Iconic UK food and drink destinations for tourists to explore on a road trip

The United Kingdom has a range of beautiful locations, towns and cities, that are ideal for those looking for a short getaway or staycation. For tourists seeking to discover new food and drinks to try out, there are a range of locations to visit in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – from trying out Guinness in Ireland to tasting haggis for the very first time in Scotland, there are many great places to explore.

In a variety of locations there are many restaurants, cafes, distillery tours and more, where visitors can explore the local produce and specialities. There are even many great food festivals to book in the UK this year, such as the London Craft Beer Festival and Scottish Wild Food Festival. Whether travellers are going by train or heading out on a motorhome road trip, here is a selection of the finest driving routes to sample some of the best scenery – plus food and drink – that Great Britain has to offer.

The Causeway coast in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s Causeway coast offers windswept sandy beaches, striking cliffs and ruined castles, all peppered with picturesque towns and villages. The Causeway coast designated driving trail begins in Belfast and culminates at the epic Giant’s Causeway. For visitors who love their food and drinks and want to try some Irish specialities, there are delights aplenty, as the route is dripping with artisan producers and friendly restaurants serving fresh, locally sourced produce.

One of the most famous stop-offs to visit on this route is Harry’s Shack. The beach shack-style restaurant sits at the entrance to the National Trust-owned Portstewart Strand. The pan-fried fish here is renowned far and wide. In County Antrim there are many exciting locations to visit on a road trip, such as Dunseverick Castle and the Old Bushmills Distillery. This distillery in County Antrim is home to one of the world’s most famous whiskies. Visitors can take a tour of the oldest working distillery in Ireland and sample a generous slug of some of Bushmill’s legendary smooth tipples.

For a road trip to visit these interesting locations, a motorhome can be a great vehicle to travel in. For suitable vehicles in Northern Ireland, Thompson Leisure have a range of high-quality motorhomes for sale and for hire. People on their motorhome adventures can also visit the town of Portrush, which lies around two thirds of the way along the Causeway Coastal Route (assuming drivers are heading from Belfast to Londonderry), and every autumn hosts the Portrush Beer and Food Festival.

Michelin-starred locations local specialities in North West England

If tourists want to visit fabulous locations in England instead, the North West coast has some great places for foodies and outdoor adventurists to explore. For visitors wanting a fine dining experience on their trip away from home, Cumbria is home to many high-class Michelin starred restaurants. Forest Side in Grasmere and Old Stamp House in Ambleside are just two of the great Michelin restaurants for people to visit during their stay in the area. Cumbria also offers a plethora of farmers’ markets and amazing food festivals, with iconic places to explore such as Kendal, Ravenglass and Penrith.

With the stunning pocket of lakes, mountains and coastline tucked just above Lancashire and below the Scottish borders, there are many beautiful locations in this area for any foodie, or hiker, looking for something new to try. One of Cumbria’s most popular holiday destinations to explore, for those who love nature and outdoors, is the Lake District. Here visitors will find a host of traditional pubs serving hearty meals, alongside other local specialities in the area including Cumbrian sausage, Herwick lamb, Grasmere gingerbread, Kendal mint cake and many more.

Scottish seafood delights

Scotland is just one of many locations in the United Kingdom that boasts amazing food and flavours for people to try. Though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, haggis is one iconic Scottish dish that definitely divides tourists, but can be intriguing to try out too. On a Scottish road trip, tourists can also try other Scottish dishes too, such as neeps and tatties and even a full Scottish breakfast.

Scotland’s west coast boasts some of the most beautiful and rugged scenery in the whole of the UK. The inland sea lochs, islands and miles of unspoilt beaches make the west coast a bucket list driving tours for many. The west coast’s seafood trail is the dream for seafood lovers, where they can take in restaurants, waterfront eateries and freshly caught catches of the country’s finest creel-caught crabs, lobsters, langoustines, oysters and hand-dived scallops.

Whether tourists are travelling in their car or by motorhome, there are so many scenic locations to see on a tour of the Scottish coast. The west coast is home to some of Scotland’s finest scenery, historic sights and ancient tales. Whisky-lovers touring Scotland can also combine fine seafood with west coast distilleries stretching from Campbeltown to the Isle of Skye and Fort William.

Portions aplenty in Pembrokeshire, Wales

When exploring the UK, Wales is another great location to visit and discover new food and drinks. The county of Pembrokeshire has some of the most stunning places to see, with jaw-dropping scenery, pretty villages, ancient castles and over 100 beaches to choose from, which makes this a fabulous location for a touring holiday. For foodies, there is local produce available at a range of markets throughout Pembrokeshire, as well as a selection of vineyards producing quality Welsh wines.

Those searching for a new food festival to visit should consider the charming market town of Narberth, which is famed for its annual food festival. It takes place in September and celebrates the best of Welsh food and drink. Pembrokeshire also has plenty of gastro pubs where one can sample the local lamb, Welsh beef, and fresh seafood caught from the local harbours. One dish that is becoming well renowned in Pembrokeshire is poussin, which now features in the food halls of Marks and Spencers across the county.

The area of Pembrokeshire is also teeming with history, so is an ideal place to visit on a UK road trip. If visitors are passing through in their motorhomes or cars, they’ll pass through Fishguard, the location of the last invasion of Great Britain in 1797, St Davids, the smallest cathedral city in the UK, and Tenby from where one can take a boat to the Monastic Island of Caldey.

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