Exploring The Eating-Local Scene On A Camping Holiday

We are extremely fortunate in the UK to have many marvellous sources of food right on our doorsteps. Unfortunately, all too often, we eat food imported at great environmental cost from abroad. Often this food not only comes with a heavy carbon cost, it is also of an inferior quality to home grown or home caught produce. A camping holiday can be a great opportunity to explore the local food scene in various areas. Here are just a few of the local food delights that you can discover across the UK:

East NeukSublime Seafood

The shores around these islands and its various waterways teem with life. We are spoiled with the amount of delicious seafood that we can enjoy at its very freshest. A camping holiday on practically any section of the UK coastline or on inland waters can allow us to sample seafood delights, some of which we may not be familiar with. In Scotland, enjoy oysters on the banks of Loch Long or sustainably caught langoustine on the west coast, lobster and the best fish and chips in the East Neuk of Fife, or 'smokies' in Arbroath. In England, enjoy crabs on the Scilly Isles, abundant and varied seafood of the south coast and the Isle of Wight. Wales can offer some more unspoiled and pristine beaches. You can find mussels and cast a line from the shore of Camarthenshire or head offshore for a fishing expedition and enjoy line-caught sea trout and other delicious treats.

Pillars of HerculesVictorious Veg, Fantastic Fruits

Wonderful vegetables can be grown and enjoyed right across the UK. One of the ways to make the most of a camping holiday could be to extend the season for your favourites by heading north or south. Head to the far south for the earliest of early new potatoes, or north to grasp the last of a favourite. The proliferation of small-scale and organic growers means that it is easier than ever to enjoy fresh, organic vegetables close to where they have been grown. Camping can allow you to gain access to some of the very best farm to fork enterprises in the UK. Fife is a great region to visit for local food. Be sure to visit the Pillars of Hercules, an organic farm and cafe, which was recently voted the best organic farm shop in the UK in the Soil Association's BOOM awards. Mill Farm Organic in Hampshire was the runner up. The Edinburgh Larder at Whitmuir Farm was named as the best organic cafe or restaurant. Pillars of Hercules was also shortlisted for this award, as were the Yeo Valley Venue, Blagdon, Bristol and Riverford Organic Farm in Devon.

Of course, the above examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amazing local produce in the UK. Wherever you decide to stay on your camping holidays this year, be sure to explore some of the delights of the local food scene.