Summer holidays are almost upon us and with the world slowly opening up again means one thing, and one thing only. You can finally enjoy going to restaurants and exploring local delicacies again! First of all, before we look at some highlights to hit on your foodie roadtrip; we only recommend visiting restaurants or campsites while following the government guidelines on social distancing. Make sure to check restaurants, shops, farms and accommodation ahead of time and plan accordingly. Some places may require booking or work on revised hours so book ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Continue reading on A Foodie Roadtrip (Part 2)
Foodie Roadtrip to South Devon
South Devon is one of the highlights of the popular Southwest. This area is packed with fresh farm produce, coffee shops, and stunning local restaurants for you to discover. The natural landscape ranges from sandy beaches to fossil cliffs, estuaries and rivers to moorland, all providing visitors with a cornucopia of different cuisines and specialities to try.
Devon farms are renowned for their meat and dairy products with beef, lamb, clotted cream, and Devon cheese (Blue, Sharpham, Vulscombe, and Curworthy) popular on local menus. These farms use regional breeds and techniques to cultivate delicious products that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re planning a trip to Devon try to book a farm visit or stop by a local farm, cafe or restaurant and experience the incredible tastes Devon’s farms have to offer. Some places to look out for include the Royal Oak Farm, The River Cottage Store and Canteen, and Aune Valley Meat Butchers and Farm Shop.
Coastal Attractions
If you’re looking for something more coastal then you’re in luck. The Winking Prawn in Salcombe, is a family-run bar, cafe and grill that is hugely popular among locals. It is also a hit on various foodie blogs so why not stop by for their catch of the day, Devon crab, or even a tasty Salcombe Dairy ice cream.
The Boathouse Cafe in Plymouth is another highlight. This award-winning seafood cafe and bar is found on Plymouth’s waterfront. They specialise in offering sustainably caught fish by its very own day boats.
If you’re a big fan of the deliciously sweet taste of crab then The Millbrook Inn is a pilgrimage. This little pub near Kingsbridge has been featured in The Guardian is situated well off the beaten track offering crab sandwiches, potted crab, spider crab and more.
These are just a few of the places on offer so make sure you plan for a trip to Devon and plan your road trip around some truly incredible dining experiences.
Foodie Road Trip to South Downs
The South Downs is a majestic range of chalk hills ranging from Hampshire all the way to Sussex. This area has become a hotspot for wineries with the likes of the Bolney Wine Estate, Hambledon Vineyard, Nutbourne Vineyard, and Jenkyn Place hotspots to aim for. It also happens to be a great place for sampling wine and good food.
Hambledon is a great example of this burgeoning British viticulture. Hambledon Chardonnay vines grow in the very same chalky Paris basin of areas like Champagne in France. Making this vineyard a must for anyone fond of refreshing white wines. This farm allows visits by appointments only and is well worth adding to an itinerary of restaurants, sights, and lazy days in the sun.
Jenkyn Place and Nutbourne Vineyard are well known for their sparkling wines. Both are situated in the villages of Bentley and Pullborough respectively. Nutbourne is open to the public making it easier to drop while Jenkyn’s Place on the northern edge of the chalk border has open days in July for tastings and visits. Either of these vineyards features stunning wines and are a great part of any wine-tasting vacation.
With many vineyards to visit, it’s integral that you designate drivers or use taxis when travelling. There are many campsites to book so plan your accommodation first. You’ll then find your winery adventure is one everyone can enjoy.
Local Cuisine
Along with this rich viticulture comes a wonderful local cuisine. Restaurant Interlude is a contemporary gem set in the woodland gardens of Leonardslee Estate and boasts a Michelin Star. Botanica is committed to sourcing local ingredients from the South Downs. A special focus is on Mediterranean dishes and plant-based dishes. The Royal Oak Inn in West Sussex boasts two AA Rosettes and a menu that changes with the seasons.
These restaurants are just a sample of the quality on offer in the South Downs. So if you’re looking for a truly memorable foodie road trip, the South Downs is the place for you.
Arbroath
Moving from the south to the north, we’re moving to a famous Scottish flavour, the Arbroath Smokie. This smoked haddock dish now has protected geographical status under European Law. This means that you can only find a genuine smokie within a 5-mile radius of Arbroath.
Whether you’re at a smokehouse, Arbroath’s restaurants or fishmongers, you’ll find a feast of smokies to sample. Straight from the barrel are: fillets, pâtés, Cullen Skink, pies, risottos. You can find more on the Arbroath Smokie Trail. Take a look at https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/ to see where to go and what to aim for.
Why not check out a few more hotspots on the way to Arbroath? Visit a few distilleries, grab some great whisky, and plan a road trip feast on the Arbroath Smokie Trail.
This is the first part of our two-part foodie road trip special. Stay tuned to see part 2 for some more mouthwatering ideas.
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