Lacklustre grub makes us mad, and it's even worse when shoddy cooking ruins a perfectly good hol. Whether you're a fan of the country, coast or city, we have an edible escape that'll leave you relaxed and happy. And full.
The Hole in the Wall, Cambridge
Tasting menus are known for being a bit pricey, but at £45 the one at this 16th-century country pub in the Cambridgeshire countryside is a (relative) steal. Dishes are crafted by Alex Rushmer, the blonde-bearded guy in MasterChef’s 2010 final, and the seven-course menu features anything from doughnuts to curried cauliflower with granola. Continue the country vibe with a stay at a rural farm. farmstay.co.uk; holeinthewallcambridge.com
The Pig on the Beach, Dorset
Studland Bay may be known as a nudist hotspot, but it has other claims to fame. The Pig is one – a little boutique hotel serving uncomplicated, locally sourced garden-to-plate food. The restaurant is a reconstructed Victorian greenhouse and offers stellar views; Dorset whelks with garlic butter come with a backdrop of Old Harry Rocks – three chalk formations on the tip of a headland – and maybe the odd stray nudist. thepighotel.com
OX, Belfast
Slap bang in the middle of a restaurant revolution, OX Belfast is just one place bringing Northern Ireland’s food scene to our attention. Trained under multi-starred French chef Alain Passard, the OX’s chef-owner Stephen Toman twins quality Irish ingredients with culinary talent. The Europa Hotel is a great place to bed down in the centre of the city – it's just a couple of minutes from the bars of the Cathedral Quarter. hastingshotels.com;
