During a recent conversation with friends about our various British travels, I began to realise just how rare it is for many people to use their hotel as more than a simple basecamp.
It’s now the norm to venture out for lunch, dinner and increasingly breakfast, when in actual fact there are plenty of British hotels offering some really unbelievable food themselves.
British hotels serving delicious food
Here are five of my favourite British hotels with great food!
1) The Inn at Whitewell, near Clitheroe, Lancashire
As well as boasting a comfortingly crackling log fire and some really beautiful rooms decorated in true heritage style, this traditional country inn is also home to some of the finest food in Lancashire. Head chef Jamie subscribes to an ethos of locally sourced ingredients and simple yet tasty food that lets its quality shine through. From grouse, pheasant and partridge to beef and lamb, there’s something for every taste and budget in either the main restaurant or bar.
I recommend… homemade black pudding followed by the delicious shoulder of Lonk lamb.
2) The Midland Hotel, Morecambe, Lancashire
The Midland Hotel is an art deco delight! Lovingly restored while still embracing its history, the hotel offers chic surroundings alongside things like traditional afternoon tea. However, the Sun Terrace Restaurant and Rotunda Bar offer some delightful and much heartier meals. There are sharing boards that can be assembled with your own choice of meat, fish, vegetables and cheese, traditional meaty meals with a luxurious twist and some impressive veggie options that venture beyond just cheese.
I recommend… pan fried polenta cake finished off with a classic vanilla crème brulee.
3) The George Hotel, Cley, Norfolk
The George Hotel in Norfolk has it all. As well as sitting over a set of salt marshes home to birds like bitterns, marsh harriers and bearded tits (that you can see right from the comfort of some of the rooms), the George Hotel is a tranquil retreat housing vintage-inspired décor and a diverse variety of food. There’s traditional British fare for traditionalists, continental cuisine for adventurous types and a dessert menu that would make Gregg Wallace foam at the mouth!
I recommend… a three course treat of hazelnut coated goat’s cheese with a lemon and beetroot salad, Vietnamese shakin’ beef and the panacotta with poached rhubarb.
4) The Royal Hotel, Kirkby Longsdale, Cumbria
Surrounded by independent shops, sat near unspoilt countryside and boasting a set of truly lavish rooms to relax in upon your return, The Royal Hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore Cumbria. Their restaurant is just as impressive; home to rich, quintessentially British furnishings, a carefully curated collection of drinks and unfussy food that beats any Michelin star in terms of satisfaction.
I recommend… homemade soup of the day to start followed by the whole baked plaice with lemon and parsley butter.
5) The Stag and Huntsman, Hambledon, Oxfordshire
The Stag and Huntsman incorporates that perfect combination of old world village charm and casual pub culture. Steering clear of pretention, locals mingle with travellers over a variety of ales and the chefs serve food from a menu full of homey, comforting meals. The various menus suit a range of requirements, parties and budgets, all incorporating food that makes the most of seasonal produce and could have come straight from your childhood kitchen (with a little added flair of course).
I recommend…Â seared fillet of Mill End beef with a side of a side of sweet potato crisps.
Related Read: A Beautiful Weekend in Oxford