Picture this. You’re about to tuck into a delicious lobster, caught just yards away in the harbour. You’ve found your favourite quiet spot on the beach; the outdoor camping stove is on, there’s sand beneath your toes, and you’ve the best sea view in town.
If this is your idea of perfection, Bridlington Bay is an absolute must-visit. What many don’t know is that Bridlington harbour has record-breaking status, bringing in over 300 tonnes of lobster every year. In fact, Bridlington Bay fleet catches and lands more lobster than anywhere else in the entirety of Europe, making Bridlington the official Lobster Capital of Europe.
Visitors may flock to coastal towns like Whitby for their fish and chip fix – but Brid is now pulling in the lobster-loving visitors at restaurants like Salt on the Harbour – where the dining room overlooks the fishing boats below (see routeyc.co.uk for foodie itineraries).
Food can be hugely enjoyable part of a staycation and Yorkshire punches above its weight when it comes to eating places – from rustic pubs with great beer to Michelin-starred restaurants, acclaimed bistros, street food go-tos, proud producers and rural farm shops.
In smart towns like Harrogate, lunching is a popular pastime – this is, after all, where the famous Bettys Tea Room was born – and there’s no sign of its popularity ever waning. In cities and market towns you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to tearooms, bakeries, artisan coffee houses, breweries and go-to fine dining spots.
The county is home to many a Michelin-starred restaurant, often with well-known chefs at the helm. Among them is Tommy Banks – he was the youngest winner of a Michelin star at The Black Swan at Oldstead and now has something of a foodie empire in Yorkshire - with Roots in York, headed up by Great British Menu’s Will Lockwood, and the recently opened rustic-chic Abbey Inn with rooms in beautiful Byland Abbey, pictured above. If you’re self-catering, his Made in Oldstead delivery business will send his signature dishes to your door too.
Gourmets who love to follow the stars should check out Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, The Angel at Hetton for chef Michael Wignall’s amazing food in chic Scandi-style surroundings. East Yorkshire is home to the renowned Pipe & Glass at Dalton with James Mackenzie at the helm or dine on very local produce in the heart of the moors at The Star, Harome.
5 food-lovers' gems in Yorkshire
Cheese please
The Courtyard Dairy in Settle is where Michelin chefs go to when they want to stock their restaurant cheeseboards, which says it all. Afficionados Kathy and Andy Swinscoe run the award-winning dairy where you can taste cheese, buy it and even join their cheese club for a regular fix. RIND restaurant has just opened.
thecourtyarddairy.co.uk
Pies & pints
Enjoy a laid-back Land Rover or Range Rover escorted tour around the Yorkshire Dales with the folks at The Coniston Hotel near Skipton. Let someone else take the wheel as you indulge in the Picnics & Prosecco tour being driven around that spectacular scenery or a hearty Pies & Pints experience that showcases some of the very best watering holes – and beer - Yorkshire is famous for. From £89pp.
Theconistonhotel.com
Foodie retreat
Goathland’s Homestead Kitchen in the stunning North York Moors village is an award-winning restaurant that is a dream of a dining spot with Peter and Cecily your hosts. Food is all about making the most of the provenance from the surroundings – such as fish or game - including veg from the plot out back!
Thehomesteadgoathland.com
Island (food) paradise
In Shefield, gourmets know to head to Kelham Island which is a haven for street food and independents. Kelham Island Food Tours have teamed up with the great food and drink businesses to offer a unique eating and drinking experience. Coffee, cheese, chocolate, beer, gin, award winning restaurants and pubs and the largest food hall in the north… There is a lot to go at.
Welcometosheffield.co.uk
Magical Malton
This vibrant North Yorkshire Market Town is the self-styled ‘Yorkshire Capital of Food’ with a thriving artisan food scene based around Talbot Yard – converted stables which house everything from a French pâtissier making chic macarons to a butcher making the ultimate pork pies. Malton food tours let you experience – and taste - it all.
visitmalton.com
This article appeared in the Great British Staycations magazine.
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