Sophie Weir

🌊 The Boat, a restaurant and micro-farm in Lichfield, Staffordshire, helmed by Chef Liam Dillon, is Michelin guide recommended and included in the Estrella Damm Top Gastropubs list. Earning Three Rosettes and noted for its wine list and sustainability, it was a finalist in the 2024 AA sustainability award. Over eight years, Liam transformed a pub into a venue with on-site produce, including 5 bee hives, pigs, 24 hens, and various crops like cicely and wasabi. The Boat's menu, featuring Porthilly rock oysters, Staffordshire lamb, and more, is based on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, and supplemented by an aquaponics system farming trout. Guests can choose from a la carte or tasting menus, complemented by organic and biodynamic wines.

🍴 La Colonna at Hotel Le Fontanelle, opened in 2006 in Chianti Classico, offers a 5-star Italian dining experience under Chef Francesco Ferrettini. With a philosophy centered on tradition and high-quality local ingredients, the restaurant features a menu that changes seasonally, including dishes like risotto alla milanese made with Ticino Valley Carnaroli rice, San Miniato saffron, and 30-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano. The hotel's aromatic garden supports sustainability and enriches dishes with fresh flavors, showcasing Italy's authentic flavors and landscape.

🏠 Chef David Everitt-Matthias has been active for 38 years, winning acclaim since 1987. His restaurant, Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham, offers a seasonally driven and locally sourced menu, starting from £43 for two courses and £50 for three courses. The Telegraph listed it as one of the 15 best value Michelin star restaurants. Cheltenham hosts festivals including the Jazz Festival in early May, the Music Festival in July, and the Literature Festival in October.