When it comes to British cuisine, beyond the well-known "fish and chips," it is hard to think of any other delicacies. However, this is not the case; our beautiful Great Britain is by no means inferior in the culinary field, hiding three little-known British gourmet paths.You can enjoy a sumptuous six-course meal while admiring the scenery in the English Lake District, taste authentic malt whisky along the birthplace of Scotch whisky, or visit Kinsale, a renowned gourmet capital in Ireland. By immigrating to the UK, you will discover that the food here is definitely more than just "fish and chips."
The famous British poet William Wordsworth once described the Lake District as: "The loveliest spot that man hath ever found." It possesses a typical rural countryside atmosphere, where you can enjoy a lakeside meal while admiring the beautiful scenery.
The Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel is located on the secluded southern shore of Ullswater. Its rare beauty makes it legendary, offering views of the half-mile-wide lakeshore. It features luxurious tea service and a world-renowned six-course meal, with dessert being a grand tradition here.
There is another famous luxury hotel in the Lake District called Miller Howe; in the local dialect, "Howe" means "hill." The former owner and honorary chef of this Edwardian-style hotel, John Tovey, enjoyed a great reputation in the English culinary world. At this hotel, you can enjoy the charming views of Lake Windermere and the Langdale Pikes. You can also enjoy the highly acclaimed five-course meal. This experimental British feast is now continued by Tovey's disciple, Susan Elliott, who provides guests with a magnificent and dramatic dining mode accompanied by dim lighting. The hotel's service is excellent, the family-party atmosphere is very comfortable, and it is famous for its diverse selection of wines and rich desserts.
If you want to see the most beautiful panoramic view of this place, you can climb Orrest Head. This is the only path for a walk along the lake after a hearty lakeside breakfast at Miller Howe. The best shooting location here is Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England.
Just as true champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France, you can only taste authentic Scotch whisky by coming to Scotland. What makes this country proud, besides the "Whisky Trail," are the many distilleries in the Scottish Lowlands, which are just a day's easy journey from Edinburgh. But the Scottish Highlands are the most famous region for the country's legendary national drink—malt whisky (from the Gaelic word for "water of life"). This region has been distilling whisky for hundreds of years. There are road signs on the way to the picturesque Eastern Highlands (Grampian)—the capital of Western whisky production. Following these signs, visitors can reach some unforgettable places where they can discover the secrets of brewing malt whisky. Seven or eight world-famous distilleries are located on this route.
Among them, you must visit the Glenlivet distillery and the Glenfiddich distillery, and you can also visit the Cardhu distillery in Archiestown. Although these distilleries are hidden in the Spey Valley, once you arrive, you will understand that the flavors of these world-class single malt whiskies are completely different. The water is the key to brewing top-tier whisky here. The quality of the barley and the amount of peat in the fire during the brewing process are also very important. On the other hand, blended Scotch whisky is made from up to 60 single malt whiskies, ensuring that every bottle has the same characteristics. After tasting these "waters of life," some visitors may be slightly tipsy and unable to distinguish the difference between this glass of "happy amber elixir" and the next.
In Ireland, which for a long time only had corned beef and cabbage, the seaside town of Kinsale is regarded as the "Gourmet Capital." This may sound a bit ironic, but since the start of the Irish culinary revolution, this beautiful small town located on the Irish Sea, where you can go yacht fishing, along with its numerous large and small restaurants that make people linger, has attracted discerning foodies from all over the world.
The Blue Haven Hotel is one of the most famous hotels here, and the annual "Kinsale International Gourmet Festival" is held here. It features top Irish cuisine, and the seafood here is very famous, including Connemara lobster, Dublin Bay prawns, plump Bantry Bay scallops, and venison from the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.
The breakfast here is also very famous; a seven-course Irish meal will definitely keep you energetic all day. When the "Kinsale International Gourmet Festival" arrives, visitors can also see the "Housewife of the Year" cooking demonstration and oyster shucking performances. Although more and more tourists are attracted by its reputation, it is still a great place for a walk. After enjoying the food, you can take a walk by the harbor. The cobblestone streets are lined with light-colored 18th-century houses, and the harbor is full of boats floating with the waves. You can head straight to The Spaniard Inn to enjoy the hilltop scenery, simple food, and Irish music that will make you tap your feet spontaneously.