Best foodie holidays in the UK: Your one stop travel guide

Are you a foodie and planning a staycation in the UK? This guide is designed to help you plan the best foodie holidays the UK has to offer.

Which city in the UK has the best food? From the smooth cheese and fruity wines of Kent, to delicious brunch on Dorset’s beautiful coastline, the UK has a great variety of delicacies for all the foodies out there. Your heart (and belly) will be craving more more more!

Tasting recommendations

We took the liberty of crafting a list of best foodie destinations to satisfy you. Though, do keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. If you’ve got a favourite foodie destination, why not let us know on social media?

So let the food hunt begin!

1. Dorset
   If you love food, then missing out on Dorset would be a real shame. Home to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, Dorset prides itself in offering a dish for every type of food-lover. We recommend checking out the asian street food joint Dorshi and if you love seafood, the Hive Beach Café in Bridport is a must visit.
2. Kent
   English wines have gained popularity in recent times due to their great variety, and Kent can be directly associated with their success. Kent is full of vineyards and the wines grown there are nothing short of amazing. While in Kent, you can visit numerous wine tasting tours (The Hush Heath Estate is a must visit). Though, if you fancy a meal to wash down the wine, you may like to pay a visit to The Swan Wine Kitchen located in Tenterdown.
3. Cambridge
   Well, when it comes to Cambridge, it is no surprise that it is famous for its Gin. Cambridge is known for its multiple Gin distilleries, including the Gin Laboratory at the Cambridge Distillery. This interactive space offers everyone a chance to blend a gin of their own. A must-see for all gin lovers!
4. Oxfordshire
   Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons is THE place to visit in Oxfordshire. You can expect a unique, world-class dining experience in this huge Oxfordshire manor, which is nothing short of a marvel in itself. But for those who prefer a view of the river, Voco Oxford Thames is a great place to dine. Situated in a small town in Oxford alongside the River Thames, this restaurant’s lamb shank is a must try!
5. East Sussex
   For the seafood lovers amongst us, East Sussex is a place that will make your mouth water. You can plan a fishing and cooking weekend across the English Channel and take part in organised fishing trips by The Brighton Lure Boat. This enables even beginners like ourselves to catch a fresh mackerel, slow cook it or have it prepared by a chef, and enjoy it with a beautiful view.
6. London
   Missing out on London would be a sin if you call yourself a foodie. From the best cheese available in the UK to flavourful coffee and numerous food festivals, London is a central point for all foodies. There are some great half-day and full day tasting courses by Wildes for the cheese connoisseurs. Coffee lovers can savour their favourite lattés at the famous Origin Coffee in Southwark. And if the foodie in you is still not satisfied, visit one of the oldest running food festivals of London – Taste of London. Oh, and don’t miss out on London’s top dine-in restaurant – Restaurant Gordon Ramsay!
7. Abergavenny
   Talk about great food festivals, missing out on Abergavenny would be a shame. Abergavenny hosts multiple food festivals, including the famous Abergavenny Food Festival every year which attracts people from across the UK. Oh, and let’s not forget the world-class bakeries, like the renowned Angel Bakery that would make every gastronomist go weak in the knees. The best breads, cakes and afternoon tea in the UK, period!
8. Ullapool
   Another one for our seafood lovers on this list, Ullapool has some of the finest smokehouses. Ullapool is also known for their seafood safaris, which includes a visit to oyster farms, lunch at amazing seafood shacks, fishing on boats, and capping off dinner with a view of the Summer Isles. Oh, what a dream come true!
9. York
   You may not immediately associate York with food, but this city is known as the chocolate capital of the UK. Children and adults alike can enjoy the finest quality chocolates from York’s Cocoa House. The Cocoa House also offers a 3-hour masterclass which makes you a wizard in making ganaches, caramels and fondants. And if, after all that, you’re still craving a chocolate fix, pay a visit to Monk Bar Chocolatier which has a wide variety of handcrafted chocolates to cater to your sweet tooth.
10. Cumbria
    Cumbria might be last on this list, but doesn’t make it any less of a foodie destination. Rather, Cumbria is home to Allium at Askham Hall which received a Michelin Star in 2019 for their seasonal food from their large estate garden. Also, make sure you leave some time to visit The Lakes Distillery in Cockermouth which is a must visit for vodka fans.

Ready to book your next foodie holiday in the UK?

Hopefully our list of the best foodies holiday destinations in the UK has given you some inspiration for your next foodie holiday. Though, we would recommend checking for restrictions related to COVID-19.