GILL MELLER / My Food-Fuelled Dorset & Devon Getaway

The River Cottage head chef takes us on a food-filled tour of his favourite hotspots across the West Country

THE OLD DAIRY KITCHEN, TRILL FARM

The Old Dairy Kitchen is an educational kitchen and community dining space based on Trill Farm in East Devon. For me, it’s one of the loveliest places to go and eat with exceptional, seasonal cooking of organic ingredients. The team not only run this as a restaurant but they also teach cookery skills, serve weekly meals and produce a range of products from the farm. Every week there is a farm lunch and monthly feast, serving the best of the season as well as a traditional Sunday lunch (with some creative additions!). Look out for their range of cookery courses with a seasonal twist, including game butchery or a weekend of pork. olddairykitchen.co.uk

HIX OYSTER & FISH HOUSE

HIX Oyster & Fish House is perched on a hillside with some of the best views over the Cobb and Lyme Bay. The main dining room has floor to ceiling windows, which is perfect to enjoy the scenery on those rainy days, while the terrace is there for summer months. The entire menu is made up of locally sourced fish and seafood simply grilled on the bone, with a choice of green or hollandaise sauce – delicious! hixrestaurants.co.uk

RUSTY PIG, OTTERY ST MARY

he website sums this place up beautifully: “Rusty Pig is all about local – sourcing, flavours and people.” Owner Robin produces excellent charcuterie and salami, sausages, bacon and all things pig, handmade inhouse using ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The charcuterie can be found at selected outlets or bought directly from the Rusty Pig website. They also have a Feasting House, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, showcasing seasonal ingredients with communal dining downstairs and more intimate, individual tables for dinner guests upstairs. All food can be washed down with their delicious hedgerow cocktails! rustypig.co.uk

BRASSICA RESTAURANT, BEAMINSTER

This restaurant has been open for five years and was recently been awarded ‘best local restaurant’ in the South West by The Good Food Guide. The team have created a great dining experience, serving honest food that is expertly cooked and celebrates all the delicious produce from the area. The menu changes daily (sometimes twice) due to availability of ingredients from day boats and surrounding organic farms. Roughly 85% of the menu is sourced within 15 miles of Beaminister, which is an amazing feat. Everything you eat has been delivered on-site that very same day! Go for the Sunday roast with all the trimmings. brassicarestaurant.co.uk

THE FISHERMAN’S WIFE, LYME REGIS

The Fisherman’s Wife is a fantastic little takeaway down by the Cobb. It’s a must for any visitors to the town! It’s no ordinary chippy, with hand-dived scallops and lobster caught from their own boat as well as traditional cod, fish cakes and chips. Everything is deliciously fresh and it’s only a stone’s throw from the historic harbour front.