooklyn-inspired Bodega Bagels on Royal Avenue or Banana Block in east Belfast for freshly baked and filled bagels and popular boulder cookies. bodegabagels.co.uk Oui Poutine – for poutine Arguably Ireland’s best take on Canadian poutine comes from Oui Poutine which handily pitches beside The Big Fish statue on Donegall Quay Thursday to Saturday weekly from 12pm. ouipoutine.com 5 best Belfast pubs The Garrick A traditional Victorian boozer with wood-panelled walls and open fires, The Garrick has been one of Belfast’s best bars since 1870. You’ll find great session music and the city’s best champ, plus a range of local ales (try a Hilden’s Belfast Blonde or a MacIvors cider). thegarrickbar.com The Duke of York The Duke of York is found down the colourfully eclectic, umbrella-lined Commercial Court. Inside, get lost among the endless vintage beer and whiskey memorabilia pinned to every available surface (even the ceiling). thedukeofyorkbelfast.com The Crown The Crown is an institution, a grade A-listed gin palace dating back to the early 1800s on Great Victoria Street. The details really need to be experienced in person to be appreciated, this ‘liquor saloon’ is all mosaic tiles, brocade walls, carved woods, gold ceiling and stained glass windows. Try secure one of the coveted snugs for the best experience. nicholsonspubs.co.uk White’s Tavern To find Belfast’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1630, head up the skinny lane called Winecellar Entry to the original White’s Tavern which is like stepping a couple of hundred years. Expect hushed chatter, a roaring fire, a top Irish coffee and piping hot chowder with wheaten bread and butter. White’s also has a more contemporary beer hall, garden and store to the front but the tavern is where the real magic is. whitestavernbelfast.com The Sunflower The Sunflower is known generally as Belfast’s friendliest pub in contrast to its caged facade, a relic of the past which serves as a reminder of the social history of the city and The Troubles. Here you won’t find Guinness but a more eclectic and interesting array of craft brews and stout alternatives like Beamish on tap. sunflowerbelfast.com Where to stay in Belfast The Grand Central A large, luxury hotel in the heart of Belfast’s Linen Quarter. Expect panoramic views and Northern Ireland’s highest rooftop bar. There’s a definite dose of NYC swank about The Grand Central, from the uniformed top-hatted doormen to the huge, high-ceilinged glass and marble lobby. Despite the grandeur, however, there’s plenty of cosy Irish charm. Rooms are spacious, calm and luxuriously furnished with king-size King Koil Cloud beds, smart white linen, and thick, noise-cancelling carpets. The bathrooms are particularly swish with double sinks, freestanding baths, walk-in rainfall showers and toiletries by ESPA. The Seahorse restaurant on the first floor is an airy space, with floor-to-ceiling glass flooding it with light by day and the twinkle of city lights by night. The dinner menu is a celebration of Irish and European classics, with modern touches and delicate portions. The 23rd floor rooftop Observatory Bar is a must-visit, before or after dinner. With its own private lift, it’s become something of a destination for trendy Belfasters. But don’t mistake that for exclusivity; the welcome as you reach the top floor is still very warm. Each cocktail refers to a local landmark – try Napoleon’s Nose (a heady mix of mezcal, Benedictine, fig and orange bitters), or the more floral Botanical Garden, made from gin, rhubarb, aperol, pomegranate, pink peppercorn and citrus. Rooms start at £185 per night, check availability at booking.com More info: visitbelfast.com More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in the Lake District Best restaurants in Perthshire Words by Caroline Wilson, founder of the Belfast Food Tour and Director of Taste and Tour NI (tasteandtour.co.uk), Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford Photographs by Leonid Andronov/Getty, David Cornder/Alamy stock photo and Elaine Hill Photography
Best Scottish whisky distilleries to visit
Scotland’s whisky scene is having a glow-up. From island distilleries to Michelin-starred food pairings and luxurious lodges, here’s where to sip (and stay) in style
Over the last two decades working as a whisky writer, I’ve witnessed a revolution across Scotland’s whisky makers. Where once Scotch whisky was the preserve of connoisseurs and collectors, today the distilleries have evolved into stylish retreats where the Scotch is only part of the story. Supported by incredible local hospitality, a new generation of distilleries with a fresh perspective has transformed the humble dram into something that’s now firmly in the lifestyle lane. Think boutique hotels with soft tweed and roll-top baths and tasting rooms that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end Copenhagen restaurant. Whether you’re partial to a smoky Islay or are just whisky-curious, these gorgeous getaways combine flavour, design and unforgettable scenery. For more Scottish travel inspiration, check out our picks of the best hotels in Scotland or our food guides to the best restaurants in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Dundee. 10 best whisky distilleries to visit in Scotland The Isle of Islay Distillery: Port Ellen Islay is home to ten working whisky distilleries, with even more still in the building phase, making this island a playground for whisky-lovers. The most recently opened distillery, or rather reopened, is Port Ellen. A cult favourite among collectors, the distillery is back after nearly 40 years after its gates were shut. One of the rarest whiskies around, with bottles changing hands for the price of a small family car, the rebooted distillery is a coastal showpiece, where pared-back Scandi-style meets Islay’s rugged beauty. Expect sweeping sea views, architectural wow-factor, and an elevated tasting experience that’s all about storytelling and sensory discovery. Where to stay: Keep an eye open for the newly refurbished Ardbeg House which is set to open in September this year. It has been purchased by French luxury goods company LVMH. Already owners of the nearby Ardbeg distillery, they have overhauled the former Islay Hotel into what is sure to become the island’s lighthouse luxury retreat. Until then, understated luxury and windswept beaches await at Another Place at The Machrie, a stylish hideaway that mixes Highland charm with modern cool. Interiors are soft and organic, with sea-facing rooms and a 30-seat cinema for rainy day wind-downs. Fancy an after-dinner dram? Sink into a leather armchair in the snug bar and let the island do its magic. Doubles from £295, check rates and availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or The Machrie Raasay Distillery: Isle of Raasay Distillery The bucolic tiny island of Raasay is just 15 minutes by ferry from Skye and is home to one of Scotland’s most exciting new distilleries. Opened in 2017, Raasay Distillery is all about innovation, community and a jaw-dropping view across the Sound. Tours feel intimate and personal, with sustainability front and centre. Its whisky is a flavoursome, lightly smoky style matured across several cask types and brought together for an easy drinking dram. In the on-site bar you can relax with a measure of their well-matured whisky, try it in a cocktail or enjoy wines and local beers, too. Where to stay: Part of the distillery itself, Borodale House is a former Victorian villa transformed into a six-bedroom hotel. Interiors blend muted tones and natural textures with total tranquility. It is the kind of place where you pad around in thick socks, sip whisky by the fire, and wake to the sound of seabirds. Whole-house hire is available for group getaways and, as part of the Raasay buildings, it is currently the only place in Scotland where you can stay directly in a working distillery. Check rates and availability at raasaydistillery.com Skye Distillery: Talisker Skye boasts some of Scotland most elemental, rugged and utterly breathtaking landscapes. Truly a cinematic experience, it is also home to the famed Talisker distillery. Recently revamped, it is now as stunning as the surrounding scenery. A beautiful visitors centre takes you on an immersive trip around the island and the whisky made at Talisker. It recently unveiled a satellite location of the island’s top restaurant, The Three Chimneys. Sat in a waterfront space on the dockside, expect dishes with strong local provenance and sustainability. Where to stay: One of my ‘happy places’ in Scotland, Kinloch Lodge is the seat of the Macdonald Clan and is still family run today. Old-school Highland hospitality done right, this is a place to come and relax in real style where the fire is warm, and the welcome even warmer. Characterful rooms have lochside views, there's a cosy bar and a menu that celebrates Skye’s natural larder, from hand-dived scallops to earthy chanterelles and local meat. Top tip: make sure you are there at a weekend for their hearty Sunday lunch. Check out our guide to Skye for more recommendations of where to eat and stay on the island. Check rates and availability at booking.com or kinloch-lodge.co.uk The Cairngorms Distillery: Royal Lochnagar Just a short hop from Balmoral, this dinky distillery was granted royal status by Queen Victoria. Today, it balances tradition with a playful modern twist and is short on crowds, but long on history and tradition. Tucked away between Ballater and Braemar, it’s nestled into the breathtaking Cairngorms colour-changing scenery on the banks of the River Dee. Don’t miss the new Bothy Bar, where you can sample whisky cocktails paired with local charcuterie and cheeses. Where to stay: Art lovers and interiors obsessives, take note of The Fife Arms. Boasting more than 16,000 works of art (yes, really) you might find yourself sleeping in a room adorned with works by Picasso and other equally brilliant artists. There’s a whisky bar, Bertie’s, home to over 500 different bottles, a fondue hut in winter, and some of the Highlands’ best food to boot. Just down the road in Ballater is sister property The Fish Shop, which has become a hangout for famous local residents such as Margot Robbie who is rumoured to have a house nearby. Check rates and availability at thefifearms.com Perthshire Distillery: Glenturret As Scotland’s oldest working distillery, Glenturret has worn many hats over the years. Easy to access due to their central Scotland location – just one hour from Edinburgh airport – it used to be the home of The Famous Grouse Experience, a trad-laden affair which showed whisky in a more dusty light. Under new ownership, it has transformed into a Highland home of luxury, including a two Michelin-starred Glenturret Lalique restaurant, the only Michelin-starred eatery in any distillery around the world, where chef Mark Donald uses local ingredients, including the whisky, to weave genuine magic on a plate. Where to stay: The name Gleneagles needs no introduction, as Scotland’s most recognisable destination. Still holding the title of the grande dame of country house hotels, it doesn’t stand still with developments across their world-class spa, award-winning cocktail bar and countryside activities such as falconry and Land Rover driving. This really is a hotel that keeps evolving for the better, year after year. Doubles from £495 per night, check availability at booking.com or gleneagles.com However, for something more intimate, try Glenturret’s own Aberturret House. The private residence is located just across the river from the distillery and the recently restored property sleeps 12 (either for fully private hire, or individual stays for those dining at the Glenturret Lalique Restaurant) it is filled with Scottish fabrics, pottery, and thoughtful design touches. Check rates and availability at theglenturret.com Edinburgh Distillery: Johnnie Walker Princes Street This is not a distillery per se, but an incredible new visitor experience from the world’s best selling Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker. The experience, which cost over £150m to build, opened in 2021 and has just welcomed its one millionth visitor; a testament to the offering which welcomes anyone who enjoys not just whisky, but flavour too. The experience takes visitors on an immersive sensory journey of Scotch whisky, including enjoying personalised cocktails along the way. Two impressive rooftop bars showcase more cocktails and great food, all paired with the best view of the city anywhere has to offer. Where to stay: Edinburgh is not short of incredible hotels. Gleneagles has a small outpost, Gleneagles Townhouse, which has just 33 keys and is often fully booked, and Hoxton Hotels opened in June 2025. However, if you are looking for something slightly under the radar, try 100 Princes Street. The new boutique bolthole is petite, polished and perfectly located. With just 30 rooms, it feels like a private club (in fact, it is in a converted former members club) and is personal, plush and with the kind of service that turns a city break into something special. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh for memorable meals during your stay. Check rates and availability at booking.com or 100princes-street.com Tain Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery Arriving at Glenmorangie Distillery, just outside Tain and overlooking the Dornoch Firth, you’ll be transported back to the Victorian-era. Built on a slope that runs down towards the water, the distillery is famed for having incredibly tall copper pot stills, the same height as a giraffe. These copper sculptures are what gives Glenmorangie its signature elegance, and have platformed it to be one of the best selling single malts globally. Tastings and tours are relaxed yet intimate, focusing on the hose style of a floral, and citrus-bright whisky. Where to stay: Not just a beautiful distillery, Glenmorangie also has its own country pile, 15 mins scenic drive away. Glenmorangie House is less hotel, more sumptuous private residence. Think country manor meets contemporary art-house, with tartan chairs, Hebridean rugs, and incredible views. Each room is unique and colourful. Dinner is often an event, shared around a communal table. Coastal walks are mapped out, and a dram in front of the fire is a welcoming postprandial pour on your return. This is refined yet relaxed luxury. Rooms from £1,347 for three nights, check availability at booking.com, expedia.co.uk or glenmorangie.com Speyside Distillery: The Macallan Probably the most famous name in single malt Scotch whisky, Macallan (founded in 1824) is a brand beloved by drinkers looking for the ultimate status symbol in spirits. A stunning new design-led subterranean distillery was opened in 2018, revolutionising the idea of the traditional Scottish distillery. Always looking to push forward innovative concepts, the distillery has a long-standing partnership with the highly awarded Spanish chefs, the Roca brothers and this year launched ‘TimeSpirit’, a dining experience curated by the legendary siblings. The menu takes you on a journey of pairings where expressions of The Macallan and carefully selected sherries are paired with small tasting dishes. Where to stay: Tucked into the heart of the Highlands, the Craigellachie Hotel is a warm and characterful base for exploring Speyside, Scotland’s main whisky region. An historic building built in 1893, it is a charming 26-room retreat which blends Victorian heritage with modern comfort and Scottish highland elegance. Deep leather armchairs, tartan throws, crackling fires and an unmistakable sense of place give the hotel character. At the heart of the building is the legendary Quaich Bar, home to over 700 whiskies. The Spey Inn, the hotel's on-site restaurant, serves up hearty, locally sourced fare including Highland beef and salmon. Check rates and availability at booking.com or craigellachiehotel.com Highlands Distillery: Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery Tucked just outside the town of Aberfeldy, at the gateway to the Highlands, is the Aberfeldy Distillery. Built in 1898 by the Dewar family, proprietors of this famous blended whisky to which they gave their name, it is more than just a working distillery producing a soft, honeyed Highland malt; it is an education in all things Scotch with a detailed and interesting visitor centre that covers the global rise in popularity of whisky around the world. Here, you can see a modern take on blended whisky, as well as a focus on the single malt made on-site, through a series of interactive activities and, of course, tasting rooms too. Where to stay: The nearby town of Dunkeld has undergone something of an evolution over the past five years, becoming a foodie Highland hub – make sure you stop off at ARAN Bakery for pastries. Dunkeld is also home to Redwood Wines, a hidden gem wine merchant specialising in organic and low-intervention bottles, flipping into a restaurant after-hours. The place to stay is The Taybank, a welcoming Victorian‑era hotel. Its cosy bar hosts live trad music nights and their Scandi-chic bedrooms are warm and welcoming. They also host seasonal events such as outdoor cinema on the banks of the River Tay. Check rates and availability at booking.com or thetaybank.co.uk Glasgow Distillery: Auchentoshan Tucked just outside Glasgow, Auchentoshan is a rare thing: a historic Lowland single malt distillery. Unlike most single malts, which are double distilled, the whisky made at Auchentoshan is triple-distilled, giving a lighter and more refined style of spirit. A hop, skip and a jump from Glasgow's city centre, the distillery is perfectly located for anyone wanting a city-break weekend with a chance to dip their toe into the world of whisky. Where to stay: Located right in the heart of Glasgow, the Kimpton Blythswood Square hotel is a luxurious city centre retreat. Once the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, the grand building retains its stunning Georgian architecture on the outside, while offering modern design inside. Its 113 rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, and the award-winning spa is an usually large space for a centrally located hotel. The location makes it ideal for exploring Glasgow (check out our picks of the best restaurants in Glasgow) and gives easy access to the rest of Scotland, too. Check rates and availability at booking.com or kimptonblythswoodsquare.com Travel Tips: Book tastings and distillery tours in advance – many now offer limited group sizes and tailored experiences. Don’t feel you need to be a whisky expert. Most tours are beginner-friendly, and staff are brilliant at guiding you through styles and flavours. Want to pair your dram with food? Look for distilleries offering food pairings or dining options, or the local hotels that also offer this. This is a great way to elevate and enhance any tasting experience. More UK travel guides 8 UK food trips for solo travellers Best UK islands for food lovers to visit Best small towns across the UK that every foodie should visit 16 day trips from London by train Top UK summer travel ideas 13 must-visit UK foodie destinations, picked by experts Best UK vineyard stays Best seaside staycations in the UK Best unique UK holiday cottages 10 best UK glamping holidays
Best Welsh weekend breaks for food lovers
Check out where to go in Wales, from the city breaks in Swansea and Cardiff to rural escapes in Pembrokeshire
If you're looking to explore more of the UK, why not get to know Wales? There's plenty to discover in its unspoilt landscapes, whether you immerse yourself in buzzy Cardiff or Swansea for a city getaway, want to tick off hiking up Snowdonia, or spend days on the beach in Pembrokeshire. From classic fish & chips and ice cream to pan-Asian fusion, elaborate tasting menus, fresh seafood and even local wine – the food scene is thriving. Read on for our best Welsh weekend breaks, sharing our top recommendations of where to go and, most importantly, where to eat. For more UK travel inspiration, read our guides to the best UK islands for foodies to visit and the best small towns in the UK. Cardiff For a foodie weekend away, add Cardiff to your travel plans. As Wales's capital and largest city, there is plenty to see and do, including the iconic castle, walking along Cardiff Bay for waterfront views, and exploring the shops, markets and National Museum. Three weekly farmer's markets rotate around the city, showcasing over 100 local producers, farmers and artisans with plenty to eat as you browse. The buzzy food scene offers something for everyone and you can easily eat your way around the world within the city: try authentic Spanish cooking at Asador 44, Indian classics (and a whole tandoori roast chicken on a Sunday) at Purple Poppadom, or Thai fried chicken and rotis at buzzy Brother Thai. Can't decide? Go to Cardiff Market, a historic indoor market now filled with diverse street food kitchens. Save space for an elegant dinner at Gorse, a relative newcomer to Cardiff's food scene that quickly earned a Michelin star for its tasting menus, making the most of traditional Welsh ingredients such as laverbread and bara brith. Will you go for the four, seven or 10-course menu? Swansea A Welsh city break doesn't just have to mean Cardiff. Swansea, Wales' second-largest city, is undergoing something of a culinary renaissance with exciting new openings and classic institutions being rediscovered. Start your day at Little Valley Bakery: a passionate artisanal bakery using traditional methods and organic flour. The sausage rolls are Great Taste Award-winning, and your sweet tooth is well catered for with generous flapjacks, brownies and cinnamon buns. Anyone with a sweet tooth should visit Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour, a local spot since 1922, that now serves up modern flavours including Nutella Crunch, Cherrylicious and Biscoffi. The Shed by chef Jonathan Woolway is leading the charge in Swansea's culinary revolution with a daily changing menu that celebrates local producers, featuring seasonal dishes like roast pumpkin and laverbread soup, crispy pigskin and ketchup, and greengage trifle. It's not purely Welsh fare on offer though. Pan-Asian restaurant Muswanna champions Chinese, Japanese and Korean cooking with dishes like deep-fried king prawn won ton with crab roe, Japanese-style chicken curry udon, and beef ribs cooked in sake. Pembrokeshire The charming county of Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales, has plenty to offer. Expect stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and Britain's smallest city, St David's. Foodies will also find 16th-century inns, tasting menus, fish bistros and lively taprooms to fuel all that exploring. Spending a day at the beach? Pick up fish and chips at long-running fish bistro The Shed, which overlooks the pretty quay of Porthgain. It's best known for fish and chips, but also has a fortnightly changing menu, which could include bouillabaisse or mussels. For fine dining, head to Grove of Narberth's Fernery restaurant for the seasonal five-course tasting menu that champions local produce. For dinner in a memorable location (as well as a pretty hotel), visit Penally Abbey in Tenby. Set on 12th century monastic ruins, the dining room features romantic gothic windows framing postcard perfect sea views. See our full guide to the best restaurants in Pembrokeshire for more must-visit spots. Angle, Pembrokeshire The tiny village of Angle in Pembrokeshire is worthy of an extra mention of its own. Nestled in the southwestern tip of Wales, Angle is wild, windswept and full of coastal charm. Two sandy bays are the main highlights: with golden sands, secluded coves and crystal clear waters that appear almost Mediterranean in summer. Walk the length of the bays and wide mudflats. West Angle Bay makes a great spot for wild swimming – a quick dip being most likely in these brisk water temperatures. Warm up afterwards with a breakfast bun or lobster roll at Cafe Môr on East Angle Bay, which is a first of its kind, solar-powered mobile seaweed kitchen. Check out our full guide to the 10 best lidos and outdoor pools in the UK for more wild swimming spots. Gwynedd Seafood Trail North Wales has always been known for its spectacular coastal views and colourful, quaint towns. Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences are out to showcase the best places to eat seasonal, locally caught seafood in the region. Split into three parts, Bangor & Caernarfon, Llŷn Peninsula, and Eifionydd & Meirionnydd, much of the Seafood Trail falls along the Wales Coast Path, a continuous footpath running the entire length of the Welsh coastline. No matter which route you decide to follow, there will be plenty of independent and seasonal-focused cafés and restaurants to fuel your journey. From Thai-style fishcakes at Llofft in Felinheli, to locally caught lobster at The Potted Lobster in Abersoch, it’s a seafood lovers’ hotspot. There’s also a chance to try some delicious Welsh lamb at Morfach in Caernarfon. If you’re looking for places to stay during a multi-day walking holiday, Llety Arall in Caernarfon is perfect for hikers and casual tourists. This community run establishment provides spacious rooms and a communal kitchen for guest use in the heart of Caernarfon. If you find yourself exploring the Llŷn Peninsula, The Lion Hotel in Criccieth is a well-placed stop-off for a night, with an excellent breakfast in the morning. Anglesey Anglesey is an island located off the northwest coast. Boasting over 120 miles of coastline, the island is renowned for its natural beauty, alluring beaches, historic sites like Beaumaris Castle, and landmarks like the Menai and Britannia bridges. It’s also known for great food, much of it unique to the island and using local produce. Seafood is naturally a highlight here. Anglesey's on the Menai Strait, which means fresh mussels, oysters and even lobster – head to The Lobster Pot to try it all, including lobster grilled, thermidor or mornay. Also harvested from the Strait is Halen Môn, or Anglesey Sea Salt, a quality salt used by chefs around the world for its unique taste. It makes the perfect souvenir to take home. Anglesey even produces wine; visit Red Wharf Bay Vineyard for a wine tasting where you can try their white, made from the Spanish Solaris grape, and red, made from the Rondo. Abergavenny Time a visit to Abergavenny for September and you'll be there for the famous Abergavenny Food Festival. The festival takes over the town with demos, debates, food stalls and outdoor feasts. For 2025, visiting chefs and food writers include Sami Tamimi, Thomasina Miers and Ixta Belfrage. But there's plenty for foodies to explore in Abergavenny whatever time of year you're visiting. The town is filled with independent shops and restaurants – visit the The Angel Bakery for seasonal fruit pastries and perfect artisanal baguettes, and head to The Marches Deli for local artisan produce, great cheese and hampers. The Kitchen at The Chapel is a casual stop-off for breakfast and lunch (don't miss the homemade soda bread) while the Michelin-starred Walnut Tree Inn is just outside town. Stay at the Angel Hotel, a Georgian former coaching inn in the centre of town. The menu features quality, locally sourced ingredients, with lavish home-cooked breakfast spreads and award-winning afternoon teas, enhanced by a dedicated tea sommelier. Snowdonia Looking for an active break in Wales? Tick something off your bucket list and head to Snowdonia to hike up Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales and England. There are six paths up Snowdon. If this is your first time, the Llanberis Path is considered the easiest, with a total round trip distance of 9 miles, and a total climb of 975 metres. Check out our guide to the best walks in the UK for more hiking inspiration. The village of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon makes a great base for a long weekend of hikes, sightseeing and food, with some good local places to eat. Further afield on the edge of Snowdonia, Palé Hall is nestled in a 50-acre estate with breathtaking views of the Dee Valley for a peaceful country house retreat, complete with fine dining restaurant and more casual bistro. The afternoon tea makes a great post-walk reward. Hay-on-Wye Hay-on-Wye is best known for being the first 'book town' in the world and home to the legendary literary festival, but it’s also carving out a name for itself on the culinary map. Chapters Restaurant has a menu that champions hyper-local, often homegrown, produce and was awarded a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability and zero-waste practices. Get back to nature with a glamping break in Hay-on-Wye that will immerse you in your surroundings. By the Wye is a riverside glamping retreat that lets guests embrace the wild without sacrificing comfort. Safari tents are hidden in the trees, raised on wooden platforms with views of River Wye below. Tents contain the essentials such as proper beds, hot showers and a wood burning stove, with room for up to five guests. You can order food hampers to your tent treehouse, such as breakfast deliveries or a barbecue feast. More travel inspiration... Best small towns across the UK every foodie should visit The UK's best pubs with rooms UK boutique hotels for food lovers 10 exciting UK city breaks for food lovers Best restaurants with rooms UK spa hotels for food lovers Best romantic UK hotels Best seaside staycations Best country hotels