travel – 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 11/07/202312/07/2023 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.

Posted on 19/06/202327/06/2023 by The Extra Mile

PLACES TO EAT ON THE WAY TO GLASTONBURY

Road tripping to Glastonbury? Looking for somewhere to stop for food on your way to the mighty Glasto? If you’re in need of proper, good food ahead of a weekend of hedonistic indulgence, we’ve got you covered. These fabulous local businesses are mere minutes from some of the main road routes to the great tented music city.

Driving to Glastonbury from the north: Hartley Farm Shop

For those wending their way south of the M4 on the way to Pilton, it’s worth planning a stop at Hartley Farm Shop near Bradford-on-Avon. You can line stomachs with proper farm house breakfasts or wood-fired pizzas (depending on the time of day) and grab some car snacks for the onward journey. We’ll never stop going on about sausage rolls as a supreme car snack, and theirs are excellent. A first-rate place to stop to eat en route to Glastonbury.

Heading to Glasto off the M5: Honey and Ginger

If you’re driving the fast M5 route to Glastonbury, it’s a short swoosh off the carriageway to find Honey and Ginger. As the Extra Mile is Bristol-based, you’re in our stomping ground so we’re regulars at this fabulous shop and café. Grab yourself a frothy coffee and pastry to tide you over the rest of your journey, and if you’re a late arrival to the festival and passing on a Friday, don’t miss the doughnut specials.

Driving to Glasto from the east: Teals Farm Shop, Somerset

Driving to Glasto from London or the east? The A303 takes you most of the way from London to the Glastonbury festival site. The most direct Google maps route will take you off a little earlier to cut through Warminster, but stay on the main road a bit longer and you’ll avoid some traffic AND get to stop at the marvellous Teals Farm Shop. You can stock up on camping supplies in the cavernous food hall, have a hearty plate in the café, or cool down with a gelato ice cream.

Driving west to Glastonbury: Longstock Park Farm Shop

If you’re driving from the east to Glasto on the A303 and want to find somewhere good and local to eat on your way, a 10-minute detour can have you at the door of Longstock Park Farm Shop. Estate-harvested ingredients are whipped into delicious brunches and lunches and the cakes are second-to-none. Grab a bench in the orchard to peruse the set listings over an iced coffee before you reach festival bedlam. This is actually the farm shop of Waitrose and Partners (not a lot of people know that) so the quality is predictably high.

Driving to Glastonbury from Wales: visit Haughmond Village Store

Driving down to the festival of festivals from North Wales? Split the journey at Haughmond Village Store, Café and Bakery. As the name suggests, it’s an all-rounder. Pep yourself up with a coffee while you charge your electric car, tuck into a homemade pasty, or stash some sandwiches and supplies for later in the journey.

Driving from Wales to Glastonbury: Forage Farm Shop

Those making the pilgrimage to Glastonbury from South Wales would do well to stop at Forage Farm Shop. A celebration of Welsh food and flavours, the kitchen serves up tantalising and hearty meals (even late into the evening on summer weekends), so you can enjoy a proper feed before letting loose on the dance floors. The farm shop shelves are stocked with seasonal, natural products too, so it’s a good place to stock up the cool box.

Driving to Glasto from the South West: Sheppy's Cider Farm

Get into the Glastonbury spirit by pausing your journey at a Somerset cider farm. Sheppy’s is a well-established family cider business that has successfully branched out (pardon the pun) into hospitality. Non-drivers could sup a refreshing glass of the good stuff, while everyone will enjoy the sizzling sausages and tasty plates in the café. Stash some deli goods in your bags for some decadent festival treats later in the weekend. A classic West Country stop on your way to the West Country’s best-known event.

Food stop near Pilton: take me to The Bridge

Just half an hour away from Pilton, you’re probably at the fringe of the festival traffic here, so if the queues are getting too much pull into The Bridge Bakery and Canteen for a tasty brunch, cooling sorbet milkshake, or moreish cookies. Enjoy a moment of rest on the banks of the River Parrett before embarking on the final furlong of your Glastonbury journey. A great place to stop to eat on your way to Glastonbury

Buy The Extra Mile Guide: find better places to eat

Enjoy finding places to eat near you and near motorway junctions that are more interesting than boring big brands? Buy The Extra Mile Guide, out now and currently an Amazon No. 1 Bestseller (as at April – June 2023). It’s packed with almost 300 better places to eat where you can find local food and flavours produced, picked or made by local people, to help support the UK’s small food businesses.

Coming next from The Extra Mile team: The Coastal Café Guide

In 2024, Printslinger Publishing (the team behind The Extra Mile) will bring out a new guidebook to the best cafés and places to eat around the UK’s coastlines. Visit our new website here and follow us on FB and Insta to keep up to date with Coastal Cafés. Got a great suggestion for somewhere that would be great in this new coastal café guidebook? Email us today. Happy Glastonbury, all!

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

Posted on 11/11/202202/01/2023 by The Extra Mile

WHERE TO HIRE A CAMPERVAN

Looking to make a proper road-trip of it? You’re going to need a campervan. Like Airbnb, a number of companies now offer campervan hire direct from owners, so you can rent a home-on-wheels no matter where you are in the country.

Camplify

A platform for renting recreational vehicles, with a range of sizes and styles. Van owners are all personally verified by the team and RAC cover means you don’t need to worry about breaking down. Some owners will even deliver the van to your holiday destination.

Paul Camper

Home to more than 1,000 private campers, you can take your pick on Paul Camper. Although the sharing website was born in Berlin, it’s spread to the UK and has a range of vans across the country. Handovers are in person so you can visit it and take it for a test drive before finalising the booking.

Quirky Campers

Specialists in hiring out bespoke campervans, Quirky Campers rents out a range of beautifully designed motors so you can live out your #vanlife dreams, if only for a little while. The company prides itself on sustainable credentials so expect vans fitted out with masterfully reclaimed materials (see picture below from Quirky Campers), as well as carbon offsetting for your driving miles.

Go Boony

Boonies are a New Zealand term for beautiful, untouched places, so Go Boony is a nod to where the founders of Go Boony met – on a campervan trip, naturally. They claim to have the largest fleet in the UK, with pet and bike friendly options easy to find.

Suitably inspired to hit the road? Find perfect pitstops and idyllic farm shops at which to shop and stock up, in The Extra Mile guidebook – friend of campervan gloveboxes everywhere – or by using the online Venue Finder.

Posted on 11/11/202214/11/2022 by The Extra Mile

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.

Posted on 04/11/202211/11/2022 by The Extra Mile

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.

Posted on 17/10/202217/10/2022 by The Extra Mile

CATCH THE UK’S BEST AUTUMN COLOURS

Are you a leaf peeper?

Europe is beginning to catch on to the North American hobby of leaf peeping, a term used to describe trips dedicated to the seeking out of blazing autumnal colours. The Japanese call it momijigari which means maple viewing, more specifically, but the quest for colourful leaves is the same. Who hasn’t gaped in wonder at the golds and russet reds of the UK’s woodlands as the seasons change? What better reason for an autumnal exploration? Here are some of the UK’s best leaf peeping spots.

Gibside, Tyne and Wear Designed for its stunning views and now a National Trust property, Gibside (pictured above), at the edge of the Derwent Valley near Gateshead, is heaven for leaf chasers with 720-acres of beckoning woodland. Download one of four walking routes through the landscaped parkland to maximise your stop. (Image (c) National Trust)

Wintour’s Leap, Gloucestershire

Enjoy the sylvan colours of the Forest of Dean blazing around the horse-shoe sweep of the river Wye from the unique vantage point of Wintour’s Leap, just to the north of Chepstow (pictured below). It’s also a popular climbing spot, if any adventurers have their ropes and harness in the boot. Visit Dean Wye has lots of great ideas for activities in and around the region. (Image (c) Visit Dean Wye.)

Llanwrst, Wales
Is there a more iconic image of autumn in Wales than the Tu Hwnt I’r Bont tea room (pictured below)? We don’t think so. Make this Virginia-creeper clad cottage part of your autumn road trip to see it in its full, fiery glory.

(Image (c) Tu Hwnt I’r Bont.)

Glen Affric, Scotland

Sometimes touted as Scotland’s most beautiful glen (though it’s a hard-fought crown), Glen Affric’s woodland and moorland come alive in autumn as the leaves change colour. With a 10-mile circular walking circuit, prepare to enjoy them from every angle.

(Image (c) Visit Scotland.)

Stourhead, Wiltshire
Famous for its spectacular hues in autumn, the National Trust’s Stourhead property is decadent in its autumn splendour (pictured below). Enjoy this quintessential view across the lake towards the Pantheon to see the colours in reflected glory.
(Image (c) National Trust)

The Extra Mile glovebox guidebook brims with excellent eating choices, designed to take motorists just off the main roads and into the lovely communities and locally run foodie businesses hidden around each corner. This autumn, escape the monotony of the Services and the bland forecourt food at A road garages around the country. Use The Extra Mile book or online map to eat more memorably. To buy a copy for yourself, or as a gift for a favourite, frequent-travelling friend, visit our online shop today.

Posted on 01/09/202207/09/2022 by The Extra Mile

TELL US YOUR TIPS

The Extra Mile from Glovebox Guides (ed. 3)

Avoid the Services: Nominate great cafés for the new guide

Research is underway for the 2023 edition of The Extra Mile – Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services – every driver’s essential guide to good food on the move.

Nominations are welcomed from (or for) independent cafés, cosy tea rooms, quirky pit-stops and welcoming farm shops – within a 15-minute drive of a motorway or main A-road junction – to feature in this useful glovebox guidebook and on its companion website. Is there anywhere we really shouldn’t miss?

Writer, Kerry O’Neill, said, “We’re keen to fill the upcoming fourth edition of this sell-out guide with some classic and new foodie destinations to help drivers avoid the monotony of motorway services. We’ll uncover the best farm shops, cafés, tea rooms and eateries we can find near motorway and main A-road junctions, many of which would love a helping hand following the challenges of recent years. The Extra Mile helps its readers find and support the small and independent food and drink businesses who are going the extra mile to keep us all fed and watered in local, low-food-mile style.”

England, Scotland and Wales: the café hunt continues

In early Sept 2022, Icelandic foodie and photographer Iris Thorsteinsdottir will set off to explore Scotland’s off-motorway and A-road wilds on a quest to find more venues to join The Extra Mile while author Kerry O’Neill continues her quest across Wales and England.

Nominate yourself or a favourite venue

To nominate a venue to join The Extra Mile – Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services for the team to visit, go to Find a stop to see if it’s already part of the collection. If not, submit the information at Join the Guide. Nominations should be interesting and independent (or part of a small regional chain) with a strong locally-sourced food ethos. They must be within a short drive – 15 minutes maximum and the closer the better – of a motorway or main A-road junction in mainland England, Wales or Scotland. Most importantly, they should be friendly, foodie and fabulous!

Who can be nominated?

Coffee shops and tea rooms
Cafés and bistros (including those within gardens or visitor attractions)
Farm shops, farm shop cafés, garden centre cafés
Delis and bakeries
Vegetarian and plant-based cafés
Unusual take-aways, pre-order picnics/ veg box companies
Ice-cream parlours
Breweries, wineries or distilleries with sit-in food options
Family-friendly and dog-friendly spots

Buy a copy for yourself or for a gift

The Extra Mile – Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services is the essential glovebox guidebook for anyone seeking interesting eats while exploring England, Scotland and Wales by car. It’s the ideal gift for drivers, food lovers and gloveboxes everywhere. The most recent edition (ed. 3, 2019, by Laura Collacott) sold out and was refreshed and reprinted for 2022 by Glovebox Guides. The new, fourth edition is being compiled now, with a deadline for inclusion of 30 Sep 2022. The book will be in good bookshops and online in 2023. For updates and an alert when the new edition is available to order, subscribe to our newsletter on the homepage. Buy the current edition now while stocks last.

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Notes for editors
For further press information and to discuss related content, photography, book giveaways and reader competitions, email Kerry at The Extra Mile Guide.

The Extra Mile guidebook
The Extra Mile – Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services is the essential glovebox guidebook to memorable food and drink experiences while on the move. It helps readers replace monotonous motorway food with the fresh, colourful and often locally sourced flavours of over 300 independent cafes, growers, makers and bakers, all within a 15-minute drive of a motorway or main A-road junction. Plan your journey, explore the alternative eateries and eat better when on the move, while supporting local producers.

The Extra Mile website
The Extra Mile site is an extension of the print guidebook with venue details and a ‘search by map’ function to direct hungry drivers to their chosen foodie venue. The site is updated regularly, with a curated collection of stop-offs, eateries and farm shops featuring in each new edition of the book. To submit a venue or request to join the collection, visit Join the Guide.

Glovebox Guides
Glovebox Guides is an imprint of Printslinger Ltd, the independent publishing company run by renowned slow food lover, Alastair Sawday. Glovebox Guides will publish the fourth edition of The Extra Mile – Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services in 2023 as the first in a series of new titles. Buy direct from Glovebox Guides to ensure you get the refreshed 2022 reprint.

Kerry O’Neill, author
Kerry O’Neill is a UK-based travel researcher and writer with an MSc in literary tourism. She has collaborated with key sustainable travel, food and wine brands including Secret Compass Expeditions, Sustrans, TravelLocal, Sawday’s Special Places to Stay, Sidetracked magazine, Avery’s Wine Merchants and FoodWorks South West. The Extra Mile is her first collaboration with Glovebox Guides.