Gift ideas – Page 2 – The Extra Mile

Posted on 25/10/202405/11/2024 by The Extra Mile

PYO PUMPKINS: 10 OF THE BEST PICK-YOUR-OWN PUMPKIN PATCHES 2024

As autumn arrives, the leaves begin to change, and the night of the spirits and ghouls approaches, there’s no better – or more Instagrammable – way to embrace the season than by visiting a pumpkin patch. From selecting the perfect pumpkin to enjoying crisp autumnal air and enjoying a steaming spiced latte, pumpkin patches offer a delightful experience for families and friends alike.

Here, we’ve collected some of our UK favourites from the newly published Farm Shop Guide, so you can explore some of the best pumpkin patches, right on the farm. And while you’re there, you can fill your basket with a whole selection of harvest-time produce. So grab your wellies and cosy jumper and get ready for a day in the field!

As always, please remember to check websites/socials for booking details and availability before travelling.

1. Maxey’s Farm Shop, Nottinghamshire

Maxey’s P…P…Pick Up A Pumpkin event is one of Nottinghamshire’s best loved pumpkin picking experiences. Visitors can roam through rows of vibrant pumpkins, selecting the perfect ones for carving or cooking. The picturesque setting is ideal for family outings, with ample photo opportunities among the colourful gourds.

Furry friends will have to stay home for this one – they’re not allowed on the farm.

2. Cammas Hall Farm, Hertfordshire

A positive extravaganza of all things pumpkin. This Halloween season, Cammas Hall Farm offers an exciting array of activities, including spooky tunnels, interactive Halloween characters, and the show-stopping giant erupting Pumpcano! Visitors can enjoy seasonal snacks in the patch while exploring a stunning selection of 50 varieties of pumpkins and squash.

On select days, the farm will also feature Tractor Trailer Rides, adding to the festive experience. For those seeking a thrill, Cammas Resurrected invites everyone to brave the patch after dark, where they can navigate the eerie tunnels filled with surprises. Parents should note that the Terror Tunnel will include scare actors at night, making it suitable for guests aged 12 and up. It’s a spooktacular night not to be missed!

3. Manor Farm Catthorpe, Leicestershire

The pumpkin patch is welcoming visitors every day from 10 am to 4 pm until October 31st! With free entry — guests only pay for their pumpkins — there’s no need to book in advance. Families can enjoy a day out with minimal mud, thanks to the hard-standing paths, and have the chance to meet friendly animals and capture memorable photos.

On Saturday 26th October, visitors are invited to showcase their creativity by entering the colouring competition! Completed sheets should be submitted by 2 pm for a chance to win exciting prizes. Sheets are available in the shop. Additionally, a fancy dress competition will take place, so come dressed in your scariest or cutest outfits.

4. Over Farm, Gloucestershire

If you prefer your pumpkins after dark, Over Farm is the place for you. As the sun sets and the stars emerge, the pumpkin patch transforms into a spooktacular adventure, perfect for daring pumpkin hunters of all ages. Pull on your wellies and venture into the patch under the moonlight to capture fabulous snaps among the pumpkincredible displays, or hop a ride on the tractor trailer for a hauntingly hilarious journey around the farm.

After exploring the patch, grab a drink at the bar, toast some marshmallows, and prepare for some sensational fire dancing that will set the mood alight, just in time for a live music set in the roundhouse. With a variety of delicious dishes from carefully selected independent food traders, there’s something for everyone.

In response to last year’s muddy spots, the farm has worked hard to create improved paths in the car park and leading to the pumpkin patch to keep things as dry as possible. However, wellies are aways advised.

5. Kenyon Hall Farm, Cheshire (SOLD OUT – CHECK FOR LAST MINUTE TICKETS)

Discover the ultimate pumpkin picking experience! This autumn, ticket holders can look forward to a fantastic time at the expansive pumpkin patch, featuring thousands of pumpkins grown this year. Whether seasoned pumpkin pickers or first-timers, visitors will find something for everyone to enjoy. There are photo opportunities galore among the unique displays of varied pumpkins and squashes (and family photo shoots available) to create lasting memories.

Tickets are priced at just £2.95 for both adults and children, while infants under 18 months can enter for free. It’s important to note that tickets do not include a pumpkin, allowing guests the freedom to choose their favourites directly from the patch.

6. Drewton’s, Yorkshire

A pumpkin-picking adventure. Spend a day outdoors foraging for the perfect pumpkin in a four-acre field filled with home-grown pumpkins in various sizes and colours. Visitors can choose their ideal pumpkin and then unleash their creativity in the designated pumpkin carving area. The Pumpkin Shack will be serving delicious refreshments and snacks, including the farm’s famous pumpkin soup. For those wanting a sit-down meal, the restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea, but reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment. In addition to exploring the pumpkin patch, there’s a foraging field where guests can wander and discover hidden treasures. For those who enjoy walking, the estate offers lovely trails through rolling Yorkshire hills, providing a perfect backdrop for wildlife spotting and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Guests are also welcome to bring dogs (on leads and with poo bags handy), making it a fun outing for the whole family. With plenty of great photo opportunities, including backdrops and cut-out boards, you can capture memorable moments throughout the day.

7. Farrington’s, Somerset

Join the fun at Farrington’s annual Pumpkin Picking Festival! Wellies at the ready, grab a wheelbarrow and immerse yourself in a true pumpkin picking experience, with all pumpkins grown right on the farm. From classic orange ‘Cinderella’ pumpkins to unique white ‘ghost’ pumpkins and knobbly ‘knucklehead’ pumpkins, there’s something for everyone. In addition to the pumpkin patch, Farrington’s offers plenty of other activities to enjoy during the visit. Whinny the Witch of Farrington Gurney will be in the Witches Wood, where guests can toast marshmallows in her cauldron for just £2 per stick—just watch out for any spells she might cast! The big carving marquee will also be open, allowing guests to carve their pumpkins into spooky faces while leaving the mess behind.

Make sure you buy your ticket in advance.

8. Forage Farm Shop, Glamorgan

The highly anticipated Forage pumpkin picking experience is back and ready for everyone to enjoy this autumn! With over 25 types of pumpkins planted—including green, orange, white, blue, and even warty varieties—there’s something for everyone. Visitors can expect to find unique pumpkins such as Polar Bear, Wicked, Crown Prince, Lemonade, Baby Boo, Specter, Big Max, and Cauldron, among others.

Families can take aim and splat the villain with the exciting pumpkin catapult, or unleash their children’s imaginations with a variety of fun games, pony rides and face painting. The tractor rides are not to be missed, as guests will hunt for the witches’ belongings along the way. Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to capture the magic of the day, with perfect picture backdrops scattered throughout the farm. From the enchanting pumpkin carriage to the giant spinning pumpkin, there are countless spots for memorable snapshots.

For thrill-seekers and spooky enthusiasts, the after-dark pumpkin picking experience offers an eerie yet exciting twist to the festivities.

9. Algy’s, Norfolk

he beloved Pumpkin Patch will welcome visitors from October 1st to October 31st, 2024, making it the perfect destination for those looking to pick their ideal pumpkin.

No Booking Required—Just Show Up! Guests don’t need to book in advance; they can simply come along and explore the patch, which features a fantastic selection of pumpkins ranging from weeny to extra large. Whether you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin for carving, decorating, or cooking, there’s something for everyone.

This year, the Pumpkin Patch will also offer a variety of delicious food options to make the experience even more special. Attendees can indulge in freshly made pizza, pulled pork, hog roast, hot dogs, and bacon rolls — ideal for refuelling after a fun day of pumpkin picking. It’s dog friendly too: well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome to join in the festivities.

10. Westerton Farmers, Kincardineshire

As Halloween approaches, families are invited to get outdoors and hand-pick the perfect pumpkin at Westerton Farm. This beloved autumn event is back for its sixth year, running daily from October 11th to October 31st. In addition to selecting their ideal pumpkins, families can take on the bale maze and conquer the impressive bale mountain, or run off some steam with the usual range of inflatables and activities inside the barn, no matter what the weather. Join in the Autumnal Festivities.

Pst. It looks like you like your veggies fresh from the field. So do we! Check out our Farm Shop Guide for a run-down of some of the UK’s finest independent, nature-friendly growers and farmers. Click below to buy a copy (it makes a great Christmas gift).

Posted on 08/12/202311/12/2023 by The Extra Mile

TOP GIFTS FOR MOTORISTS

image of The Motorway Card Game (c) Bubblegum Stuff

1. A 'coffee by post' gift subscription

Need to buy a gift for a driver or a present for a motorist? Our top tips will provide all the inspiration you need.

Now, our first suggestion isn’t the most obvious gift for a motorist but it will surely become their instant favourite. Many local roasters (such as Unorthodox Roasters in Kinross, if you’re local to them) provide brilliant ‘coffee grounds by post’ packages. Buy a three, six or 12-month subscription to keep your favourite driver alert when on the road. Join The Extra Mile’s mailing list between 11th and 18th December 2023, to be in with a chance to win a 12-month subscription from Unorthodox Roasters, worth £126.

Explore coffee subscriptions here.

2. Make them a modern-day mix-tape

This is my personal favourite: take advantage of tech to make the driver in your life a modern-day mix-tape. It’s the perfect present for a motorist as they can simply pop it into their USB port to hear your lovingly compiled tunes while driving to see you. Alternatively, make one for them to play on the way home to hasten their journey back to you.

Explore and customise your options on Etsy.

3. Buy The Extra Mile near-motorway café guide

C’mon, of course we were going to recommend our best-selling, ‘most gifted’, indie café-packed guidebook in this list! To be honest, I’m surprised we managed to wait until No. 3. The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services truly is the perfect gift for drivers and motorists who prefer independent cafés and like to find fresh local food when on the move. For those who (inexplicably) love motorway services and know them too well, read on: you’re going to love No. 5.

Support local! Buy The Extra Mile from our online shop.

4. An audiobook subscription

If you haven’t heard of audiobook provider, Audible, we honestly don’t know which soundproof rock you’ve been living under these last years (other audiobook subscription services are available). But what a great gift for a motorist. It’s an easy way to help them while away those long, tedious road-trip hours by listening to their favourite authors, plus if you’ve missed the last post, this can all be sent digitally. Check out the differences between service providers below. There’s even a free audiobook service called Librivox whose strap-line is: acoustical liberation of books in the public domain. Sounds brilliant: here’s to acoustical liberation!

Get your geek on and compare services at TechRadar.

5. The Motorway Services Game

Now, though we might avoid motorway services like the plague (apart from the fantastic, local food focused ones like Gloucester and Tebay, of course), we do love this game. Dubbed ‘The “Pit Stop or S*** Stop” Card Stealing Game’, it really is a great gift for motorists who find themselves on the road a lot. Buy them The Extra Mile first, then pop this one in their stocking or glovebox as a little something extra, too.

Buy The Motorway Services Game.

6. FM Transmitters (for drivers with older cars)

I’m not sure I’ve ever driven a car younger than myself, so ‘in-car tech’ is never a strong point when it comes to my vehicles. If you need a present for a driver with an older car, consider one of these handy little FM transmitter gadgets. Plugged into the lighter socket, it will allow you to broadcast your phone’s audio out via the radio. No idea how: some higher magic is at work. The perfect gift for drivers who are tired of flipping through radio stations to stay interested: choose your own noise.

7. The AA's emergency car kit

This is a genuinely useful gift for drivers who mightn’t be as prepared as they could be. Find everything inside from a folding snow shovel and torch to a hi-vis vest, booster cables and a rain poncho. The perfect present for a new driver, or those driving in remote areas or bad weather (image is indicative, check your chosen version for specific contents).

Dip inside the AA’s emergency car kit: be ready for anything.

8. Travel activity packs for drivers with children

Journeys can seem oh-so-much longer for drivers when there are kids in the back to entertain, too. Browse around or create your own in-car travel activity pack, with anything from stickers and colouring to card games, quiz books and more. Some pre-made examples exist from organisations like Friends of the Earth and the excellently named ‘Keep’em Quiet’ company. Browse their age-banded activity packs which make a great gift for drivers heading off on car holidays ‘en famille’.

Explore the range by Keep’em Quiet.

9. A cup-holder-ready reusable coffee cup

There are many fantastic reusable coffee cups on the market but we love this one (as does The Independent, which has awarded Circular Cup Co. its Best Buy for three years on the trot). Drivers need coffee, and perking up, and gifts. So, for the motorist in your life, this is an excellent choice.

Circular Cup Co. A great gift choice for the driver in your life.

Gifts for motorists: any great ones we've missed?

Here at The Extra Mile, we always love to hear from you, whether it’s with ideas for new farm shops and cafés to go in our guides, or suggestions to add to our ‘listicles’ like this. Do email me if you have any ideas to brighten, enrich or further caffeinate our lives here at Printslinger Publishing HQ. Bye for now; happy holidays and we hope that this list of great gift ideas for drivers and motorists has struck a few road-trip related chords.

Email Kerry today.

Buy The Extra Mile.

Coffee competition: runs 11-18 Dec 2023

Visit this post for info on our Christmas 2023 coffee competition. Simply sign up to our mailing list between 11 Dec and 18 Dec 2023 to be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize from Scotland’s inimitable Unorthodox Roasters, of Kinross.

Visit Unorthodox Roasters here.

Posted on 29/11/202305/12/2023 by The Extra Mile

WIN COFFEE GROUNDS FOR A YEAR

Unorthodox Roasters, Kinross, image of barrista

Win coffee: delivered to your door for a year!

Would you like to wake up and smell the coffee not once, not twice but monthly for a whole year? Join Printslinger’s mailing list from 11th – 18th December 2023 for your chance to win one pouch of coffee grounds per month for a whole year (Jan-Dec 2024) from Scotland’s inimitable Unorthodox Roasters. This is an excellent treat-to-self or we can provide a lovely virtual voucher so you can give this as a gift this Christmas. How to win friends and caffeinate people…

To enter, join our coffee-fuelled newsletter community here. Find out more about Unorthodox Roasters of Kinross (and this offer’s Ts and Cs), below.

Subscribe to enter

Unorthodox Roasters in The Extra Mile

Unorthodox Roasters joined The Extra Mile for our new 2023 edition. One of their founders and chief roasters, Chris, is so happy with being in our guidebook that he’s made an over-the-top-generous offer to supply one of you with free coffee for a year. This is excellent news and we’re going to pretend that we don’t work here so that we can enter ourselves: sssh, don’t tell him.

This is what our 2023 café guide ,The Extra Mile (an online ‘Bestseller’ and ‘Most Gifted’ in its category) has to say about Unorthodox Roasters.

Everything about Unorthodox Roasters is just that: unorthodox. Their beans are roasted and named with humour; each chat with the friendly baristas spirals off in an entertaining direction; and their flavours are punchy and bold.

Chris and Neil started roasting beans at home while saving up to launch their first place. Their Kinross roastery and café is fun, with bronze and bare bulbs against blue and white walls. You’ll be greeted by a V60 brew bar and manual espresso machine: every stage of the process has gravitas here (though it’s all served without pretension and with a smile). Grab and go or settle in for brunch or some home-baking with your expertly crafted drink.

Their best-selling beans are the single origin Wee Stoater, with notes of chocolate, hazelnut and caramel. Other treats include beetroot hot choc; experimental lattes (‘Chai Harder’), and an ethical tea range. Browse the coffee-lovers’ kits and take some pouches of beans to enjoy at home.

If you like who we feature and how we phrase things, why not check the guide out for yourself? It makes a great gift for anyone who drives a lot and likes to eat well. You can buy it at many of the venues featured in the book (such as Unorthodox Roasters if you’re passing) or you can order direct from us here. Get in quick if it’s meant as a gift for 2024.

Like Unorthodox Roasters on Facebook here.
Follow Unorthodox Roasters on Instagram.
Buy their Single Origin coffee for delivery.

Draw Terms and Conditions

One entry per person.
One name will be chosen at random from those who sign up to join our Mailing List between 11th and 18th December 2023 to win this prize.
First name, last name and a correct email address must be included in order to be entered into the draw.
The winner will be contacted via email on 19th Dec. Two attempts at contact will be made within 14 days. If no response with the further information required is received by the original winner within 14 days of the second attempt, we reserve the right to redraw and to contact another person, drawn at random, to receive this coffee subscription. The original winner will forfeit their right to this prize and no alternative prize will be available or offered.
The winner will allow for the prize, or the first instalment thereof, to be delivered by end January 2024.
The winner must provide Printslinger Ltd. with their full name and postal address, to be passed on to Unorthodox Roasters, for them to correctly deliver the coffee.
Unorthodox Roasters will supply the coffee(s) of their choice which will depend on availability and other factors.
Unorthodox Roasters reserve the right to deliver the total weight of coffee in larger packages (i.e. 500g+) if agreed with the winner, to reduce packaging.
This competition is only open to mainland UK-based entrants.
The prize, of 12 x 250g coffee pouches (or the equivalent weight in different weight pouches), includes free delivery to one mainland UK address. A postal surcharge may apply to some Highlands, Islands and other non-standard UK addresses.
The winner’s first name, last name and town/ city of residence, for example Kerry O’Neill from Bristol, may be used across our online and offline channels to publicise the competition once finished.
Further opportunities for the winner to participate in Social Media promotion following their win may be offered; participation is totally optional.
This competition is being run by Printslinger Ltd., with a prize provided by Unorthodox Roasters.
With any questions, please contact The Extra Mile via email.
Printslinger Ltd accepts no liability for any damage, loss, injury, or disappointment suffered by any entrants as a result of participating in the competition or being selected for a prize.
You agree that any personal information that you provide when entering the competition will be used by Printslinger Ltd for the purposes of administering the competition and for the other purposes as specified in our Privacy Policy.
Printslinger Ltd reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to cancel the competition or amend these terms and conditions.

Buy The Extra Mile guide today

Visit The Extra Mile Guide’s online shop to buy your own edition of the guide today (or buy a few to give away – it makes a great gift for your foodie friends).

Posted on 06/06/202307/06/2023 by The Extra Mile

WHERE TO EAT NEAR ME IN SCOTLAND

You’re enjoying a road-trip around glorious Scotland when the hunger kicks in. You ask yourself, “Where to eat near me?”, “Is there a great farm shop near me?” Perhaps you want a cosy local café for some tasty specialities, or a dog-friendly café near you. The Extra Mile guide is full of fab places to stop for food whether you’re eating in, taking-out or compiling the picnic to end all picnics from fresh local produce.

With The Extra Mile guide (buy yours here), you can find dog-friendly cafés, farm shops with EV chargers, and family-friendly places to stop near you. Take a look at some Scottish highlights, below, from our bestselling guidebook. We’ve teamed up with the award-winning Loch Leven’s Larder, to offer a fantastic picnic hamper for two to one lucky winner, in celebration of National Picnic Week 2023 (see below).

No#1: Loch Leven's Larder in Kinross

Pictured above, Loch Leven’s Larder is very near to Junction 8 of the M90. It’s an award-winning farm shop, café, food hall, bakery, deli, gift shop and more, with high-quality local food, whatever-the-weather walks, quirky corners, a wonderful canopy café and more.

To help The Extra Mile celebrate National Picnic Week in 2023 (June 17- June 25), they are offering our readers and followers the chance to win a Scottish Picnic Hamper in our June competition – visit The Extra Mile on Facebook for more details and to enter (runs until end June).

#2 Charleton Fruit Farm and Farm Shop in Montrose

If you’re looking for some fruity PYO fields or a family-run farm shop near you in Montrose, enter: Charleton Fruit Farm. The happy folk in The Stables serve tasty meals all day long, from soups and salads to ever-popular panini and an arsenal of cakes. There’s even the occasional BBQ and the proper burgers alone are worth the detour.

The Pod in the Park offers hot dogs, ice-cream and teas and coffees to go, with PYO pumpkins, raspberries, apples and pears in season. The farm shop stocks home-sewn crops and local gifts and delicacies galore. The fortress and treasure hunts create excellent journey breaks for those travelling with children. A great farm shop in Montrose.

#3 Cairn Lodge Services and Farm Shop in Douglas

Picnic seekers will love Cairn Lodge, a first-rate farm shop and kitchen that champions exceptional Scottish food, drink, craft and design. Its as-good-as-homemade cakes, savouries and colourful seasonal salads come from over 50 local producers. If you’re travelling through Douglas, Cairn Lodge has a fab café near you that isn’t to be missed.

There’s no mass defrosting here. There are snacks and artisanal gifts galore, while the coffee bar has charging points to help humans and devices top up together. This dressed-to-impress destination is a sister company to the famed family-run Gloucester and Tebay services and farm shops. A top-notch local-food focused café in Douglas.

#4 The Bothy Bistro in Burghead

If exploring the coast between Inverness and Aberdeen, there are some great foodie stops and cafés near you like The Bothy Bistro (and its sister eaterie, Bootleggers on the Hopeman coast). ‘It’s fresh and exciting because it’s not posh’ said Masterchef judge William Sitwell, naming this bistro among his top 15 favourite UK restaurants.

Owner Ruth likes to know where things are caught or picked, and loves promoting her local flavours. Driftwood décor suits this coastal address, which is a failsafe stop-off if seeking artisan coffee and still-warm goodies from the in-house bakery to take on your coastal cruise or picnic. A first-rate independent café near the coast in Burghead.

#5 Gloagburn Farm Shop in Perth

Gloagburn Farm Shop. What a find! If you’re adventuring around the Perth area seeking picnic goods, this is just four minutes from the A9. Want a great farm shop near you? This is it. Set in the gently rolling hills of Perthshire, its view is maximised for those inside by the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. Food with a view at its best.

The farm shop has its own beef, eggs and home-baking, plus artisan products such as pottery, art prints and homewares. Everything stocked here must pass the family’s ‘tried and tasted’ test before reaching the shelves, so it’s a great place to stock up on supplies for your picnic or holiday destination.

#6 Unorthodox Roasters and Café in Kinross

If you seek coffee grounds for your picnic or self-catering holiday cafetière or moka pot, visit this independent coffee roaster which is near you if you’re passing Kinross. Unorthodox Roasters have some great names for their locally roasted coffee beans: Mindblown is our favourite brew by a country mile.

There are some great sightseeing spots around, from Lochleven Castle and Lochleven Nature Reserve to the Lomond Hills Regional Hills. Get your coffee and cake to go for an impromptu picnic and take a few pouches of their moreish coffee beans to enjoy once home. A memorable café near the M90 and A81.

#7 Craigie's Farm Shop and Café in South Queensferry

Looking for somewhere to eat near you in South Queensferry? Look no further than Craigie’s Farm Shop and Café. Found near the M90, Craigie’s is perfect for those seeking a sit-down meal, or who want to browse the impressive local foods on offer in the café and farm shop.

The shop has a butchery, the Buffalo Farm, and the café crams local ingredients into a menu of salads, sandwiches, specials and home-baked cakes and coffee to have in or take away. Dog-friendly and handy for picnics on Craigie Hill.

#8 Kilnford Farm Shop and Café in Dumfries

If you’re travelling on the A75 and seek a café or farm shop near you, set a quick course for the Kilnford Farm Shop and Café, just one minute from the A75. The farming family puts animal welfare first and rears world-class Galloway beef and Blackface lamb: there are superb BBQ cuts and picnic treats to be found.

In a hurry to get to your picnic? Order a veggie or fruit boxes in advance to collect – though you might want to stay awhile anyway to browse the cheeses, meats and olives at the deli. At their new Kilnford Bothy, try the ‘Steak, Cattle and Roll’ burger (a hit with gourmands and punsters alike). A great farm shop and café in Dumfries.

#9 Drift Café on the coast in North Berwick

A superb ‘container’ café in a spectacular location on the North Berwick coast is Drift, off the A1 near West Barns. You can eat in at the café for food with a view, or buy wraps, rolls, coffees and cakes to go.

Drift works hard with Scotland’s agritourism sector and its small, cooked-from-fresh menu has earned it a Visit Scotland ‘Taste Our Best’ award. Buy to go and picnic on the beach below.

#10 The Mainstreet Trading Company, St Boswells

If you’re looking for a unique café in The Borders or St Boswell’s, The Mainstreet Trading Company really is something else. You can pick up all kinds of things there, from picnic materials and coffee, cake and savouries to eat in or take away, to deli items, books and gifts.

A previous winner of Britain’s Best Small Shop, The Mainstreet Trading Company (books, café, deli and home) should feature in every journey via the Borders. Browse the fabulous bookshop before refuelling on dishes inspired by the boss’s ‘Cookbook of the Moment’, perhaps.

Win a picnic hamper from Loch Leven's Larder

Thank you once again to the multi-faceted Loch Leven’s Larder for providing us with a Scottish goodie-packed hamper for our National Picnic Week (17-25 June 2023) competition this year. Simply pop to our Facebook page to enter, no purchase necessary.

We’ll pull the winner at the end of June and will be in touch to send out your hamper. With such incredible farm shops and scenic spots all across Scotland, we think it should be National Picnic Year…every year!

Buy our bestselling food guidebook today

The Extra Mile is the perfect gift for people who like to eat well when on the move. It’s packed with farm shops, independent cafés, tearooms, pubs, delis and ice-cream parlours. Maps help you find cafés and restaurants near you, and filters help you find dog-friendly places to eat, family-friendly restaurants, EV chargers and more.

Head to our Shop to buy your copy for just £14.99 (+ postage). Buying direct helps support another small independent company: us! Thanks for reading and good luck in the June 2023 National Picnic Week competition: visit us on Facebook for more. If you’re a venue keen to feature in our next book, email us today.

Posted on 17/11/202215/11/2022 by The Extra Mile

GIFT IDEAS: BEST REUSABLE COFFEE CUPS

Britain has developed a vibrant coffee culture over the last decade or so, and the morning (afternoon and evening) brew has become an important daily ritual for many of us. In the UK, we drink around 98 million cups a day, as part of an industry worth more than £9 billion.

On the flip side, Britain gets through 2.5 billion disposable and hard-to-recycle coffee cups each year, a number set to increase by a third by 2030. Fortunately, the amount of coffee cup recycling facilities in the UK is growing along with an awareness of the problem.

Sidestep the hassle of what to do with your used single-use coffee cup by carrying one of these handsome reusables in your car instead – bagging the discount that frequently comes with a BYO cup while you’re at it. The Kitchen at Croxley for example – an Extra Mile venue – offers a 20p discount if you bring your own cup (their takeaway cups are compostable, too).

Circular&Co Reusable coffee cup, £14.95

A cup, made from old single-use coffee cups. If there’s a more guilt-free way to enjoy your coffee on the road, we’d like to see it. You can open the lid with one hand and drink from any side, yet it’s still leakproof. Designed to last for 10 years, it fits in most car cup holders and is safe to put through the dishwasher.

Stojo collapsible coffee cup, £12.99

This is a compact option if you’re short on space and it can be tucked into most shoulder or handbags. Made of silicone, this little cup concertinas down into a pocket-sized disc when you’ve finished using it, while a lid plug ensures no coffee residue leaks out. A rigid plastic cuff saves your fingers when your coffee is hot.

Klean Kanteen insulated TKWide with café cap, £25.95

This vacuum insulated cup will keep drinks hot for 11 hours (or 38 hours, iced). It claims not to retain or impart flavours which is appealing if you’ve ever tried in vain to rid a flask of lingering milk smells. Works as a water bottle, coffee mug, sport bottle and insulated cup. Designed with an impact base-cap to protect it from bumps, it’s chip resistant and the lid can be disassembled for easy cleaning.

Smidge travel cup, £15.40

Double-walled stainless steel stops heat escaping anywhere fast, while a screw-top lid with two silicone seals claims to be 100% leak-proof. It comes with barista-standard internal measuring guides, fits under most coffee machines and is available in a range of cheerful colours (with matching water bottles). The cup is only suitable for hand-washing at the moment, but is easy to disassemble and clean.

Coffee BugBear, £18

If the pandemic has left you more germ-aware than ever, try BugBear’s reusable cup with patented antimicrobial protection shielding its stainless steel walls. Double-skinned to keep in the heat, it has a screw-on cap to prevent slips slopping out.

SoleCup, £16

An aesthetically appealing cup made in the UK from tempered glass with a cork band for easy grip. With the option of an infuser accessory, it works as well for smoothies and tea as it does for coffee. For the eco-minded, the cup is 100% recyclable and arrives in plastic-free packaging.

Bru coffee cup, £17.99

Made to last from powder-coated stainless steel, with matching bottles available if you’re a co-ord kinda person, this is a stylish cup for on-the-go. It’s designed to fit under most coffee machines (though perhaps not in car cup holders) and is large enough to hold a standard, 340ml latte. Dishwasher safe and can be recycled with scrap metals at the end of its useful life.

Chilly’s Series 2 coffee cup, £36

Shaped like a drinks can and available in a wide range of patterns and colours, this stainless steel coffee pod is a stylish addition to your road trip. Get yours engraved with your name if you’re not up for sharing, and put ownership arguments to bed forever. It’s not dishwasher safe, but – tip – use bicarbonate of soda if you ever need a thorough clean.

Corkcicle Travel Cup, £44

Prefer your coffee cup with a handle? The whopping great Corkcicle could be for you. It’s triple insulated, has a snug, clear, see-through lid and has a stay-put grippy silicone base so it doesn’t slide around the dashboard.

Frank Green reusable cup, £28.99

A handsome design that comes in an array of colours (including neon lids), Frank Green is a discerning choice for the travelling coffee drinker. It’s easy to use with one hand (thanks to a push-button lid), is designed to fit in cup holders and is spill resistant. Despite the ceramic lining, its makers claim the base is unbreakable, which means you can polish the stainless steel exterior to your heart’s content with the microfibre polishing cloth supplied with it…if polishing is your thing.

Huskeecup, £14

Made from coffee husks, this cup is a waste-free wonder. Durable and insulated, it’s designed for coffee-to-go, and when it’s no longer at its best, you can exchange it in a participating café through HuskeeSwap (see the app for details) or return it to the company for recycling.

If you’re an Extra Mile café or eating experience that offers a discount for those bringing their own cup, let us know and we’ll promote you below. If reading this, you obviously prefer your hot drinks to be HOT – whether at home or on the go – or you’re buying a gift for someone who really cares about their coffee. Get the most up-to-date edition of The Extra Mile guidebook here, to make the ultimate birthday or Christmas gift combo for the hot drink lovers in your life.

Venues offering an own-cup discount

The Kitchen, Croxley