Here at Oliver’s Travels, we love food. Aside from going on holiday, our main topic of office chat is what’s for dinner. This led us to think, ‘Hey, other people love food too! Let’s put together a bunch of the best self-catering foodie breaks in the UK, and then we can all obsess over who gets to go and try the kitchens out.’ Brilliant plan, guys!
A self-catering foodie break in the UK means you can fully immerse yourself in a region famed for its local produce, and it gives you the opportunity to cook up a storm in your own self-catering cottage. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the UK’s best foodie destinations and the loveliest luxury self-catering holiday villas with fantastic kitchens and dining areas. And they’re all within a stone’s throw of an incredible deli, butcher, farmers market or purveyor of fine booze.
Aside from all the money you’ll save, self-catering will let you indulge your inner Jamie Oliver and help form close-knit bonds with your family and friends. Enjoying a self-catered holiday means everyone can relax and have a glass or two of wine with dinner without worrying about the drive home or staying up as late as they like while the kids are sound asleep upstairs.
Our Best Foodie Breaks in the UK:
Ashburton, Devon
Famous for: Fantastic local farms and obligatory cream teas.
Shop here: The Ashburton Delicatessen is an award-winning foodie wonderland right on your doorstep, owned by a mother-and-son duo. Enjoy soups, tarts and salads freshly prepared from the open kitchen in the back of the shop, and leave with a basket brimming with local cheese and chutneys. Next, allow yourself to be beckoned over the street to The Fish Deli to choose the best daily catch for dinner. Grab some local, wild venison from WG Smith’s, and don’t forget to treat yourself to some delectable treats from Moor Chocolate, which is made in Devon by a Swiss chocolatier.
Stay here: Landscove Barns and Landscove House – This former dairy farm has been renovated to create a contemporary farmhouse and series of luxurious barns. The farmhouse kitchen is vast and has a contemporary country feel. Most of the barns have their own small hyper-modern kitchens, but the star of this property is the central professional kitchen and dining areas that can be hired for special events. The “industrial chic” look is stylish and casual in the central dining area, while the indoor/outdoor feel of the glass-roofed atrium space is a total jaw-dropper. If you’re a foodie family or a group of friends looking to celebrate, this is the place. The owners can also arrange for a massive selection of catering options if you’d rather not do the grunt work yourselves.
Marlow, Berkshire
Famous for: The Rebellion Brewery and being a veritable foodie mecca.
Shop here: Cowdery’s of Cookham is a local organic butcher’s shop. Providing customers with friendly advice, preparation tips and recipes – be sure to pop in for their sublime selection of ethically sourced UK meat and poultry – and to banter a bit with the knowledgeable staff. Fabulous French deli Deliciously French is just down the street from Cowdery’s and provides a vast array of French pates, cheeses, charcuteries and wine. Perfect for a picnic-style foodie lunch or a cosy evening in.
Stay here: Windsor Lion – Immerse yourself in history and style with a stay at Windsor Lion, a stunning Grade II listed property in the heart of Old Windsor. This unique home boasts a rich history dating back to 1876 when it served as part of the Old Windsor Tapestries factory, where Queen Victoria had her tapestries repaired. The property has undergone a complete renovation, carefully designed to preserve the original character and historical significance of the building while also incorporating modern styles and amenities. With its well-equipped kitchen, you can enjoy whipping up homemade meals, or our Concierge can arrange a private chef to cater for foodie breaks in the UK.
Cartmel, Lake District
Famous for: Circular sausages and incredible cheese.
Shop here: The area around Unsworth Yard Brewery is a treasure trove and a must-visit on a UK foodie break. Aside from the excellent beer and ales, the famous Cartmel Cheeses has mountains and mountains of terrific cheeses of every description; make sure to ask for tasters to help you make the right decision. There’s also a great artisanal bakery close by. On the third Friday of every month, Cartmel plays host to a fantastic food market, where you can stock up on more delights from the local area.
Stay here: Cartmel Mansion – Cartmel Mansion, a private retreat in the Lake District, offers luxurious spaces for up to 22 guests. This grand manor features sophisticated entertainment, including a cinema room, wine cellar, and even a restored Coca-Cola machine! The recently renovated domestic and commercial kitchens (yes, there are two!) are perfect for intimate family meals or for hosting larger events if you want to go all out and make full use of them. Relax in the beautifully furnished drawing room, enjoy celebratory meals in the dining room, or unwind in the cosy cellar snug. With stunning landscapes on your doorstep, this is one of the best foodie breaks in the UK.
Ayrshire, Scotland
Famous for: The freshest seafood, award-winning bacon, world-class potatoes and whisky.
Shop here: The long, dramatic coastline has some of the finest seafood in the UK, and the landscape is great for free-range meat and dairy. Needless to say, you can eat pretty well here. You can pay visits to many of the producers to really get a feel for the foodie passion in this area. While you’re close by, it’s definitely worth hopping on the ferry from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran. You can cycle around this small and wild island daily, making many foodie stops along the way. Make sure you take a backpack to bring back all your goodies! There’s a brewery, creamery, chocolatier, smokehouse, three excellent cheese producers and tipples at Isle of Arran Distillers, one of the last independent distilleries in Scotland.
Stay here: Ayrshire Castle – This castle was built in the 15th century as a wedding gift for Princess Mary, daughter of James II of Scotland. Now, six hundred years later, the castle has undergone a sympathetic renovation – enabling guests to feel like they’ve stepped back in time without compromising on luxury. The kitchen is one of the most unusual in Oliver’s Travels’ arsenal. Cook a traditional feast of incredible local produce under the arched ceiling on the Aga, and dine together in the medieval Great Hall. This property really comes into its own in the autumn, when the crackling fire and candelabras can be fully appreciated.
Chipping Norton, The Cotswolds
Famous for: Stinking Bishop and Gloucester Old Spot
Shop here: The local farmers’ market runs on the third Saturday of the month and is a smorgasbord of good, honest produce from suppliers. Whether you’re on the hunt for fruit and vegetables or meats and cheeses, turn up hungry, you’ll need room for samples. There are plenty of lovely delis in the area, and Jamie Oliver’s wildly popular foodie festival, The Big Feastival, takes place at Alex James’ farm close to Chipping Norton every August.
Stay here: Cotswold Barn – Just a short drive from charming tea shops and pubs selling some of the finest locally brewed real ale, this modern hideaway is perfect for a foodie getaway with a large group. Inside, the cosy and full-of-character barn is full of exposed beams, modern interiors, and luxurious bathrooms. The spacious barn exudes country-chic vibes!
Hungry for more? Check out our other holiday homes to help plan foodie breaks in the UK, or call our concierge team to get their suggestions on the best kitchens around. If you want to read up on destinations in the UK, take a peek at our travel guides to find out the best sights, things to do and foodie picks. And, if you’re feeling foodie but want to leave the hard work to a pro, we even have a chef service at Oliver’s Travels, where we can arrange for a gourmet caterer to come to you!
Beautiful photos and a great source of info and details. Thank you so much for sharing.