Fine Dining While Travelling To And From Your Holiday This Summer

The school holidays are upon us and it is time for that annual mass movement of half the country when we all ‘change position’ and head for our respective holiday destinations. The journey to our retreats can often be tiresome, frustrating and frankly boring in some cases – so why not plan a treat en route with some sumptuous dining to break the monotony?

Here are our recommendations for dining in transit – with all restaurants suggested below offering Club Member Benefits – don’t forget to check out the applicable meal periods.

Airports

Heading to Heathrow? Then avail yourself of Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food at Terminal 5. Based on the departure side you must pass security before dining and it is open from breakfast through to dinner offering express menus and picnics to take on board for those short on time. Members and their guests receive a complimentary glass of fizz when dining a la carte for lunch or dinner – click here for more details. (Note: Plane Food is currently being refurbished and is due to open late Summer 2017 – please check listing for details before booking)

Alternatively just a few footsteps from Terminal 5 and billed as the best airport dining experience, La Belle Époque at Sofitel London Heathrow serves fine modern French cuisine befitting to central London standards. The design reflects the bygone industrial era of ‘la Belle Époque’ otherwise known as the ‘Beautiful Era’ in France and Belgium before World War I. Member receive 25% off the total bill when dining a la carte so build in extra time or wait out your delay in style – click here for more details.

For those travelling from London Gatwick we have two excellent properties for you that are both within striking distance of the airport. Gravetye Manor is a glorious, unspoilt Elizabethan Manor House dating from 1598 yet just 12 miles from Gatwick. Furnished with antiquities, squeaking floors and log fires, it can best be described as a quintessential English home with 17 bedrooms if you fancy a stopover. Recently awarded a Michelin star, Chef, George Blogg, has created a modern British menu, with 95% of all fruit and vegetable used in the Summer months being from their beautiful kitchen garden. Members dine complimentary when dining with guests from the seasonal menu – click here for more details.

Another Manor just minutes from Gatwick is the exquisite four red-star hotel Langshott Manor. A perfect choice for a stopover before or

after your flight from Gatwick this remarkable venue blends classic character with contemporary and well-thought design. The Mulberry Restaurant with 3 AA Rosettes offers complimentary member dining for mid week dinner – click here for more details.

For those travelling from London’s Luton Airport look no further than the magnificent Luton Hoo. Situated on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire borders, just over 3 miles from the airport, this incredible estate spans 1065 acres of parklands, gardens and a 50 acre lake yet your journey to departures is less than 10 minutes. For those requiring a formal dining experience there can be few more spectacular settings than Luton Hoo’s Wernher Restaurant.

The dining room was extensively remodelled in the early 20th century by the architects of the Ritz Hotel. The stunning marble panel work and richly coloured fabrics are reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles. With two AA Rosettes and complimentary member dining offer for most meal periods, your holiday will start in the most exquisite way possible! Click here for more details. For those looking for a less formal meal then Luton Hoo’s second restaurant Adam’s Brasserie also offers complimentary member dining in the historic Robert Adam Stable building. Though more relaxed surroundings the restaurant also has 1 AA Rosette and on warm summer evenings the courtyard is a perfect spot to either start or end your trip – click here for details.

Ferry Ports

If your voyage is taking you to the south coast and the ferries at Folkstone we highly recommend the sleek and luxurious Rocksalt Restaurant. The floor to ceiling glass walls give every table a view over the harbour and on a clear day you can see right across to France. The room is surrounded by green leather banquettes, which provide the perfect vantage from which to see the tide roll in and the fishing boats land the day’s catch. The 2 AA Rosette menu is reflective of its location offering delicious seafood and fish cooked in a modern British style. Club Members benefit from a 25% reduction from the total bill – click here for more details.

If your are catching your boat from Felixstowe then The Crown Restaurant at Woodbridge is just 20 minutes outside the port. Offering an authentic old fashioned Inn but in a modern setting, the bustling bar plus 2 AA Rosette restaurant will offer welcome fayre whether you are travelling to or from the UK. With ten boutique bedrooms stay the night and explore this bustling market town. If you are simply stopping for food then Club members receive 10% reduction from the total food bill – more details here.

Motorway Borders

If your journey takes you either north or south across the Scottish/English Borders then magnificent Slaley Hall will provide the most dramatic gateway. An Edwardian mansion set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland countryside it is perfect for an idyllic short stay. Well positioned off both the A69 if you are crossing east/west or A68 for those travelling north/south, treat yourself to a relaxing break from the motorway in Duke’s Tea Room which offers complimentary member dining when having Afternoon Tea – click here for more details.

If the iconic Severn Bridge linking the English/Welsh Borders is your destination then we urge you to take a short detour to the fabulous Thornbury Castle on the edge of the Cotswolds. Set in unspoilt grounds with a vineyard and productive kitchen garden this grand castle dates back over 500 years and once housed Henry VIII and his new bride Anne Boleyn. Now carrying Grade I status, the Tudor Castle is a luxury hotel and a fabulous dining location serving British cuisine with invention and heritage. Members receive a complimentary bottle of house wine when dining in a party of four – click here for details.

Stations

If your itinerary takes you onto the railway systems of Great Britain then we have you covered. Starting in the capital if your trip takes you to London Victoria we suggest the impressive Goring and its award-winning dining room, just a stones throw from Buckingham Palace, as an elegant dining experience. With Edwardian charm and contemporary style the menu contains some of the Queen Mother’s favorite dishes including Eggs Drumkilbo. Club members and their guests receive a complimentary glass of Champagne when dining  – click here for more details.

If London Paddington is your station stop then ex- Nobu Chef Tomonari Chiba’s Dinings in Marylebone has fantastic service, talented cooking and reasonable prices along with class, style and individual surroundings. Members receive a complimentary Bellini on arrival for themselves and their guests – click here for more details.

For travellers to central London terminus, Waterloo, then Three 0 Two Restaurant at the H10 Hotel on Waterloo Road offers a dazzling array of Spanish food. Under the watchful eye of head chef Adalberto Cruz, the menu is a pure celebration of contemporary Spanish cuisine. Club members receive a complimentary ‘Tapas of the Day’ with every main course when having dinner – click here for more details. When you’ve finished dining visit the eighth floor Sky Bar for spectacular views of the capital.

For those heading to London Kings Cross/St Pancras – The Gilbert Scott Bar at The Renaissance Hotel has to be our best pick.  Enter via the impressive Gothic double doorway which was the former entrance to the hotel and also one of the first original revolving doors in the UK. Once inside you will be in awe of the soaring ceiling height and the ornate newly revealed original detailing, wonderous bell chandeliers and cathederal-like stonemasonry. Club members receive a 10% reduction from the food bill for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner all week – click here for more details.

Further up the country if you are travelling from or to Birmingham New Street then why not try the very latest in the Tom’s Kitchen group, Tom’s Kitchen Birmingham. Located in The Mailbox, right in the heart of Birmingham city centre it is open daily, serving British favourites, comfort food classics and seasonal specials in a relaxed and informal brasserie setting. Club members and their guest receive a complimentary glass of Champagne – click here for more details.

For users of Manchester Piccadilly, we suggest RosyLee, right at the edge of the town’s Northern Quarter. Established in late 2013 as a traditional tearoom, the restaurant has evolved and grown into a beautiful venture. This unique venue combines tradition and nostalgic tastes with modern gastronomy. Members receive a 20% reduction from the total food bill for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday – click here for more details.

Find out more about the Luxury Restaurant Club – the UK’s largest fine dining club, where you can subscribe to enjoy instant rewards, invitations and insights from over 500 of the finest restaurants in the UK. Find out more here.