Archive for the ‘Scotland’ Category

One of the greatest pleasures of holidaying in the UK is the opportunity to sample fantastic local cuisine. So, partly inspired by our new copy of the Good Food Guide, we’ve decided to use this post to highlight a few of the best places to eat in some of the UK’s most spectacular locations.

At easycottages.com, we’re firm believers in getting more for your money, so we won’t be recommending anywhere that will break the bank. Then again, if you’re booking a cheap holiday cottage there’s probably nothing wrong with treating yourself. Besides, you can always spend the rest of the holiday cooking up a storm in your cottage kitchen!

Snowdonia offers thousands of square metres of wild coastline, rolling moorlands and sprawling forests under the shadow of the majestic mount Snowdon. But if braving the wilds doesn’t sound like your cup of tea then perhaps you’d prefer the view from the restaurant at Penmaenuchaf Hall.

A stunning country hall set in tranquil woodland, Penmaenuchaf Hall enjoys spectacular views of the Mawddach Estuary and the mountains of Southern Snowdonia beyond. And the food isn’t bad either! The restaurant specialises in contemporary British food made with local produce – including herbs, salads and vegetables from the grounds. Having so much surrounding space also provides you with ample opportunity to walk off your meal while you admire the views!

Set on the high banks of the River Hodder, and offering majestic views of the surrounding valley, The Inn at Whitewell offers an equally enticing combination of great food and beautiful surroundings. The food is wholesome, unfussy and with a focus on local produce. This relaxed approach also extends to where you have your meal. Eat in the bar with a round of drinks or move into the dining room for a more formal affair – the choice is yours!

Like the Inn itself, The Trough of Bowland is one of Lancashire’s hidden delights. Boasting landscapes that can easily rival the best of the Lakes (minus the crowds), the area is perfect for those after a more tranquil appreciation of northern England’s beauty. Though if you’re after something a little wilder then we’d recommend a visit to the nearby Bowland Wild Boar Park.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park boasts many surprises, but perhaps the biggest for food tourists is the fact that it houses one of the UK’s finest fish restaurants. The Wensleydale Heifer has all the benefits of a traditional inn: warm welcome, lovely ales and a cosy ambience, combined with an incredible, and incredibly varied, seafood menu.

The local area is equally rich with plenty of things to see and do. Walking is perhaps the most popular pastimes in the Dales, however the Wensleydale Railway is one of the most relaxing. And if you fancy preparing your own dishes in the comfort of your holiday cottage, there are ample opportunities to go river fishing in the region.

Fans of continental cuisine will be delighted with the selection at the Bouchon Bistrot in Hexham, Northumberland. Applying a no-nonsense approach to its food, it offers a range of simply cooked, French country style dishes and presents a friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy them. It’s a simple approach but one that obviously works; The F Word’s ‘Best Local French Restaurant UK’ and ‘Best European Restaurant’ are just some of the recent accolades bestowed on the Bouchon Bistrot.

The surrounding area is equally satisfying, if not quite as continental! Hexham itself is a historic market town and also no stranger to awards, winning ‘England’s Favourite Market Town’ from Country Life magazine in recent years. Nearby you have the city of Newcastle and of course, the fantastic Northumbrian wilds to explore.

Do you have your own UK dining recommendations to share? Please leave a comment below. And if you’d like a place to stay while you explore nation’s eateries, you can search the featured range of cheap holiday cottages on easycottages.com.