Yorkshire has undeniable natural beauty. The county’s scenic coastline rubs shoulders with bustling cities, wild moors, sleepy towns and expansive farmland – and its rich history and culture is a major draw for those eager to learn about its heritage. Its diversity makes it the perfect destination to escape to, whether you want adventure, relaxation or to simply get away from it all and restore a little balance.
To add to its list of pros, Yorkshire is a powerhouse for food and drink entrepreneurs, with a host of local artisan food producers taking the northern culinary scene by storm. If you consider yourself a foodie, you’re in for a treat, as we uncover our favourite, Reglar Collection tried and tested local Yorkshire food and drink producers, guaranteed to leave a lasting impression long after you’ve visited…
The Little Red Berry Company
If gin is your thing, this multi-award-winning North Yorkshire based company serves up a variety of delicious tipples you’ll love. Established in 2011, The Little Red Berry Company puts a modern twist on a traditional product with a range of flavoured gins and alcoholic liqueurs, perfect for a cocktail or two. Each product is handmade and hand-bottled using fresh fruit sourced from local farmers, with a wider goal to bring local handmade products to the British food and drink industry. And with coveted accolades from Deliciously Yorkshire and Great Taste – we’d say they’ve done just that!
Bottoms up, its 5pm somewhere, right?
Wensleydale Creamery
Want something delicious to accompany your flavoured gin with? Wallace and Gromit’s favourite creamy, crumbly cheese is produced in the Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes, Wensleydale, situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and its totally worth the mouth-watering visit. Producing artisan cheeses since 1897, a team of devoted master cheese-makers handcraft tasty varieties from traditional Yorkshire Wensleydale, to Wensleydale Blue, Wensleydale & Cranberry and more. Whether its oak smoked, blended flavours or that traditional gold crumb you’re seeking, this famous creamery has it all.
Courtyard Dairy
Another in our line up of the best cheese shops in the UK is Courtyard Dairy. Since it’s opening in 2012, this award-winning cheese shop has a whole host of accolades, including 2013 World Cheese Awards Cheesemonger of the Year, BBC Radio 4 Best Food Retailer Finalist, and The Times UK’s Top 15 Cheese Shops. The Courtyard Dairy stocks and supplies a handpicked range of unusual farmhouse cheeses sourced directly from individual farms, to ensure the desired depth of flavour is met – most of which is made using unpasteurised milk from a single herd of animals, so you can guarantee top quality.
The Courtyard Dairy has a cosy café (with a cheese maturing room) where you can tuck into a wide variety of tasty cheese-inspired dishes, from grilled raclette to tasty toasties and bubbling fondue – now that’s seriously Gouda (cue the laughs….). Plus, there’s also a small informative museum that’s great fun for kids, which tells the story of farmhouse cheese and its rich history. Virtual cheese tastings, hearty recipes and cheese-making courses are also available for those that want to don an apron and give it a whirl for themselves!
Bracken Hill Fine Foods
You’ll need some quality chutney to compliment all that cheese and gin, luckily for you Bracken Hill Fine Foods is on hand to deliver the goods. This family business based in Elverton launched in 2004 and has been crafting award-winning jams, chutneys, and preserves grown at the family’s century-old orchard, ever since. They buy soft fruits from three local farmers and the chillies are grown locally too – guaranteeing that only the freshest produce is piled onto your cheese and crackers! With regular attendance at farmers markets, agricultural shows and fairs across Yorkshire, the family can even source specific products for those seeking something a little more tailor-made. Now that’s sweet-and-savoury service at it’s finest.
Fodders
If you’re looking for a farm shop and café with fantastic local produce, Fodders is your best bet. Not only are the shelves brimming with food and drink from over 430 farmers and producers (with 85% local to Yorkshire), but it’s the only café in the UK where all of the profits go to a farming charity – the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Its welcoming Harrogate café is a hot spot for breakfast, lunch, and indulgent afternoon cream teas (with what’s on your plate often picked that very morning) – or why not grab something tasty at the shiny takeaway airstream out front to enjoy while on a brisk walk across scenic Crimple Valley? A fantastic afternoon lunch spot for the whole family.
Keelham Farm Shop
Voted the best farm shop and deli in the north of England, Keelham Farm Shop is based just outside Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales. Supporting over 250 local farmers and producers, you’ll find everything on your shopping list and more here, with fresh ingredients delivered locally from Hesper Farm, Otterback Distillery, and Lottie Shaw’s Bakery. Visitors are spoilt for choice by the shops large menu – both to purchase and eat in – from the very best seasonal fruit and vegetables, to store cupboard stables, an award-winning butchers, alehouse, and the most delicious pastries, pizzas and pies to devour – plus beautiful bespoke flowers, plants and gift hampers. It’s one of our favourite foodie spots for its diversity.
Better still, Keelham Farm Shop is just a 5-minute drive to the stunning 3000-acre Broughton Hall Estate – where you’ll also find some of our exclusive Reglar Collection properties, too.
Roots York
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or fancy something, well a little fancier, Roots York is the place. Owned by celebrity chef Tommy Banks, this restaurant is the first in York to be awarded a coveted Michelin Star, and once you sample the innovative and unique tasting menu – it’s easy to see why. Located in the heart of historic York, close to the pretty river and museum gardens, this grand building has a fine story to tell, championing a farm-to-fork ethos that elegantly showcases how rural produce can be crafted into a fine-dining menu. It’s sister restaurant, The Black Swan in Oldstead, is also proud to hold a Michelin Star.
Partisan
This independent restaurant, café and arts space makes for a vibrant all-day dining spot in Micklegate, York. With a passion for independent artisan produce, farmers markets, and fresh sourdough bread, owner Florencia Clifford spent 10 years practising as a ‘Tenzo’ – a Zen Cook – in retreats and farmhouses across the country, which is showcased within Partisan’s hearty menu. With delicious breakfasts, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea available every day (with a few evening openings during the week too), this local gem is ideal for a catch up with friends over a coffee.
RHS Harlow Carr
Garden enthusiasts will be in their element when they visit the awe-inspiring landscapes at RHS Harlow Carr. A relaxing day out for the whole family, visitors can admire colourful natural spaces across a wide variety of gardens, featuring everything from prairie-style plantings to lush woodland and wildflower meadows.
The Main Borders is one of the original features of Harlow Carr, with a wealth of vibrant plant combinations that could pass for an oil panting – particularly during summer and autumn. Feel as though you’ve been transported to the Caribbean at the Sub-Tropicana Garden, bursting with eye-popping flowers, bold foliage and a heated glasshouse; or step inside the Alpine House, one of the first large-scale projects at Harlow Carr, housing over 2,000 plants native to mountainous regions around the world. The Woodland is a fun-loving garden for little ones who love to play, complete with a Logness Monster slide and a quirky Treehouse within its tranquil grounds.
Feeling peckish? Head to the famous Bettys tearoom for post-wander coffee and cake.
Three Little Pigs
Hand-made from rare breed Yorkshire pigs that roam freely on a generations-old family farm – it doesn’t get more local than this. If you’re a meat lover, this is where you should source your chorizo and salami. Three Little Pigs finely trims and minces their pork, giving it a smoother high-quality texture (free from chewy bits) and has a variety of products available in small batches for ready-to-eat snacking and cooking. Grab some crusty bread and you’re good to go.
Thomas The Baker
This family business has quickly become the talk of the town thanks to their famous festive treat – the “heavenly sweet” mince pie – which received the first ever 3-star Great Taste Award. The best part? You don’t have to wait until Christmas to indulge in this flaky fruity bake, since they’re available all year round! Seasonal snacks aside, Thomas The Baker has a host of pies, pastries, buns and bakes sure to satisfy those tea-time cravings – a long-standing favourite being the traditional Chelsea Bun, brushed with butter, cinnamon and fondant icing.
Brymor Ice Cream
Another one for the sweet tooth’s among us.
Let’s face it, you can’t visit Yorkshire without ordering a good ol’ fashioned 99 cone, and if you want a taste of tradition, Brymor’s Ice Cream Parlour is where to head. This family run business in Wensleydale has been creating ice cream for over 34 years, using high butter content milk produced on their very own farm. The Parlour and Café is a must-visit not only for its indulgent variety of ice creams (there’s over 25 flavours to choose from), but the medley of things to see and do in the surrounding area, too. There’s even a play area for the kids.
Don’t have time to add it to your Yorkshire holiday itinerary? Don’t worry, you can experience Brymor ice cream a little closer to home thanks to their list of stockists – although it won’t taste the same unless you’re wandering the Yorkshire Dales, in our humble opinion…
Yorkshire Heart Vineyard and Brewery
Nestled in an idyllic village between Harrogate and York, this family-run vineyard and brewery serves up Yorkshire’s most loved drinks, from grape-to-grass fine wines to full-flavoured ales. What started as a hobby with 35 vines has quickly developed into no less than 22,000 – each of which are lovingly nurtured by the family. It’s thirsty work, but luckily they (and you) can settle down with a glass or two in the on-site winery. If you’re more of a beer lover, discover the Yorkshire Heart micro-brewery, which has been producing a wide range of craft ales, pilsners and stouts since 2011 – all of which can be found in bars and restaurants across the region.
We make that beer o’clock.