In a picnic frame of mind
Olivia’s Bakery in the high street is the place to find artisan bread and satisfying sandwiches. Pop a black pudding or cheese and onion loaf in your basket or some freshly-baked pastries. Try peanut butter blondies and a selection of pies. The deli at Lewis & Cooper is the place to shop for your picnic meats, pates and cheeses.
oliviasbakeryandcafe.co.uk
lewisandcooper.co.uk
Time for tea
Bettys Tearoom in Northallerton is a safer, queue-free bet than its Harrogate and York counterparts if you want to sample the famous café tea-rooms vibe. It does get busy but not quite as frenzied as its tourist-packed relatives. The coffee is great, fat rascals worth a try and don’t miss a rarebit with chutney. Dine in the elegant ‘Palm Room’, with its domed glass roof, huge window mirrors and 3m high Chusan Palm.
Fill those baskets
Roots Farm Shop a few miles from Northallerton has a fabulous butchery on-site which makes delicious treats from its neighbouring farms. Pork and prune sausages take some beating. Plenty of locally-made pies, cakes and cheeses too.
Eat well
The Cleveland Tontine, a couple of miles from Northallerton makes food a fine affair with tasting menus or delectable bistro dishes such as home-smoked old spot ravioli with French black pudding and air-dried ham. Eclectic bedrooms with daring design are a trademark of the place too.
Crathorne Arms, close to the A19, is the place for a cheeky teatime Bloody Mary and plate of oysters in a pub with sink-in sofa relaxation. The legendary Eugene McCoy is your host bringing dazzling gastro food, lunches to linger over and a memorable wine list.
Lay your head
The Black Horse Kirkby Fleetham is a cool gastro pub with stylish rooms. Picnic hamper breakfasts, wooden settles, and charming bedrooms. Settle down with a pint of Black Sheep, hot roast beef sandwiches or the comfort of local rabbit, shepherd’s pie with honey-glazed carrots followed by tarte tatin with crème anglaise.
Diary date – June 28
Homegrown Food Festival is a free and fun-packed celebration of food from locals who make it, celeb chefs who cook it and visitors who eat it.
