Gastronomic Devon and Cornwall - ‘The best larder in all of Europe’
7
days
from
£3,790
ex flights
6th July 2026
- Encompasses both a study of artisan food and drink production and outstanding restaurants.
- Lunch at Michael Caines’ Lympstone Manor ends the tour.
- Takes place among some of the loveliest landscapes in Britain.
- Most visits possible by special arrangement only and the lecturer’s personal contacts.
The gastronomic renaissance that has been taking place all over the United Kingdom has profound roots in the West Country, notably in the counties of Devon and Cornwall.
Climatically the mildest area of the country (Devon’s so-called English Riviera boasts palm trees, while south Cornwall features sub-tropical foliage and plantings), this region has long been the source of some of the finest things to eat and drink: organic vegetables from the South Hams; rich dairy products such as traditional farmhouse cheeses, clotted cream, farm ice cream; an outstanding catch of fish and shellfish landed at Exmouth, Brixham, Newlyn and Padstow; meats from local breeds such as Red Ruby cattle and Exmoor sheep; English wines, regional and craft beers, and farmhouse ciders; and much more.
A supportive and virtuous circle of farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, artisan producers, some of the country’s most talented and high-profile chefs, and appreciative and knowledgeable consumers and diners has resulted in a food scene that is squarely local, wonderfully varied and, at all levels, never less than deliciously vibrant.
This tour goes direct to the source to discover, learn, taste and enjoy. We meet some of the inspirational people who work so hard to produce such good things to eat and drink. We enjoy a lunch of just-picked organic vegetables and local meat in a ‘field kitchen’. We dine, seated on hay bales, on a feast of the best meat you will ever eat, expertly cooked over fire pits by the farmer himself. And we visit the National Lobster Hatchery to understand how this delicious crustacean can be sustainably raised. A cream tea is obligatory of course – but does the cream or the jam go on first? Other highlights include pub lunches, a vineyard visit, a cheese tasting masterclass, and splendid seafood.
‘The West Country has the best larder not just in the UK but in all of Europe,’ says Michael Caines, the inspirational and highly acclaimed two-star Michelin chef. The tour concludes with lunch at Lympstone Manor, Michael’s country house hotel overlooking the Exe estuary.
Itinerary
The coach leaves Exeter St David’s Railway Station at 12.30pm. A simple lunch is included before transferring to Sidmouth for the first of three nights.
Cheese masterclass and tasting at Quicke’s, award-winning producer of cloth-wrapped traditional farmhouse cheddar. Visit to Pipers Farm to meet the animals, then lunch on hay bales around the fire pits.
Begin the day with a visit to Buckfast Abbey, home to a community of Benedictine Monks. Guy Watson’s Riverford Farm is the source of organic vegetables delivered in ‘boxes’ all around the country. Farm visit followed by lunch of organic vegetables and local organic meats in the ‘field kitchen’. Some free time in Sidmouth before dinner at The Pig at Combe, with a menu of foods sourced locally within a 25-mile radius.
A walk on Dartmoor to Haytor Rocks is followed by a picnic lunch of local food and drink. Continue to Padstow, where the next three nights are spent. Enjoy an early-evening seafood cooking demonstration and tasting at Rick Stein’s Cookery School.
Visit the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan, before lunch at a nearby restaurant. Continue to St Austell Brewery for a tasting of their award-winning beers. In the afternoon visit Trevibban Mill Vineyard, a family-run vineyard producing sparkling and still wine and cider.
Learn about the life cycle of lobsters and what can be done to help them to reproduce sustainably at the National Lobster Hatchery. Free afternoon in the utterly charming port town of Padstow, with an optional ferry trip to Rock and a walk to St Enodoc Church, where the poet laureate Sir John Betjeman is buried.
Michael Caines held two Michelin stars at Gidleigh Park for 18 years. His country house hotel which opened in 2017 won a Michelin star only six months after opening. A special lunch menu has been devised for us to highlight and showcase places and producers visited during the week. Finish at Exeter St David’s Railway Station by 5.30pm.
Expert speaker
Mr Marc Millon
Wine, food and travel writer. Born in Mexico, he was raised in the USA before studying English Literature at the University of Exeter. Together with his wife, he has pioneered a series of illustrated wine-food-travel books including The Wine and Food of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy, The Food Lover’s Companion to France and The Food Lover’s Companion to Italy. He is also the author of The Taste of Britain and lives in Devon, where he is closely involved with the food scene of the West Country. Marc is a certified Vinitaly International Italian Wine Ambassador. His next book, Italy in a Wineglass, will be published in Spring 2024 and tells the story of Italy through its wines. Twitter: @Marc_Millon
More tours led by Mr Marc Millon
Practicalities
Two sharing: £3,790. Single occupancy: £4,360.
Travel by private coach; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts; 7 lunches (one light) and 4 dinners (one light) with wine, water, coffee; all admissions, private openings, tours, tastings and cooking demonstrations; all tips; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel: a comfortable 4-star hotel situated in the seaside town of Sidmouth. Like the sister hotel in Padstow the décor throughout is contemporary and cosy with a gentle nautical theme. Padstow Harbour Hotel: a revamped Victorian hotel perched above Padstow. Single rooms throughout are doubles for sole use. Estuary view rooms in Padstow are available on request for an upgrade fee.
There is a lot of walking on tracks in vineyards and farms, participants must be steady on their feet and able to walk unaided over rough ground in order to fully enjoy the tour. There is quite a lot of driving, often in two minibuses as access is limited at many of the special sites visited. Average distance by coach per day: 70 miles.
On a tour that focuses on food, wine and cooking traditions, we regret that participants with special diets may not have the same gastronomic experience as those with no restrictions. Please discuss your requirements with us before booking.
Between 10 and 22 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Combine this tour with: Gardens in the Highlands, 24 June–2 July 2026.
Dates & prices
2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
6th - 12th July 2026
Speaker:
Mr Marc Millon
Price:
£3,790 ex flights
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