A countryside inn in the Welsh borders has been named Britain’s top under-the-radar food destination in research by Kia, which highlights the nation’s best drive-to-dine experiences.
The Felin Fach Griffin, located between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, took first place in the ranking, praised for its seasonal menu, cosy interiors, log fires and nearby EV charge points.
The list was compiled using data from TripAdvisor reviews, Michelin awards, eco-friendly credentials and EV accessibility, with the aim of inspiring summer journeys.
Kia found that one in three people are set to hit the road this summer, with many seeking scenic stop-offs as part of their travel plans.
Second place went to The Small Holding in Cranbrook, Kent – a Michelin Green Star restaurant run by two brothers, offering a farm-to-fork tasting menu using produce grown on-site.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the gardens before dining, and more than 20 EV charging points are located nearby.
In third place was Manor Farm Catthorpe in Lutterworth, a Midlands farm shop and tearoom serving breakfasts, lunches and home-baked cakes made with locally sourced produce. Free parking and over 20 EV chargers add to its appeal as a picturesque pitstop.
Other entries in the top 10 included Osip in Somerset, offering no-menu farm-to-table dining; Chapters Restaurant in Hay-on-Wye; The Garden Restaurant in Northern Ireland; Interlude in Sussex; The Fat Lamb in the Yorkshire Dales; Grace & Savour in Solihull; and The Black Swan in Oldstead, Yorkshire.
A Kia spokesperson said: “We carried out this research to inspire summer adventures and highlight some of the incredible destinations people often miss on the map.
“With the UK’s growing EV infrastructure, scenic and sustainable road trips are more accessible than ever and that opens up a world of hidden food destinations for eco-conscious travellers.”
