Driving home for Christmas? Michelin Restaurants outside of London worth a pit stop

Driving home for Christmas, a journey made famous in song and in our collective imagination. We romanticise the rush to get out of the city and back to the folks, for that hit of hometown nostalgia. The drive can be long and sometimes busy, so it might be a good idea to take a rest-stop on your way. What better way than to take a pit-stop at a leading restaurant with menus recognised by Michelin.

Read on for TheFork’s selection restaurants outside of London that are well worth a visit on your drive home for Christmas.

The Rose and Crown, Sherborne

With a history dating back to the 14th Century, this idyllic country pub has been a favourite among locals and travellers for generations. The Rose and Crown, in Sherborne, is revered for its great beer as well as a top-tier menu.

If you’re driving to the South West, then stop here to try some of their best dishes. From Chicken Liver Parfait with Orange and Pickled Shallot, to main courses like the 10oz Angus Rump with Tomato, Triple Cooked Chips and doused in Peppercorn Sauce.

Old Downton Lodge, Ludlow

Boasting beautiful idyllic views of a 5,000 acre estate, and comfortable, luxurious rooms for overnight stays, the Old Downton Lodge in Ludlow is one of our top choices for a stop over during your drive home for Christmas.

Their great menu, from Chef Nick Bennett, matches their fine surroundings. Starters from Cured pollock with Gooseberry jam and elderflower to Ham hock & chicken ballotine. Main dishes like the Pork loin & shoulder, Monkfish tail and Herefordshire venison with parsnips and pickled walnuts. Desserts like Caramelised chocolate with pear and Blackcurrant parfait with lemon and bergamot complete an unforgettable meal.

The Spence, Edinburgh

If Scotland beckons you home for Christmas, and you’re lucky enough to be driving through Edinburgh, then The Spence has a comfy seat and a well-laden table to welcome you with. Formerly the Royal Bank of Scotland, you can book a stop-off at this memorable dining destination on TheFork today.

Chef Jonny Wright puts his passion into every dish. Try starter snacks of Company bakery sourdough, or Crispy Pig on a grilled brioche with Lobster butter. Perhaps some shellfish of Scallop crudo or West Coast crab crumpet, with spiced butter and pickled cucumber. Main dishes like the Hunters pasta are made with a Game ragu on pappardelle.

Tyddyn Llan, North Wales

This rural getaway in the North of Wales, Tyddyn Llan, makes for a picturesque pit-stop on your way home for Christmas. Run by a friendly husband-and-wife team, experience their welcoming style and mouth-watering menu when you book your stay here on TheFork.

Each impressive dish here, from Chef Bryann Webb, speaks for itself. Think Griddled scallops with cauliflower purée, pancetta, caper and raisin dressing. Or Veal chops with wild mushrooms and tarragon cream sauce. Perhaps a Saddle of venison, with wild mushrooms, goats cheese gnocchi, Port and elderberry sauce - every bite is rich and luxurious.

Twelve Restaurant Lounge Bar, Thornton Lancashire town

Thornton is home to Twelve Restaurant Lounge Bar, a pleasant destination for dining and resting on a long ride, situated by a red-brick mill. The perfect location for that toasty, tasty stopover on the way home for Christmas.

Some of their top dishes include the Wild garlic, leek and potato soup, with Lancashire cheese croquettes, or Pork Pie with HP Sauce puree and pickled onions. Or the hearty Cumbrian Venison haunch with parsnips, and Crispy pork belly with braised apple and cauliflower puree. Desserts such as the Banana butty - a raspberry and banana parfait with biscoff shake - are an added bonus.

The Woodsman Restaurant, Stratford-upon-Avon

This local favourite haunt, The Woodsman, is a great reason to stop over in Stratford-upon-Avon on your drive home for Christmas. Book a table here on TheFork to experience their tip-top grub and merry seasonal cheer for yourself!

You best try some of their famous dishes, from the Rump Cap of Dry Aged Herefordshire Beef, a sticky cheek with sweet & sour onions, hook Norton ale and smoked ox tongue jus, to Breast & Thigh of Cotswold Guinea Hen, served with white beans, celeriac & hay, morteau sausage and kale.

Purnell's Restaurant, Birmingham

This Michelin-star restaurant near Birmingham is the gem in the crown of celebrity Head Chef Glynn Purnell. Purnell’s Restaurant deserves all of its many accolades for the mastery that ties its delicious menu together, dish by dish.

Enjoy expertly crafted dishes. From Ramsbury Estate venison with butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds and black pepper dauphine, to Slow cooked daube of beef with savoy cabbage, confit celeriac and parsley. Seafood is served fresh and flavourful with Scottish Sea trout, pickled shitake, cucumber, wasabi and tomato dashi. Not a single dish disappoints, so book on TheFork for your Christmas season stop-over at this leading eatery today.