The scenic village near Greater Manchester named the UK’s best foodie destination

Cartmel has been named the UK’s best destination for foodies, according to a new study. The picturesque Cumbrian village beat other locations in the region, including the Lake District’s Grasmere and Ambleside, to top the list of the country’s top culinary tourism hotspots.

The research, compiled by Sally’s Cottages, looked at 53 villages and towns across the UK and ranked them according to how good they were for a foodie holiday. Each place was given scores for 15 factors, which were then grouped into three categories.

These were: quality, which looked at aspects such as the number of Michelin recommended restaurants and number of five star-rated restaurants; diversity, which factored in the number of restaurants serving different cuisines (for example Indian and Mexican); and inclusivity, examining restaurants catering for different dietary requirements.

READ MORE: The town near Greater Manchester home to one of the UK’s best cheese shops

Cartmel topped the list with a score of 9.9 out of 15. Coming in second was Bray, in Berkshire with a score of 8.57, while Lancashire’s Fence ranked third with a score of 8.33.

With two restaurants boasting four Michelin stars between them, it’s easy to see how Cartmel bagged the top spot. L’Enclume, renowned chef Simon Rogan’s original Cartmel Restaurant, has three Michelin stars, while its laidback cousin Rogan and Co has one.

That’s not to mention the cafes, bakers, bars, restaurants and pubs which all contribute to the village’s gastronomic scene. Visitors have also flocked to the village for years to sample its iconic sticky toffee pudding, which can be purchased at the Cartmel Village Shop.

With three locations in the top ten, it’s clear the Lake District is a hotspot when