Three spur-of-the-moment foodie pilgrimages from Manchester

How far? One hour 40 minutes.

It’s hard to know what’s best about a trip to Cartmel – the beautiful views or the food scene that awaits. Simon Rogan has built a little foodie empire in this corner of the Lake District, and while his fine-dining restaurant L’Enclume often grabs the limelight, his sister joint Rogan & Co should not be overlooked. Instead of an elaborate tasting menu, the Michelin-starred Rogan & Co serves hearty meals underpinned by Rogan’s commitment to local, natural ingredients – many of which are sourced from their farm.

Order this: Bag a deal with their lunch menu: just £24 for two courses, or £29 for three. 

How far? 40 minutes.

You might want to rethink that holiday to San Sebastián, because believe it or not, brilliant Basque cooking can be found in Greater Manchester. In the quaint market town of Ramsbottom you’ll find a thriving local food scene, and Baratxuri is among the best. This backstreet joint features a cosy bar where diners can pull up a stool and help themselves to a tempting line up of pintxos, but the comedor dining room is the main event. It’s fuelled by a wood-fired Pereruela oven: a beast of a thing that imparts a smoky, chargrilled flavour. Rustic is the word here, with big cuts of meat and whole fish carved theatrically at the table. 

Order this: Txuleton steak is not often spotted around these parts. It’s considered the holy grail of beef, and it’s next-level when wood-fired.

How far? One hour 40 minutes. 

For all-out luxury, a trip to Gilpin Hotel & Lake house is a must. This stunning escape in the Lake District features private spa lodges nestled around a picturesque private lake, and it’s just a ten-minute drive from Lake Windermere. The jewel in the crown is head chef Hrishikesh Desai’s Michelin-starred HRiSHi, an un-stuffy fine dining restaurant where classic Lake District produce is creatively combined with pan-Asian flavours to create imaginative, modern dishes. 

Order this: Indulge in the tasting menu (£150 with wine pairing) for the likes of crispy soft-shelled crab ‘Kochi Thatukkadas’ style, with sweet and sour Bombay celeriac and tamarind chutney.