Taste Of Britain: A Foodie’s Ultimate Guide to the UK
6 June 2025
From Michelin-starred tasting menus to just-shucked oysters by the sea, Britain is enjoying a culinary renaissance.
With an ever-growing appreciation for provenance, sustainability and slow travel, the UK's food scene is now a destination in itself - where local ingredients, talented chefs and unforgettable settings collide. Whether you're swirling a glass in a sun-dappled vineyard, foraging in ancient woodland, or lingering over a multi-course feast, explorers of UK food travel are spoilt for choice.
At PoB Hotels, food and place are inextricably linked. Each hotel offers something distinctly British, rooted in its surroundings - from riverside restaurants and woodland kitchens to seafront terraces and floating dining rooms. Here’s our guide to the very best food and drink experiences across the UK for summer and early autumn 2025 - including the top UK food festivals, fine dining highlights and a delicious new culinary tour of Northern England with Matt Tebbutt.
The UK’s Best Food & Drink Events
Abergavenny Food Festival - Wales | 20-21 September
One of the best UK food festivals, each September the Welsh market town of Abergavenny transforms into a vibrant, all-senses celebration of food, drink and community. With over 200 artisan producers and exhibitors spread across six main venues, visitors can sample everything from Welsh cheese to locally distilled gin. Chefs from across the UK take to the demo stages, while the Drinks Theatre offers expert-led tastings of craft beers, natural wines and fine whiskies. Expect live music, a lively night market and the ever-popular Party at the Castle.
Stay at: The Angel Hotel, just steps away from the action, where fireside lounges and cream tea on arrival complete your countryside immersion.
Knebworth House Food Festival - Hertfordshire | 19-20 July
Set against the grand backdrop of one of England’s most iconic stately homes, Knebworth House Food Festival is a family-friendly celebration of UK gourmet travel and offers an irresistible weekend of feasting. Stroll through artisan markets, pick up tips at the chefs’ theatre, or take part in a foraging walk through the estate grounds. The live music stage provides a soundtrack to the delicious goings-on, while kids can enjoy interactive cookery workshops, craft tents and the much-loved Cake Off.
Stay at: Sopwell House, just a short drive away. With a sumptuous spa and impeccable service, it’s a calm counterpoint to the day’s indulgence.
Lymington Seafood Festival - Hampshire | 11-13 July
Overlooking the Solent and steeped in maritime tradition, Lymington Seafood Festival is a love letter to the South Coast’s seafood heritage. More than 100 dishes are served across the weekend, with highlights including fresh lobster rolls, oysters with Champagne, and wood-fired scallops. The Chef’s Stage showcases talent from the New Forest and beyond, and there’s also wine tastings and mixology masterclasses in the drinks tent.
Stay at: The Montagu Arms, just a short drive through the New Forest. After a day by the sea, return to roaring fires, fine wines and a refined dining experience at The Terrace.
Rock Oyster Festival - Cornwall | 24-27 July
Held on the banks of the Camel Estuary, the Rock Oyster Festival is a long weekend of music, food and outdoor adventure is one of Cornwall’s most anticipated summer events. The festival is curated by Paul Ainsworth and includes a line-up of chefs such as Angela Hartnett and Tom Brown, all cooking live in “The Kitchen”. Enjoy long-table feasts, firepit suppers, oyster shucking sessions and artisan produce from across the South West. With paddleboarding, wild swimming and morning yoga also on offer, it’s as nourishing for the soul as it is for the stomach.
Stay at: The seaside serenity that is The Nare, where sea views and seafood menus complete the perfect luxury foodie break.
The Big Feastival - Cotswolds | 22-24 August
Blending big-name music acts with gourmet credentials, The Big Feastival is a joyful weekend of food, fun and entertainment. Enjoy cooking demos from leading chefs, award-winning street food from across the UK, and family entertainment ranging from vintage fairgrounds to pop-up play zones. Don’t miss the Feast on the Farm experience, or the chance to stock up at the Producers’ Market.
Stay at: Ellenborough Park, offering UK gourmet travel at its finest - horse country, heritage suites, and a menu rich in local flavours.
Iconic Dining Experiences Worth Travelling For
Chef’s Table in Cumbria
New for 2025, this intimate ten-seat chef’s table at Farlam Hall is led by Hrishikesh Desai and offers a deeply personal and immersive dining experience in the hotel’s restored Tack Room. Expect a 12-14 course tasting menu inspired by Desai’s Indian roots and classical French training, showcasing seasonal British produce with exquisite finesse. Each course is introduced by the chef himself, paired with wines and Champagnes, and designed to spark conversation and discovery.
Dinner Afloat in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s only luxury floating hotel is a destination in its own right - and its fine dining restaurant is a hidden gem. Moored in the historic Port of Leith, Fingal’s Art Deco-inspired interiors set the stage for a menu built around the best of Scotland’s natural larder, perfect for a luxury foodie break. Think hand-dived scallops, Highland beef and house-smoked salmon, served alongside a finely tuned list of whiskies and wines. As the city lights reflect across the water, dinner here feels like a voyage of its own.
Riverside Dining in Colchester
Set on the banks of the River Stour and surrounded by Constable Country landscapes, Talbooth House’s riverside restaurant offers a charming mix of timeless British fare and modern flair. Seasonal menus feature dishes such as roast guinea fowl, day-boat turbot and an exceptional Sunday lunch. The terrace, with its views of willow trees and gently drifting boats, is the perfect spot for a summer lunch or celebratory dinner.
A Wine Lover’s Tasting Room in Berkshire
A destination for wine lovers, The Vineyard pairs a collection of 30,000 bottles with a kitchen that celebrates British produce and French technique, an essential stop on any UK gourmet travel itinerary. Executive Chef Tom Scade works closely with Romain Bourger, Director of Wine, to create a seamless tasting journey - with dishes designed to elevate the characteristics of each pour. Dining at The Vineyard is both relaxed and refined, with an emphasis on seasonality, artistry and sustainability.
Michelin Starred Dining in Devon
Hidden within the walls of a historic manor, Àclèaf at Boringdon Hall offers a MICHELIN-starred dining experience that blends modern British flavours with storytelling and flair. Chef Scott Paton’s menus shift with the seasons, but always reflect a commitment to produce, place and precision. Begin your evening in the Great Hall with an aperitif before being led into the soft glow of the restaurant - an atmospheric setting for a truly memorable meal.
Sustainable Gastronomy in Wiltshire
Proudly holding a Green MICHELIN Star, Whatley Manor’s Dining Room is a pioneer of sustainable gastronomy and is one of the best UK restaurants for those who want conscience with their caviar. Chef Ricki Weston’s seven-course tasting menu is inspired by the hotel’s organic gardens and local producers, with dishes designed to honour every ingredient’s story. Begin your experience in the kitchen with a canapé and glass of English sparkling wine, before moving into the elegant dining room for a quietly luxurious evening.
Matt Tebbutt’s Northern Foodie Tour
Looking for the ultimate luxury foodie break? TV presenter and chef Matt Tebbutt has curated an exclusive PoB Hotels culinary break through Northern England, designed to shine a spotlight on provenance, creativity and culinary storytelling.
Your journey begins in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley at Northcote, where Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on bold flavours, foraged ingredients and elegant simplicity. Expect a menu that pays tribute to the Forest of Bowland, with dishes that are as rooted as they are refined.
Next, travel into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and check in to Yorebridge House. Here, Chef Dan Shotton creates thoughtful, seasonal dishes that change weekly based on local supply, from Wensleydale lamb to foraged wild garlic. The restaurant’s candlelit ambience and commitment to terroir make it a favourite for intimate dinners.
From there, it’s north to the Lake District and the award-winning Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, where Asian-influenced menus meet Lakeland produce and luxurious spa suites offer the perfect digestif. Try the Gilpin Spice tasting menu before soaking in your private outdoor hot tub.
End your journey in style at Grantley Hall, a stately retreat in the Yorkshire countryside where Shaun Rankin’s restaurant offers a ten-course ‘Taste of Home’ menu. From the opening amuse-bouche to the final petits fours, it’s an ode to Yorkshire’s finest, perfect for those passionate about UK gourmet travel.
As Matt says, “Go north - and you’ll never go far wrong.”
Hungry for More?
From decadent dinners to dazzling festivals, there’s a reason why the UK is quietly one of the world’s most exciting food destinations. UK food travel is a sensorial journey - one that stirs nostalgia, sparks discovery, and deepens your connection to each place. With PoB Hotels at the heart of every stop, your next luxury foodie break is already plated up in our Seasoned to Perfection collection. So - where will your appetite take you next?
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