The great British menu…by destination
A perfect day’s menu of British delicacies
Published: Monday, 27 July 2026
A perfect day’s menu of British delicacies
Published: Monday, 27 July 2026
Imagine a day when you could visit the UK destinations that serve up the ingredients for the perfect breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Where would you go? What would you eat? We take a look at the ideal British menu, meal by meal and place by place…
What to eat: For a great British breakfast, the choice is to go traditional with a full English fry-up or try something a touch more contemporary: think smashed avocado, smoked salmon, poached egg and fancy condiments. Alternatively, you can take the continental route and start the day by sipping aromatic coffee and nibbling delicious pastries. So, is there a place in the UK where you can indulge all breakfast tastes?
Where to go: The destination to head to is London. Although none of the ingredients are likely to come from there, the capital is extremely big on breakfasts. The traditional East End is famous for its fry-ups, with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans – you name it – piled high. And vegetarian and vegan options are now found on many menus. Fashionable areas, like Shoreditch, are brilliant for brunch. And leafy Hampstead is the place for patisseries.
Where to stay: Best Western Victoria Palace Hotel
What to eat: Forget the skimpy sandwich – the midday meal needs to fill you with fuel for the day as well as tickling your tastebuds. Although there are lots of versions of the great British lunch, what they all have in common is heartiness. And there’s more than one place you can find them.
Where to go: With its slow-cooked lamb and crispy, golden potato topping. Lancashire hotpot is British classic. To enjoy it, go to the source – Lancashire itself – where you can enjoy authentic hotpots in pubs and cafés. Head further north to Cullen in Moray to get a taste of Cullen Skink, a thick, filling soup made from smoked haddock, potatoes, milk and onion. Down south in Devon you can enjoy a leisurely brunch-style lunch with local seafood and farm produce.
Where to stay: Best Western Lancaster Morecambe Lothersdale Hotel
What to eat: The great British menu isn’t complete without a mid-afternoon feast of scones, cakes, sandwiches, and, of course, a good choice of teas. So where are the best places to enjoy this traditional treat?
Where to go: Beautiful surroundings add to the pleasure of a leisurely afternoon tea. So why not sip your lapsang souchong and nibble on cucumber sandwiches in elegant environs when you go for tea in the Georgian splendour of Bath? Alternatively, you can go to Torquay in Devon, the home of the cream tea, and have scones and clotted cream by the sea.
Where to stay: Best Western Limpley Stoke Hotel
What to eat: A delicious dinner is the perfect way to round off your foodie day. Whether you go for the truly traditional like fish and chips or a roast, a hearty steak or a more gourmet option, there’s lots on the menu to choose from. So where are the UK’s dinner hotspots?
Where to go: The Georgian market town of Ludlow may be relatively small, but it’s gained a towering reputation as ‘the foodie capital of England’. That’s partly down to its range of restaurants, cafés and gastro pubs, and also because of locally sourced delicacies including cheeses and sausages. Mark it in your calendar as your dinner spot. Alternatively, Padstow and St Ives in Cornwall are the places to head for if you want seafood for your supper.
Where to stay: Best Western Valley Hotel
Delicious!
