Staycations are becoming more and more popular these days (for obvious reasons), and with them the rise of day and weekend trips. To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together a roundup of our favourite dining spots all within a few hours from London. From country pubs to fine dining restaurants, this is a short guide for all keen foodies who would travel for truly good food.
The short day trip
Restaurant 22 in Cambridge – An hour and 30min drive / train ride
Restaurant 22 is headed by the super talented chef patron Sam Carter and restaurant manager and sommelier Alex Olivier and offers the perfect foodie escape. The newly restored original Victorian townhouse encompasses the warmth of the Cambridge community and boasts stained glass windows and high ceilings. The fine dining establishment is not only driven by culinary excellence, but also food waste reduction, meaning that the lunch menu as well as the tasting menus available are meticulously planned for each sitting. Only an hour and 30-minute’s drive away from London, Restaurant 22 is the perfect dining spot for those who seek a quick getaway in an idyllic setting complemented by exceptional food. Bookings are now open for 19th May onwards.
The Purefoy Arms in Hampshire – 2-hour drive / 4-hour train ride
If guests are looking for a summer day spent in an English countryside town but want to be back to catch the last train, The Purefoy Arms is the answer. Perched in a serene pub garden in Hampshire, The Purefoy Arms’s team are believers in good fun, but more importantly good food. The original red brick building is filled with smells from a kitchen where chef patron Gordon Stott uses seasonal produce and ingredients for the creation of the most delicious gastropub food over five separate menus, including a vegan and a tasting menu. Available to book is also the Purefoy Pod, a private little ‘bubble’ of safety taking centre stage in the garden that seats up to eight throughout the days and evenings (current regulations only allow people people or less or two households). Bookings are open now.
The weekend trip
Panoramic 34 in Liverpool – 4-hour drive / 3-hour train ride
Known for being one of Britain’s most entertaining cities, Liverpool offers an array of dining hotspots, including the stunning Panoramic 34. Set 300 feet above sea level on the 34th floor of the West Tower in Liverpool, this modern European restaurant is one of the UK’s highest restaurants. Having truly escaped the bustle of the city streets, guests can enjoy a cocktail at the bar, a quick lunch, an afternoon tea or an indulgent tasting menu, whilst admiring the 360-degree-views of the river, city and region beyond. Bookings at the Michelin-Guide-listed restaurant are now open for 20th May onwards.
The Brasserie and Karrek at St Enodoc in Rock, Cornwall – 5-hour drive / 4-hours and a half train ride
After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, de-stressing on a proclaimed staycation is on the minds of most Britons. The St Enodoc Hotel offers an exquisite hideaway in Rock (Cornwall), set on a hillside overlooking the Camel Estuary. Guests can experience delicious food, panoramic views and a breezy seaside-chic style in a peaceful spot. During the summer, food can be enjoyed alfresco on The Brasserie’s terrace – think local Porthilly oysters, fish and lobster landed in Padstow. At Karrek, the fine-dining restaurant led by executive chef Guy Owen, guests can experience an innovative tasting menu accompanied by delicious wine flights. Bookings are now open for the terrace and restaurants, and there’s still some room availability during the summer.
