11 Top Foodie Staycation Spots In The UK

4th February 2025 | By Natasha Harding


We’ll gladly travel for great food. Thankfully, the UK has plenty of culinary destinations right on our doorstep that we can turn into an overnight or mini weekend getaway. Here to help you discover the very best ones to book, we’re sharing our picks of the best foodie staycation spots in the UK, many with Michelin accolades and even on-site accommodation options (making your trip that bit easier)…

England

The Fat Duck, Bray

With Blumenthal himself described as ‘the greatest gastronomic magician of his generation’… this is one meal you won’t forget.

With three Michelin Stars to its name and having been voted Best Restaurant In The World by World’s 50 Best, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck is on almost every foodie’s bucket list. Every course is designed to be an immersive and theatrical experience, which leads to ‘dinner as a show’. With Blumenthal himself described as ‘the greatest gastronomic magician of his generation’ – think: Willy Wonka, if he owned a restaurant – this is one meal you won’t forget. Of course, the price for booking is almost as famous as the establishment, so best keep this one for a special occasion.

Stay at: Bray Cottages

where: High St, Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2AQ
Website: www.thefatduck.co.uk

The Rose, Deal

The Rose in Deal is one of those places that you’ve likely seen cropping up on the Instagram feeds of foodie folk. With a beautiful hotel attached, the restaurant has become a destination for the culinary-inclined.

With a beautiful hotel attached, the restaurant has become a destination for the culinary-inclined.

A feast first for the eyes, and then your stomach, each dish on the seasonal changing menu is immaculately presented, after which, you can go for a walk along the beach (which is just a two-minute walk away), go for a glass of natural wine at the sister establishment, The Blue Pelican, or simply head upstairs to your room and do absolutely nothing.

Stay at: The Rose Hotel

where: 91 High street, deal, Kent ct14 6ed
Website: www.therosedeal.com

Angela’s, Margate

If you’re a seafood savant, you’re in for a treat at Angela’s. Located a stone’s throw away from the water, expect the freshest catches teamed with understated interiors that let the food speak for itself. Celebrating local produce and simple, seasonal vegetable-based dishes, you can’t go wrong with this one. Plus, just around the corner is Angela’s sister restaurant, Dory, a seafood bar, which you can also try to double your luck on the bookings front.

Expect the freshest catches teamed with understated interiors that let the food speak for itself.

At just under two hours from Paddington station, we recommend booking in for lunch or dinner, after exploring the beachfront and the vintage shops inside the quaint city center.

Where to stay: Angela’s, Margate

where: 21 The Parade, Margate CT9 1EX
Website: www.angelasofmargate.com

The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge

Crowned the UK’s best gastropub at the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards in January and firmly on the 2024 Michelin Guide, The Unruly Pig in Suffolk is definitely worth a trip for a truly memorable dining experience.

Crowned the UK’s best gastropub at the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards in January and firmly on the 2024 Michelin Guide.

The kitchen sources 70% of its ingredients locally, ensuring fresh, seasonal dishes that honour Suffolk’s heritage. The menus changes seasonally and according to what comes in fresh from the market each day (so dishes can change at very short notice).

Stay at: The Jockey Club Rooms

Where: Orford Road, Bromeswell, Nr Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2PU
Website: www.theunrulypig.co.uk

The Mason’s Arms, Clanfield

While you might have heard of the Double Red Duke in Clanfield (an impressive gastropub in its own right), chances are you haven’t yet tried the hotel’s brand-new pub offering across the road from the hotel.

Newly opened and brimming with personalised touches – such as an ornate ‘help yourself’ punch bowl, and BYO record night each week – along with fresh, quality ingredients, this is the spot for those who want fine dining, minus the fuss. Expect a seasonal menu with limited supply (once it’s gone, it’s gone), friendly service, and a lively local atmosphere.

This is the spot for those who want fine dining, minus the fuss.

Read our full review of The Mason’s Arms & The Double Red Duke here.

Stay at: The Double Red Duke.

where: Bampton Rd, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RG
website: www.countrycreatures.com

George & Dragon, Clifton

Leaning into the farm-to-fork approach is The George & Dragon, which proudly rears, forages and grows most of the ingredients you’ll find on its menus. And if the restaurant can’t produce it itself, it’ll try to source it locally. On the wine front, it’s a similar story, aiming to source as much as possible from small, family-run vineyards. Head Chef Paul McKinnon works closely with local supplier to ensure a fresh, seasonal and reactive menu.

Proudly rears, forages and grows most of the ingredients you’ll find on its menus

Stay at: The George & Dragon

where: Clifton, Penrith CA10 2ER
website: www.thegeorgeanddragonclifton.co.uk

Auberge du Lac, Welwyn Garden City

Tipped by this editor as ‘one to watch’ for an upcoming Michelin Star, this unsuspecting little cottage plays home to one of the best tasting menus in the region.

Recently reopening after a three-year hiatus, Auberge du Lac sees Head Chef John Barber make fine dining more accessible without compromising on quality or taste (something he definitely achieves).

Auberge du Lac sees Head Chef John Barber make fine dining more accessible without compromising on quality or taste

The estate itself is so beautiful that, you’ll likely want to arrive early to explore the grounds before your meal, or even book in for a round of golf.

Read our full review of Auberge du Lac here.

Stay at: Melbourne Lodge, Brocket Hall

where: Brocket Hall, Welwyn,
Hertfordshire AL8 7XG
website: www.brocket-hall.co.uk

Scotland

The Rabbit, Troon

Interiors and foodie fiends alike will find themselves in heaven at Marine Troon. One of the prettiest hotels in the UK, and also located on a golf course, this is a staycation where you can truly soak up the beauty of your surroundings.

Interiors and foodie fiends alike will find themselves in heaven.

Within the hotel lies The Rabbit (which overlooks its namesake, Hole 17, AKA Royal Troon’s trickiest par three), which is cooks up a storm by showcasing some of the best Scottish ingredients. Book in for breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner or, if you want our top tip, the Sunday roast, served with a side of live music.

Read our full review of Marine Troon here.

Where to stay: Marine Troon.

where: 8 Crosbie Rd, Troon KA10 6HE
website: www.marineandlawn.com

Northern Ireland

The Muddlers Club, Belfast

Tucked away on a backstreet of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, this Michelin haunt is named after the secret society that used to meet there over 200 years ago. The open kitchen and industrial-style decor create a relaxed atmosphere, while Chef Gareth McCaughey’s dedication to using top ingredients, including top-notch Irish produce, without overcomplicating things, makes for a meal that hits the mark every time.

This Michelin haunt is named after the secret society that used to meet there over 200 years ago.

Stay at: The Fitzwilliam Hotel

address: 1 Warehouse Lane, Belfast, BT1 2DX
website: www.themuddlersclubbelfast.com

Wales

The Walnut Tree

Hill identifies more with “the rough side of Michelin” focusing more on ingredients and flavours over delicate arrangements.

Something of an institution in Wales, The Walnut Tree has a Michelin Star to its name, and plenty of soul. Featuring an à la carte menu that changes daily, and Chef Shaun Hill (with his 50 years’ of experience) in the kitchen just as often, the dishes on offer reflect the type of food Hill likes to eat himself. Described as ‘a chef’s chef’, Hill identifies more with “the rough side of Michelin” focusing more on ingredients and flavours over delicate arrangements.

Stay at: The Walnut Tree Inn

Address: Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny NP7 8AW
Website: www.thewalnuttreeinn.com

Fernery, Narberth

Holding four AA Rosettes, Fernery is founded on the principle that the key to great quality food is fresh, local ingredients. Executive Chef, Douglas Balish, works closely with The Grove of Narberth gardening team to plan what will be grown for the season ahead in tandem with the menus.

Fernery is founded on the principle that the key to great quality food is fresh, local ingredients.

One element that makes this particular set menu offering stand out from its contemporaries is the non-alcoholic drinks pairing option, crafted with Head Sommelier Cathryn and Executive Chef Balish.

Stay at: The Grove of Narberth

address: Molleston, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA67 8BX
website: www.ferneryrestaurant.co.uk


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