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What are your must-haves when booking a holiday?
Is it guaranteed sunshine, or exploring new places with plenty to see and do, be that beautiful rural landscapes or bustling cities? Are you needing to keep kids entertained, wanting to feast on the finest local food, or simply looking for a break from everyday life?
Sadly, the whole “guaranteed sunshine” thing just isn’t possible here in the UK. But the rest is: whether it’s city breaks, seaside trips or rural retreats, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t rule the UK out when it comes to foodie destinations, either. Our tiny island is packed full of amazing food and drink producers – including a wealth of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products. These designations are given to food and drink products as an indicator of quality: a PDO or PGI product’s name can only be given when the product is made in the right place, using the right methods – much like Champagne (we Brits have to call the UK-made stuff “English sparkling wine” instead).
The UK (and the Crown Dependencies) have a grand total of 69 protected products. Visiting the homes of all of these products is a tempting prospect – what better way to celebrate British food?!
Here are the three parts of the UK home to protected products that would be top of my list. If you’re planning your own UK foodie break, don’t forget to check out eBooking to find somewhere to stay. With millions of properties (from hotels to apartments to holiday homes); no prepayment, surcharges or hidden costs and no cancellation fees, eBooking.com will take away some of that pre-holiday stress!
1. Cornwall
Cornwall is a stunning place to visit – parts of it feel like being in the Mediterranean! But don’t forget to check out its amazing PGI and PDO products too!
West Country Lamb and West Country Beef are on the list, along with West Country Farmhouse Cheddar. More specific to Cornwall itself, check out the seafood: Cornish Sardines and Fal Oysters need to be tried!
Of course, there are two other fantastic products that everyone will associate with Cornwall…Cornish Clotted Cream (PDO status) and the Cornish Pasty (PGI status) – which must have at least a 25% vegetable and 12.5% beef content to be a true Cornish pasty.
2. Leicestershire
Head to the East Midlands and you’ll find plenty to see and do in Leicestershire: the National Space Centre, Belvoir Castle and Twycross Zoo, for starters. But the county’s also known for a variety of protected foods – and drinks.
The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is probably one of the best-known – and Melton Mowbray itself has described itself as “the rural capital of food”. It’s also one of the places licensed to produce Stilton Cheese (both white and blue).
Leicestershire – along with Rutland – is also one of the two places allowed to brew Rutland Bitter: a bitter brown/amber ale that’s around 3.4% ABV.
3. Yorkshire
York itself is a beautiful city that’s steeped in plenty of history – but Yorkshire’s also a popular choice for those who love the great outdoors. With the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors to choose from, it’s a place that’s a paradise for keen hikers! While you’re there, don’t forget to book a table at The Owl Hawnby, near York – using local produce, it’s got a reputation for serving the best Sunday lunch in North Yorkshire.
It’s an amazing place for cheese-lovers to visit. Swaledale Cheese and Swaledale Ewes Cheese must both be produced in North Yorkshire’s Swaledale Valley, using traditional methods, and don’t forget about Yorkshire Wensleydale too. To be worthy of its PDI designation, Yorkshire Wensleydale must be produced in Wensleydale, and must use whole milk from cows that are grazed in the area.
Head there between around January and March and you’ll also be able to enjoy Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb – grown in the “Rhubarb Triangle” between Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford.
So there we have it: three areas to visit where you can enjoy some of the UK’s great PDO and PGI food and drink products. And if you need to make a hotel reservation, eBooking.com is there to help.