Britain's food reputation may have improved in the past couple of decades, but our roadside food, especially motorway services, leaves us in despair. That's according to a survey conducted by leading car hire company Europcar which reveals 95% of motorists believe the choice, price and quality of roadside food is unacceptable – with 80% saying they have previously gone hungry rather than eat from the selection on offer.
This isn't another list of Michelin star eateries, the guide has tapped into the knowledge of some of our finest food writers and broadcasters to reveal 20 of Britain’s hidden culinary gems (I am proud to say I am on page 10) . All are just a short drive off some of our major roads.
Stretching from the Scottish Highlands to the Dorset coast, the guide includes everything from country inns, gastro pubs, farm cafés, beach cafés and tea shops to stately homes. All specialise in offering locally sourced, fresh, home-cooked fare ranging from tasty cakes and hearty pies and sandwiches, to traditional and modern British, game, seafood and desserts to die for.
The Guide can be downloaded free from Europcar's site: Roadside Gastro Guide
Here's a short summery of the places on offer.
Glossary of featured eateries in the Roadside Gastro Guide - from North to South
1. House of Bruar, Blair Atholl, Perthshire Situated in the wild grandeur of the Highlands. Open from breakfast, the restaurant even has an in-house butcher to prepare your choice of prime Scottish meat. Home baking is emphasised and goodies can be purchased for the road.
2. The Skyreburn Teapot, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire What started out 45 years ago as a caravan with a teapot on top has now been transformed into something that appears to be little more than an overgrown shed. The full fry-up features local produce and no fewer than two dozen homemade cakes and tray bakes are offered daily. Located on the shore of the Skyreburn Bay with spectacular views.
3. Black Horse Inn, West Boldon, South Tyneside Nestled in the village of West Boldon, the Black Horse offers a menu that is modern European with a slant on seasonal British classics. Dishes such as crab lasagne and pork belly with black pudding are served in generous portions. No meal is complete without the Cinder Toffee Eton Mess.
4. George and Dragon, Clifton, Cumbria Owned and managed by Charles Lowther, youngest son of the late Earl of Lonsdale, who in 2008 transformed this roadside boozer into a stylish pub with rooms. The Shorthorn beef he breeds himself and the lamb, pork, free-range chicken, game, venison, eggs and vegetables are all sourced from the Lowther land. Fish, chips and mushy peas, Shorthorn burger and chips and sticky toffee pudding are all staples.
5. The Aldwark Arms, Aldwark, North Yorkshire Pub-restaurant sitting at the heart of a pretty Yorkshire village, laden with local produce with twists and turns through the seasons. Bar area comes complete with blazing open fire or diners can go to a more contemporary conservatory restaurant with views across open countryside.
6. The Wortley Arms and Montagu's, Wortley, Sheffield A traditional pub in an historic building that retains immense character - ask about the 'Wortley Wedge' - 'a beast of a sandwich' made from the roast of the day or order the Wortley Venison Pie with Roast Root Vegetables. Upstairs is Montagu's, much more of a fine dining experience. The menu here changes regularly to take advantage of the best seasonal produce, supplied within a 20-mile radius.
7. Caunton Beck, Caunton, Nottinghamshire It's worth a short detour to sample the food at this pretty converted barn, a cornerstone of the picturesque village from which it takes its name. Puddings, such as Bramley apple parfait with candied ginger or Treacle sponge with mascarpone ice cream, are 'unmissable', but save space for home-made fudge at coffee time. And it serves breakfast until 11.30.
8. The Olive Branch, Clipsham, Leicestershire Set in glorious Rutland countryside, this formerly run-down village boozer has been transformed into a gastro pub with knobs on, offering food that ranges from pub classics such as fish and chips with tomato sauce and minted peas, to fancier restaurant cooking, such as lemon sole with potted shrimps and caper mash.
9. Hundred House Hotel, Norton, Shropshire The superb herb garden, with its water features and flower beds (which guests can visit), provides much of the inspiration for the cuisine. Traditional steak and kidney pie or lasagne rest easily alongside innovative contemporary dishes using Bridgnorth beef, Shropshire lamb, Hereford duck and the occasional Severn salmon.
10. Café Skylark, Wimblington, Cambridgeshire Part of Skylark Garden Centre, owned and run by a local farming family, Skylark Café provides low-priced food with a big local produce input. In fact, you can see the team of egg layers pecking in the field! A mere £2.99 will buy you free-range eggs and fenland chips 'piled high on a simple plate, fluffy and crisp'. The cakes are home-made locally and the portions are generous.
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