Why it should be on your radar: From punting
along Cambridge’s River Cam, to cycling through its winding
cobblestoned streets – or enjoying a pub crawl around its
old-school boozers – this university city makes a superb
long-weekend getaway for you and your gang. Beauty aside, it’s also
got a pretty tasty food scene. One of the city’s best-loved chefs,
Tristan Welch, tells us where to go for a marvellous munch.

Best restaurant: “Restaurant 22
gets my vote. Reserve a table for 8pm to enjoy its short tasting
menu, where olives meet seaweed and winter truffles by the
kilo.”

Best food store: “Culinaris is the
sort of place you enter to grab one thing and come out with bags
brimming. My basket? After stocking up on an enormous amount of
French, British and Italian cheeses, I reach for a crusty baguette,
pickles, hand-churned Italian butter, wild mushrooms and flat
peaches.”

Why it should be on your radar: Glasgow isn’t
necessarily the first place that springs to mind when planning an
under-the-radar gastronomic getaway, but hear us out. A hotbed of
artisan coffee houses and design-driven restaurants, it’s little
surprise that legendary chef Romy Gill gives it the thumbs-up.
Spend afternoons taste-testing haggis, before stopping off at
Bon
Accord – the best place for a sharp Scottish whisky.

Best restaurant: “Alchemilla is
Glasgow’s go-to when it comes to tasty and sustainable sharing
plates. Dishes are borrowed from the Mediterranean, and the
focaccia is superb.”

Best food store: “The shelves at Billington’s are loaded with homemade and locally
sourced produce. To take a slice of Glasgow home with you, grab a
hamper or design your own bespoke basket.”

Why it should be on your radar: We’ve said it
before and we’ll say it again: Somerset is a landscape oozing with
creativity. Look beyond the bucolic meadows and winding country
lanes and you’ll find a bevy of sustainable restaurants, boutique
hotels and cutting-edge galleries. Bruton’s infectious spirit and
unconventional energy has long delighted resident Jemima Jones, one
half of restaurant, retail and events space Wild by Tart. We asked
her to let us in on the best foodie hotspots this place has to
offer.

Best restaurant: “Holm is our
favourite restaurant. Its laid-back dining room is housed within a
converted barn, and the farm-to-table menu is exceptional.”

Best food store: “It’s impossible for us to
pick one, so have two. At The Chapel is one to watch – a restaurant with
rooms, wine store and bakery all at one address. Then, there’s
Pinsents
Deli in Castle Cary, where we suggest stuffing your basket with
cheese wheels and truffle sausages.”

Why it should be on your radar: Wales offers
one of the UK’s most rugged landscapes. With three vast national
parks, dramatic mountain ranges and a smattering of quintessential
harbour towns, we’re pegging it as the ultimate city escape. To
adventure in the same style as chef James Knappett, head to the
bleak but beautiful setting of the Brecon Beacons.

Best restaurant: “Located on the edge of
Snowdonia National Park, Ynyshir is Wales’ first two-Michelin-starred
restaurant. It’s run by a great friend of mine, Gareth Ward, who
constantly upgrades the menu to reflect the restaurant’s nearby
surroundings. Upstairs, there are 10 cosy rooms, should you wish to
linger a little longer.”

Best food store: “For all your Welsh lamb
needs, swing by the Welsh Venison Centre.”

Why it should be on your radar: Windsor is
often recognised for its royal roots, but beyond its charming
ceremonial backdrop lies a town dotted by quirky cafés, bohemian
boutiques and a handful of very good gastropubs. We caught up with
Chet Sharma to get the inside scoop on his favourite foodie
boltholes.

Best restaurant: “Nestled on the edge of Home
Park, Windsor Farm Shop draws crowds for its pure-bred
Sussex beef. Housed in what were originally Victorian potting
sheds, it’s worth visiting for its coffee shop alone.”

Best food store: “The Fifield Inn
serves up an excellent menu of elevated pub grub. Pizza-lovers
should order a slice of the Thai sweet chilli chicken option.
Vegetarian? Try the indulgent spinach and mascarpone
iteration.”

Why it should be on your radar: It’s hard to
believe, looking at its quaint red-brick, stone and timber
architecture, that Marlow is just a 30-minute drive from central
London. The only giveaway is the River Thames, which cuts through
its centre. But, according to our good friend Paul Ainsworth, this
place is much more than just a sleepy commuter town.

Best restaurant: “The Coach
is the sort of place you wish you owned yourself. It prides itself
on a small-dish culture, which works perfectly if you’re someone
who likes to order a plate of everything.”

Best food store: “There’s nowhere better than
The Butcher’s Tap and Grill – and I’m speaking about
the whole of the UK here, not just Marlow. Picture a high-street
butcher merged with a traditional pub. Choose your favourite
British-reared meat and relax with a cold drink while it’s expertly
cooked. Alternatively, grab a takeaway and enjoy a feast back at
base.”

Why it should be on your radar: Less than a
two-hour train ride from London, this cathedral city makes for an
ideal day trip. A go-to destination for city-dwellers who are led
by their stomachs, York’s streets are packed with vibrant
independent restaurants. Here, chef Tommy Banks lets us in on the
lesser-known hangouts that locals like to frequent.

Best restaurant: “From its exterior, Cresci
Pizzeria may not look like anything major – blink and you’ll
miss it – but it serves some of the best Neapolitan pizzas I’ve
ever tasted, and I’ve had a fair few in my time.”

Best food store: “Hidden down Nunnery Lane is
the amazing Flori Bakery. At the weekend, you’ll likely
hear it before you see it, thanks to the buzz of its loyal
following. Its pastries are something dreams are made of.”

Why it should be on your radar: It’s no secret
that Edinburgh has become one of the hottest staycation
destinations the UK has to offer, and for good reason. With a
thriving food and drink scene, the endless gastronomic options can
at times feel somewhat overwhelming. So, we called in the
award-winning chef Robert Hall Mc-Carron to nail down the
must-visit scoffing spots in the Scottish capital.

Best restaurant: “Spry isn’t
exactly a restaurant, but this is the ideal setting for a
scrumptious selection of sharing plates. Don’t visit without trying
the dumplings – they’re sensational.”

Best food store: “I.J. Mellis is a
cheese-lover’s paradise. Swing by to grab the essentials, and,
after browsing the impressive selection of charcuteries and wines,
be sure to pick up a couple of its famous sausage rolls.”