Summer in Cumbria

Written on August 6th, 2013

As thousands of visitors know well, summer in Cumbria is really special.  But whether you’re just passing through or here for life, you’d be mad not to celebrate a great Northern summer by eating local. This month, our focus on Cumbrian-made products features hot spice, cooling beer and plenty of treats in between.

Many of the region’s most picturesque spots have a delicious double appeal, producing real foodie treasures as well as postcard-ready scenery. From the lovely village of Hawkshead, we have Chillililli relish, an unusual take on piccalilli that adds lots of fresh chilli to the classic mix of crisp, chunky spiced vegetables. As well as the priory and racecourse, Cartmel gives us the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, too airy and light (and perfect with ice cream) to be confined to winter eating. We’re also proud to stock a real delicacy from the glorious Holker estate. Saltmarsh lamb is raised on the marshes that fringe Morecambe Bay, and the salty coastal grazing gives it a sweet flavour and fine-grained texture. Try it in our recipe for kebabs with a simple Greek salad.

We have enough local beer and cheese to keep ploughmen happy all summer long. Great Cumbrian examples are Coniston Bluebird, a tangy champion bitter made in the village, and Stringers IPA, brewed by Jon Kyme and Becky Stringer in Ulverston. They started making beer in their kitchen, gave up their jobs and moved to Cumbria to start a brewery; you can read more of their story here. To go alongside, try South Lakes Organic Cheddar or Eden Valley Organic Brie, which has a rich, creamy flavour that’s perfect with hoppy ale.
With fabulous food from all four of our counties, we could never pick a favourite. During the great Northern summer, we’re celebrating each in turn.

Cheshire is next. What it lacks in fells and lakes, it more than makes up for in ice cream and apple jam.