Places We Go

Real People Real Travel

  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Arctic
    • Asia
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
      • Northern Territory
      • ACT
      • Tasmania
        • Spirit of Tasmania
        • Tasmania’s Western Wilds
      • South Australia
      • Victoria
      • Western Australia
    • Europe
      • Scotland and the Highlands
    • Latin America
    • North America
    • New Zealand
    • Middle East
    • Oceania
    • Antarctica
  • Travel
    • Travel Styles
      • Camping & Caravanning
      • Driving Adventures
      • Family Travel
      • Long Weekends
      • Touring & Cruising
      • Backpacking
      • Luxury
    • Activities
      • Adventure
      • Food & Drink
      • Outback
      • Historic sites and landmarks
      • Walks & Hikes
      • Events & Festivals
      • Wildlife & Nature
      • Island Hopping
      • Snow & Skiing
      • Photography
    • Planning
      • Travel with Kids
      • Packing
      • Travel Tips
      • Accommodation
      • Booking
      • Gear
      • Tech
      • Transport
      • Health
  • PWG TV
    • Episodes & Video
    • PWG Behind the Scenes
    • Recipes
      • Camping & Caravanning
      • Australian Inspiration
      • Global Tastes
    • Interview series
    • People We Meet
  • The Australian Bucket List
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us

Simple, Homely & Wholesome: Why I Love Classic English Food

Tom Carr | June 3, 2014 | 6:54 pm | Comment

Eton mess, one of the classic English food dishes. Talk to me about yum. I hadn’t been in London for more than a few hours before I found myself at the local Tesco collecting all of the essential requirements for what is, arguably, my favourite English sweet. Which let’s be honest, doesn’t say a lot about my palate. However, in my defence sometimes the simplest things can be the most enjoyable.

Let’s talk all things delicious; Eton mess – smashed meringue, berries and beaten cream all mixed together. Simple – yes. Calorie ridden – absolutely. Unbelievably addictive – affirmative. And if there was ever a time to research ‘pant extenders’ online now would be it, as I have no doubt this food journey across the UK and Trans Siberian is going to present many great eats.

Starting at my mate’s local pub in Wimbledon, the Hand in Hand, where we grab a paddle of English lagers and a platter of sausages. I know, weird right? Once it came to the table however – not so weird. A selection of homemade pork sausages wrapped in bacon and served with hot chips (a weakness of mine), coleslaw and breads. I love the relaxed nature of pubs here. The barmen were chilling with a coffee and chatting away to us, the food was simple and wholesome and the fireplace was roaring. I felt like I had walked into someone’s home.

Classic English food at the Hand in Hand pub
Wholesome grub at the Hand in Hand

In the days that follow I try Butterbeer (think creamy soda with added sugar) at Harry Potter World just outside of London. It was the ultimate cultural experience as you can imagine, and yes, as a 28 year old male I felt like a bit of creep BUT I did love the books and enjoy the films. Plus my mate really wanted to go, so I didn’t want to let her down…Aha, see what I did there?!

The undercover markets in Oxford serve up a delicious Irish Whisky & English beef pie with pea mash and gravy. While back in London, the trendsetters at Jackson + Rye of Soho were experimenting with textures and reinventing traditional ideas – such as burnt vanilla marshmallow with shaved praline and lemon sorbet.

Beef pie and pea mash - a classic English food dish in Oxford
Irish Whisky & English beef pie with pea mash and gravy at Oxford

But finally, all good things must come to an end and my week in London wrapped up on an absolute high note – well, high tea actually. Prior to walking through the doors at Fortnum & Mason all I knew was that Sarah Wilson (whose mantra ‘I Quit Sugar’ I had been following prior to departure) was likely going to disown me as a follower. Even more concerning is that the afternoon tea here is never ending – plates are replenished quicker than the naked eye can detect and calorie counters are left at the door. Coincidentally, overindulging on food is one of my favourite activities, so I had a mild suspicion I was going to get along quite well with this establishment. Premature assumption I know, but hey? It will be like going to grandma’s house, but on steroids.

Classic English food - High tea at Fortnum & Mason
Taking high tea at Fortnum & Mason

Now let’s be frank. Aside from a very small breakfast, I did not eat a single thing prior to my 2pm seating, as I needed all the available stomach space I could get. But of course that somewhat misplaced approach quickly fell to the wayside upon arriving at the food emporium located at ground level within the Fortnum & Mason building.

Please answer me this – why were they trialling a new range of chocolates in store? Free samples are such a killer. Obviously I had to help myself and gracefully participated in the sweet degustation that followed, a somewhat silly move considering what awaited me upstairs. Let’s just say that self-control is not one of my strengths.

That aside, the afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason was unbelievable. Luxury imported teas, scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, crisp white linen, Riedel glass wear and handcrafted china. The experience was well worth the high price tag and if I can make any recommendations, order their personal tea blend of green & elderflower, it was divine.

London – cheers for the sunshine (I know it’s not normally within your nature), the laughs and most importantly – for introducing sugar back into my diet.

What classic English food dishes do you love? 

About Tom Carr

Hailing from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, travel is one of Tom’s greatest passions. As a 'My Kitchen Rules' alumni, Tom loves nothing more than sharing his wanderlust over a dish that’s been inspired by his latest adventures! Tom is driven by ‘food travel’, often choosing destinations on what culinary delight he may find.

You’ve come this far

(you must have liked what you’ve seen?)

Subscribe to receive regular email updates with competitions and news.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Watch Us NEW EPISODE ONLINE NOW

Join our tribe

Subscribe to receive regular email updates with competitions and news.

RECENT AND POPULAR POSTS

Our Armidale Adventure

outback towns

Places We Go, People We Meet – Gary Weir

An Arctic Adventure Diary – Part 2

arctic adventure

An Arctic Adventure Diary – Part 1

scotland by rail

Why you should see Scotland by rail

Quick Links

  • Video
  • Driving Adventures
  • Competitions
  • Travel With Kids
  • About Us
  • Australian Travel
  • Contact Us
  • Food and Drink
  •  
  • Luxury Travel
  •  
  • Caravanning & Camping
  •  
I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
.
 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
 .
Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
.
 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
.
 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
 .
#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
.
How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
.
Your weekend will include: 
.
- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
.
- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
.
- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
. 
- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
.
Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
.
Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
.
 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
.
 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
 .
Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
.
Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
.
A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
.
Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
 . 
Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
.
Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
.
He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
.
When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
.
“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
.
As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
 .
Jen xx

Social

© 2023 · Places We Go. All rights reserved. | Privacy | Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2023 · Places We Go on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in