Heart of England Experiences

EXPERIENCES GourmetXperiences from the Heart of England Selected from Gourmet-experiences.co.uk

The Heart of England stretches broadly across much of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia, from Shropshire and Herefordshire in the west to Lincolnshire in the east, and from the lower edges of Derbyshire in the north to Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire in the south.

WALES

Shropshire 2 4 Herefordshire 5

Birmingham 1 3

EXPERIENCES

ENGLAND

6 Oxfordshire 7

This delightfully diverse region is home to several Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The leafy orchards of the Wye Valley, the rolling hills of Shropshire and The Malverns, and the enchanting woodlands of Cannock Chase – a former Royal forest – are amongst its most picturesque gems.

Travel through the Midlands and you’ll encounter vibrant towns steeped in rich Medieval history – Stratford, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Shrewsbury are fine examples. You’ll also discover characterful villages, ancient churches, meandering rivers and quaint country pubs.

Journey into the heart of the Midlands to explore cosmopolitan Birmingham, home to five of the 10 Michelin Star restaurants in the Midlands and a lively Jewellery Quarter, which boasts a thriving craft brewing scene and several specialist gin bars; it even has a flourishing smallbatch distillery.

Head south and you’ll reach the honey-coloured towns of the Cotswolds, a tranquil haven of village greens, quirky tea rooms and creaky inns. The endlessly Instagrammable Lower Slaughter, with its 19th century water mill, is the jewel in its crown. Nearby, fashionable Daylesford – an award-winning organic farm, restaurant and wellness retreat – serves up gourmet delights from its market garden.

GourmetXperiences has a multitude of Heart of England dining experiences to discover – here, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite venues and menus: 1 SIMPSONS, BIRMINGHAM

Perched in the leafy suburbs of Edgbaston, on the fringes of bustling Birmingham, Michelin Star restaurant Simpsons is widely praised as one of the ultimate dining experiences in the Midlands. Its chef and patron, Andreas Antona, is renowned for his attention to detail and clean flavours.

Together with his Chef Director, Luke Tipping, Antona takes diners on a thrilling gourmet journey through light and modern dishes inspired by classical French cuisine. Take a chilled aperitif in one of the elegant lounges of this beautiful Georgian manor before moving to the sleek and modern restaurant, where you’ll dine beneath a sky-filled ceiling and rustic wooden beams.

2 OLD DOWNTON LODGE, SHROPSHIRE 3 THE CROSS, KENILWORTH, WARWICKSHIRE

Old Downton Lodge is an eclectic mixture of medieval and Georgian architecture, surrounding a herb-filled courtyard that looks out over the Herefordshire hills. It’s also home to a 3AA rosette restaurant, presided over by head chef, Nick Bennett.

Experience Downton’s 6 Course Tasting Menu, where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous collection of dishes, a glass of Gusbourne English sparkling wine and a local Shropshire cheese selection, or extend your stay to an Overnight Tasting Dinner with bed and breakfast for two, where you’ll end your evening in one of Downton’s elegant and comfortable rooms and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the morning. There are even charging points for electric cars, so don’t forget the Tesla! Michelin starred The Cross, in the heart of Warwickshire, is a gourmet pub for all seasons. In the winter, its rustic snug and woodburning stove make it as cosy as can be, while summer diners can take a seat on its pretty garden terrace amidst a maze of fragrant flowers.

Its hearty menu has a classical pub food element, but with a gourmet twist. The ever-popular fish and chips, for instance, could include king prawns and squid, while a traditional roast pork might arrive with salted gooseberry purée instead of the familiar apple sauce.

4 PENSONS, WORCESTERSHIRE Michelin Star newbie Pensons, nestled on the peaceful and picturesque Netherwood Estate near the ancient market town of Tenbury Wells, is an absolute must-try. It’s a restaurant that’s wildly passionate about ingredient-led menus that showcase the best of what the local area has to offer.

Take your seat in the light and lofty dining room and sample freshly foraged fruits, vegetables and herbs from Netherwood’s verdant gardens and orchards, alongside grass-fed and outdoor-reared meat from carefully selected local farmers and butchers.

5 VERZON HOUSE, HEREFORDSHIRE 6 THE NUT TREE INN, OXFORDSHIRE

This exclusive Ledbury country house and farm is owned by the family behind Tyrrells Crisps and more recently the flourishing Willy’s Wellness lifestyle brand. Verzon’s sumptuous menus change with the seasons, but are always a treat for the senses.

Verzon’s biggest draw, however, is its popular cocktail masterclasses, where aspiring mixologists can embark on a fully immersive experience and learn to create fresh, palate-cleansing cocktails using Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar and local, single-estate spirits, blended with farm-sourced botanicals. Cheers! Take a trip to the sleepy Oxfordshire village of Murcott, and you’ll find The Nut Tree Inn – the only Michelin Star pub in the county. Its secluded gardens are home to an abundance of home-grown produce, which is used in the mouth-watering menus this family-run enterprise has become known for.

Sample The Nut Tree’s 8 Course Taster Menu and you’ll be welcomed with a chilled glass of crisp sparkling wine from the vines of Dorset’s Furleigh Estate, followed by a show-stopping menu and the chance to go behind the scenes with an exclusive tour of the kitchen – where the culinary magic happens!

7 THE WHITE HART AT FYFIELD, OXFORDSHIRE

The multi award-winning White Hart at Fyfield, serves up an highly acclaimed menu of fresh, seasonal and locally sourced dishes. Housed in a striking 15th century inn complete with creaking floors and beamed ceilings, foodies praise this Oxfordshire mainstay as a perennial favourite.

Sample their popular Tasting Experience for Two, and you and a friend or loved one will be served a stunning 4 Course Lunch with seasonal produce chosen that very day, as well as delicious local cheeses, a welcome seasonal cocktail made using single estate British spirits and botanicals, and a tour of the kitchen.

To purchase all these and more, visit: Gourmet-experiences.co.uk