Best hotel

Sponsored by The Eco Laundry

The latest addition to Artist Residence's collection of stunning design-forward hotels, this Bristol venue in the creative community of St Pauls was once a boot factory. Rooms are uniquely styled and lean into the building's industrial past.

This hotel and spa nestled within lush gardens and 275 acres of Devon countryside was first opened by Great Western Railway as a golf resort in 1930. Today it's one of the region's top destinations for families, friends and couples.

A stone's throw from the bustling streets of St Ives, Carbis Bay Estate offers refuge and respite for those seeking escape from the holiday crowds. The luxury estate, hotel and spa includes a private 25-acre Blue Flag beach, with many rooms enjoying views of the azure waters.

Perched on rocks overlooking St Mawes harbour, this luxury 18-bedroom hotel is a popular destination for gourmet getaways. Its restaurant, led by exec chef Dorian Janmaat, received the prestigious Trencherman's Award for Creativity and Innovation in 2022.

Part of Paul Ainsworth's growing empire in foodie Padstow, this slick cocktail and pintxos bar above the chef's flagship fine-dining restaurant is a must for spirit connoisseurs.

A great hotel bar with a killer cocktail list is a godsend when staying somewhere new. The bartenders at No.15 in Bath use premium British spirits, syrups and bitters to craft an imaginative bill of drinks.

The creative cocktail menu at this St Ives find was designed by head barman Ky Belk, who has over 30 years of industry experience. Expect to sample off-piste concoctions made from the finest distillations.

Thronging with houseplants and bathed in natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass shopfront, this North Street cafe is an inviting spot to kick back with a locally roasted coffee. Stick around for brunch, lunch or something sweet, then make a return trip for drinks on Fridays and Saturdays when it's open till late.

The duo of Bread & Butter venues on Truro's River Street (one a cafe, the other a takeaway and deli) ensures visitors are expertly fed and watered, however much time they have to spare. It's worth carving out an hour to feast on a stack of pancakes and sink a flat white at the cafe space.

On first impressions, this popular Bridport cafe appears to be a takeaway set-up and deli. However, venture through the small corridor and you'll find a spacious dining room and courtyard garden where you can tuck into delicious homemade dishes.

The team behind this hole-in-the-wall cafe focus on just three things: speciality coffee, hog-roast baps and homemade doughnuts. This formidable trio makes it almost impossible to order just one of the delicious items from The Whole Hog's pared-back menu.

by Bread & Butter

From the outside, this venue on St Nicholas Street appears to be an antique bookshop but venture in and pass through the secret doorway to discover an intimate drinking den serving speakeasy-style drinks.

BATH

Four generations of the Padfield family have kept cows on Park Farm and cheddar has been made on the 240-acres of farmland since 1914. Graham Padfield started making cheese again in 1990 and the jewel in his range is this highly rated soft cheese.

You'll find Philip Warren's grass-fed beef on the menus of some of the UK's best restaurants, including Coombeshead Farm in Launceston, Pasture in Bristol and L'Enclume in the Lake District.

Trewithen's indulgent butter is crafted using fresh cream from farms within 25 miles of its Lostwithiel dairy, along with a touch of Cornish sea salt. The eco-focused company was named Sustainable Champion in the Food Reader Awards 2022.

Yumello founders Esther and Omar met in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Over a decade later, they were inspired by the traditional Berber spreads that fuelled their trekking to establish a planet-friendly peanut butter brand in Wells.

Bath

The team at Eversfield Organic only reopened this historic Dartmoor pub at the start of 2023 but have already accrued a dedicated following for their hearty food made from 100 per cent organic produce.

This coaching inn on the edge of Dartmoor placed 12th in the Top 50 Gastropubs list this year. Since taking over the pub in 2013, chef-owner John Hooker has made The Cornish Arms a destination dining pub where foodies flock to taste local ingredients crafted with creative flair.

Chef-patron Tom Hannon and partner Katie have created a cosy space on the edge of Truro city centre in which to indulge in classic pub fare and fine wines. Cornish produce is at the heart of every dish, with an ever-changing menu taking inspiration from both land and sea.

Part of the Beckford Group of dining pubs and restaurants across Somerset and Wiltshire, The Talbot Inn is a special find for a rural gourmet getaway. Like its sister establishments, the 15th-century pub has been thoughtfully refurbished and decked out with luxurious touches.

BRIDE

‘A wine that sparkles, rather than a sparkling wine’ is how the team at Bride Valley describe their Dorset Crémant. The only Crémant to be produced in the region (possibly the UK), it's already scooped a number of international wine awards.

Established in March 2020, Devon Rum Co. crafts an exciting range of spirits from its Island Street HQ in Salcombe. The team source the finest rums from Jamaica and Guyana and blend them with soft Devon spring water, aromatic spices and natural ingredients.

The headliner in Sandford Orchards' range of authentic ciders, Devon Red is loved across the South West and beyond. The crisp and fruity medium cider is made from Farmer's Glory, Dabinett and Sweet Alford apple varieties at Sandford's historic cider mill in Crediton.

This irresistibly juicy extra pale ale from Verdant is described by its brewers as ‘sessionable, quenching and totally addictive’. The Penryn brewery has gained a cult following for its funky craft beers and eye-catching can art – fans can pay a visit to its taproom to sample the goods at source.

BIRD

Joff and Annie Bird founded this Wilton farm shop in 2006, which was followed by a sister cafe and B&B in a former post office in Fonthill in 2020. This original shop is where visitors and locals go to stock up on homemade goodies and artisan ingredients from regional producers.

This eco-focused farm shop on the Cornish coast is powered by 84 solar panels on its roof, cutting the shop and cafe's carbon emissions by 12 tonnes each year. Inside, visitors will find an Aladdin's cave of gorgeous goodies – from homemade pies, quiches and cakes to locally crafted tipples.

For a taste of the local terroir, those staying in and around Axminster head to this family-run farm shop to fill their bags with homegrown veg, Lyme Bay fish, local cheese, Devon cider and more. Malcolm and Angela Miller established the shop over 40 years ago and it's now run by their son James and his wife Olivia.

This tiny farm shop and cafe just off the Atlantic Highway is a find for top-notch coffee and food while travelling along Cornwall's northern coastline. After refuelling in the cafe, head to the shop to fill your boot with artisan food and drink, beautiful homewares and verdant houseplants.

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ASHBURTON COOKERY SCHOOL, DEVON

Catering for all abilities – from novices to keen home cooks to professional chefs – Ashburton Cookery School offers more than 40 courses of various lengths (half-day to five days). Chef director Darrin Hosegrove conducts Ashburton's team of experienced chefs in the execution of its numerous hands-on classes.

Glebe House is first and foremost a guest house, restaurant and smallholding, yet its Experience Days - from breadmaking to pasta classes – have become hugely popular. They're often hosted by Glebe House's head chef Sam Lomas.

Cooking over flame is one food trend that doesn't look like it's going to fizzle out anytime soon, and many keen alfresco cooks have beaten a path to High Grange near Axminster to learn the tricks of the trade from Luke Vandore-Mackay. The fire school hosts full and half-day experiences, which cover the full range of outdoor cooking techniques.

First opening its doors in 2000, Rick Stein's Cookery School in Padstow has taught thousands of budding home cooks how to elevate their fish dishes and expand their seafood recipe repertoire. Head chef lecturer Nick Evans has captained the cookery school since 2001.