A great British vacation is a beautiful experience for a variety of reasons, including rambling greenery turbulent coastal walks, charming villages that resemble Enid Blyton and charmingly old pubs. However, when we take a trip for an extended weekend in the countryside there is only one thing in mind the food.

Are you thinking that you’re thinking that the English aren’t very good in foodand drinks? You’re wrong. From the soft oysters, seasoned with salt, served along the Kent coast, up to New Forest asparagus drizzled with a smoky black garlic mayonnaise, and to Devon crabs wrapped in fresh ravioli, and sprinkled with grapefruit and ginger, or to English bubbly wine that is poured into sparkling flutes across the countryside.

If you’re looking for a trip that’s not only a basic sleepover but an entire feast it’s time to make this your top list of must-sees ranging from grand manors featuring Michelin-starred menus, to charming hotels with rooms serving pub favorites with a modern twist. Make sure you have a full stomach as you leave, and with a smile in your eyes.

Food and drinks at HH & Co restaurant, Lime Wood, New Forest

The Forest’s Favorite: Lime Wood, New Forest, Hampshire

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For starters

There aren’t many better English getaways that The New Forest – a sprawling old royal hunting grounds close to the coastline, and boasts numerous hiking trails, grazing wild ponies, and heather-covered heathlands. For those who love food, its most enthralling feature can be Lime Wood – a building that has the foundations of a grand house as well as the countryside of a country pile however, it is also home to the restaurants and bar are an all-star city hotel.

It’s stylish, fun and loaded with high-heeled country Livingdetails such as A boot room that has wellies to borrow for exploring the woods, fireplaces in suites to warm up cold feet and English countryside scents lining the contemporary, light-filled Herb House spa (where treatments are inspired by everything fresh and refreshing including lavender, rosemary as well as cannabis).

Dishy digs

Rooms of a variety of sizes are furnished with soft, sophisticated Farrow & Ball shades, and adorned with soft draped cushions and curtains. Forest Hideaway Suites span across two floors and come with their own living space and terrace for truly holiday getaways away from home.

Forest Cottages are spacious enough for four people – ideal for gatherings with friends or family as well as natural slate and wood décor and rustic kitchens with their own.

The peak escapism experience is located within The Lake Cabin, sleeping two and perched on stilts by the lake’s edge, complete equipped with a freestanding metal tub. The large windows, flooded with sunlight through the forest and feel as relaxing just as the bath.

Need to eat at this moment

Dining in the restaurant HH & Co – that’s Hartnett and Holder, as in the TV show Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder is the reason why you should book rooms here. The menu is rustic-luxe Italian food with a British accent – think fresh pasta with Cornish lobster, pork loin stuffed with artichoke, caramelised garlic and salsa verde or buttery gnocchi served with vegetables, rabbit, and parmesan.

The inn with a gourmet menu: The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds

For starters

The fairy-tale-themed pub that has high fireplaces, and layers of vines has attracted the attention of city fashionistas and influencers over the last couple of years. It was been open since the spring of 2021. 30 minutes away within a 30-minute drive from Oxford Station, it’s pure illustrations of children’s books on the outside, but inside it’s an elegant, swinging space of contemporary British cuisine, glamorous interiors, and live entertainment.

Sofas in a coral-colored velvet and sage-colored armchairs are a part of the brick walls of the pub and are complemented by a skylight-lit garden room as well as two gorgeous beer gardens. We recommend drinks under the candy-striped umbrellas in the front garden, as well as private nightcaps in the back garden. Every Sunday in the month, there is a wild live-music evening that draws crowds to the bar.

The skeletons of this 17th century Cotswold-stone inn for coaching are so charming that the staff has paired with modern, bold furniture to excellent impact. The room is awe-inspiring with beams of wood and a freestanding tub, an antique wardrobe, and a bedroom that is a hideaway. Other bathrooms have well-lit green bathtubs and headboards made of teal velvet or flowering feature walls.

Crimson hues run in this extravagant house that belongs to”Duke “Duke”, who you believe could be somewhat of an ogre. Toiletries are offered by 100 Acres which is an Cotswold brand, which is fragranced with lavender, geranium camomile, and linden flower.

Food-related moments that must be eaten

All of the meat, fish and vegetables here are cooked on coals So, you can take a look at an charred steak, a fish fillets or the hispi cabbage (dripping with mint butter) to get the best of the special smoky taste. Equally delicious are the oysters sprinkled with shallots and heart-shaped flatbreads that are smoky with nduja and honey. These people are knowledgeable about their food, so ask the staff for advice for the best combinations of fish and wine pairings. If you’re not the type of person who enjoys dessert the delicious salted caramel chocs made from scratch are the ideal mini sugar fix.

Breakfast is a bar-buffet consisting of door-top-thick breads, warm oven-warm pastries jams made from scratch, soft-boiled eggs. Or, you can choose more extravagant versions of the fry-up.