road trip – The Extra Mile

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WIN TICKETS TO THE THREE COUNTIES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival

The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival is the most exciting culinary event to hit Malven in…as long as we can remember. Packed with first-rate local and artisanal food products to sample, award-winning chef demos to watch and fantastic stalls to browse, this event has us clearing our diaries for Sat 29 and Sun 30 July in anticipation.

Win two free one-day tickets to the show (worth £24)

As readers and lovers of The Extra Mile, we know that you love to eat locally. You like sampling freshly-made flavours and talking to producers who really care about where their ingredients come from. At the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, this is exactly what you can expect. To give you a little helping hand on your way to the show – freeing up a few pounds to spend on the excellent foodies wares once you get in – we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away. Simply visit our Facebook or Instagram pages and Like the relevant Three Counties food and Drink Festival post, tagging in a friend, to be in with a chance to win. We’ll announce the winners on 24 July, to give you a handful of days to get organised.

What's on at the Festival

There is an embarrassment of activities to enjoy, including demos, tastings, cocktail-making, family-friendly workshops and more. There’s a Celebrity Chef Cookery Theatre, with guests including Rosemary Shrager, John Whaite, Matt Pritchard, Chris Bavin, Matt Tebbutt, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Masterchef finalist, Pookie.

To find out more, visit The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, and set your Sat Nav for WR13 6NW now (opens Google Maps). To be in with your chance to win two free tickets, head over to our Social channels and Like and tag in a friend now. Good luck!

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The Festival line-up for foodies!

Visit the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival’s website here. Find them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Here’s their full What’s On timetable. And if you can’t wait for the competition winner to be announced – get your tickets online in advance. Have a great show everyone!

Posted on by Lauracollacott

6 ORGANIC CAFES NEAR THE ROAD

Organic leaves being grown at Plaw Hatch Farm

We pride ourselves on championing some of the very best, and most considerate producers in the country, but some of them really go the extra mile when it comes to minimising their use of chemicals and nurturing nature in the process. Here are a few of our favourite cafes, restaurants and farms walking the organic talk, but for more stops featuring organic goodies, just have a look at the ‘find a stop’ section of our website and search using the ‘organic’ icon.

Helen Browning’s Royal Oak

Run by the CEO of the Soil Association, the Royal Oak has the organic ethos in its DNA. The dining pub stands at the centre of Eastbrook Farm, an organically run outfit in Wiltshire’s Marlborough Downs, and serves home-reared meat and home-grown produce. You will genuinely taste the difference in the quality of the ingredients. Mouthwatering.

Owens Coffee

The beans might not be grown on our shores, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care where our coffee comes from. Owens sure does. Committed to supplying organic beans from ethically run estates, the company walks the sustainable, nature friendly talk. That means you can rest easy when you sup on a cortado and cake on the sunny terrace.

Plaw Hatch Farm

As a proudly biodynamic, community-owned farm, Plaw Hatch is guaranteed to supply similarly organic ingredients to its café. After watching the cow milking at 4pm, head to the pantry to stock up on locally produced cheese, honey, loafs of sourdough, and veggies from the garden, and grab a coffee and cake while you’re at it.

Piercebridge Farm Shop

There are more than 2,000 organic products at this beautiful farm shop in the Durham countryside. Careful stewards of the countryside, the owners here rear cows, sheep, pigs and chickens in step with the local wildlife. Stop in to stock up on deli goods and enjoy a nice cold drink.

Arthurs Farm Kitchen Cafe at Fordhall Farm

A trail-blazer in the organic movement, Fordhall Farm ditched chemicals in its farming more than 65 years ago. Today, it’s community-owned and still true to its nature friendly ethos. The same goes for the food in Arthurs Farm Kitchen, housed in a beautifully renovated old dairy. Enjoy plates made from organic cheddar, pasture-fed pigs, and chemical-free jams.

The Prospects Trust: Unwrapped

Shelves at this socially inspired enterprise are filled with organic vegetables – many grown up the road at the charity’s own fabulous Snakehall Farm, which is committed to organic growing methods. The same ethos applies to the food available in the café, where you can grab a barista coffee and warm bake from the kitchen.

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6 UNIQUE FERRY TRIPS TO TAKE IN THE UK

Did you know that around 4,400 islands make up the British Isles, although only around 210 are inhabited. UK ferry journeys can offer a fresh perspective on the coastline. To add a voyage to your overland journey, find inspiration with this collection of six of the country’s most unique crossings.

Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney

The wonderfully named Scrabster, on Scotland’s North coast, is a jumping off point for a short-ish (90 minute) hop to the Orkney archipelago. It takes passengers past the Old Man of Hoy, a famed 137m high sea stack off the coast. The archaeological wonders on Stromness (below) are something else.

Glenelg to Kylerhea, Skye

The original crossing point between Skye (pictured below) and the mainland, a small ferry crosses this narrow channel in season. It’s an unusual turntable design, so the ferry pulls up alongside the slipway and the crew turn the deck to embark cars and passengers. Sure, you can drive over the bridge to get to Skye these days, but if you do you’ll miss the sea eagles, otters and seals that frequent the waters. Grab a coffee at the Shore Station café to stop and enjoy the view.

Kingswear to Dartmouth

Crossing the water saves drivers a lengthy detour round the river Dart and gives a lovely view of the picturesque harbour town, including the castle and Royal Naval College; keep eyes peeled for helicopters as well as wildlife. Two boats make the crossing, straightforwardly named Lower Ferry or Higher Ferry.

Lymington to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

The shortest route across the Solent, this 40-minute journey spirits you from the New Forest to the tranquil Isle of Wight, passing Hurst Castle on the way. On the other side of the water you’ll see its counterpart, Yarmouth Castle, which was built by Henry VIII as a gun platform to defend the waterway.

Feock to Philleigh, Cornwall

Another time and mile saver, this crossing saves drivers the 27-mile alternative route round the Truro River. The King Harry Ferry (pictured below) has been transporting passengers to the Roseland peninsula since 1888, and today’s incarnation offers calming views through the glass side, and a view onto the chains guiding the boat across the water. Find out more about the route at Fal River Ferries.

Penzance to St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly

Affectionately known as the Vomit Comet, thanks to the rough ride it can offer in high seas, the Scillonian III takes passengers on a nearly three-hour journey to the UK’s southernmost islands. Hope that the weather is fine so that you can enjoy the beautiful views of Cornwall’s coast as it glides past. Explore timetables for your next adventure with Isles of Scilly Travel.

Inspired to take a road trip, boat trip or best-of-both-worlds trip? When travelling across the UK to actual ports or simply metaphorical ports of call, don’t forget to check that The Extra Mile is in your glovebox (with the Venue Finder on home-screen speed-dial) to ensure your journey eats are as memorable as the trip itself. Get your copy here.

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FAVOURITE UK WATERFALLS

As a rainy, lumpy country, there is no shortage of waterfalls in the UK. After a hot, dry summer where most dwindled to trickles, one benefit of the seasonal turn to drizzle is that the waterfalls are back in full display. Waterfalls also emit negative ions which are said to be good for your health, helping with mood, sleep, metabolism and our immune systems. For a truly restorative stop, work one of these into your journey.

Waterfall Country: The Brecon Beacons National Park

Though famous and increasingly popular, it would be churlish not to mention the Brecon Beacon’s famous waterfalls at the southwestern corner of the national park. The Four Falls Trail is a well-trodden route taking in several of the area’s finest. Wales’s answer to the rain forest, the area is as magical as it is fragile, so do make sure you stick to the paths and take litter home (which we hope would be a no brainer). Visit Waterfalls Country on the National Park website – the lovely falls pictured below are in Neath.

Grey Mare’s Tail, Dumfries

Watch the water tumble 60m from Loch Skeen into the Moffat Valley. Consider a ranger-guided walk to learn more about the fossils, rare upland plants, ring ouzels and vendace found here. The drive from the M74 to the reserve along the A708 is said to be one of Scotland’s most scenic as well. Find out more with the National Trust for Scotland.

Thornton Force, Yorkshire

A popular cascade on Yorkshire’s waterfall circuit, the water here falls over the edge of a limestone cliff to dramatic effect. It’s one of several falls on the Ingleton Waterfalls walk (so named for the nearest town) and is the most popular. If you want it to yourself, try timing your visit for a weekday. The Dales are home to more than 50 waterfalls, so if you’d rather find a lesser known one, try one on this list. Uncover the area courtesy of the My Yorkshire Dales website.

Aber Falls, Snowdonia

Just a short distance from the A55, Aber Falls (pictured above) is an impressive introduction to the Snowdonia National Park. It’s at the foothills of the Carneddau where the Afon Goch (Red River) descends into the Menai Straits. The 4.5km path is accessible to all and has picnic areas and open spaces for running off some steam. Explore Aber Falls online before planning your trip. Image (c) Snowdonia.gov.wales.

Hellgill Force, Cumbria

Although Aira Force is arguably Cumbria’s most famous (and there ought to be a lot of waterfalls in England’s watery lake district), Hellgill Force is an impressive slot-canyon fall at the start of the River Eden under the Crinkle Crags fell. It’s easy to reach from the B6259 and there’s a small parking area available at Aisgill Moor Cottages. Find out more about Aira and its neighbouring falls here at Visit Cumbria.

North Glen Sannox, Arran

Beautifully clear waters slip over the granite stone here in a pretty series of waterfalls (pictured below). If your trip is taking you out to the islands of Scotland’s west coast, make this one of your stops. And if the islands aren’t on your itinerary, consider adding Arran, which at a 55-minute ferry ride from Ardrossan, is one of Scotland’s most accessible. Explore North Glen Sannox’s pools and falls.

Water-break-its-neck, Powys

So memorably named we had to include this one in mid-Wales! At Water-break-its-neck, hills and rivers combine to create a selection of tall falls. It’s easy to reach through a forested path and is suitable for little legs as it’s only a kilometre there and back from the car park. Explore Water-break-its-neck (pictured below) and surrounds on this Country File recommended walk.