As you meander through the district’s charming towns and villages, you’ll quickly discover sights, sounds, flavours and scents that encapsulate everything that’s brilliant about traditional English food and drink.

For example, there’s bursts of traditional pubs and tea rooms such as The Black Horse & Stables Tea Room in the enchanting village of Foxton, which combines the two. Situated near the historic Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal, it offers magnificent views from its garden and the comfort of traditional pub and café fare.

Or how about the thatched beauty of The Swan at Braybrooke? This lovely village pub with its pretty gardens has become a favoured retreat for many. And the historic and delightfully pretty Nevill Arms in Medbourne is a pleasant dining pub beside a babbling brook.

Lovers of traditional English ales – both cask and craft – will treasure The Real Ale Classroom in Lutterworth, created by two former schoolteachers. And don’t forget Langton Brewery in Thorpe Langton – a traditional ale brewery with its own shop.

No visit to Harborough District is complete without visiting Welton’s Cafe & Deli and Post Office in Great Bowden, which exudes quintessential English charm. Shortlisted for Local Shop of the Year, it tempts with its homemade cakes, tea, coffee, and delightful lunches – all served within view of the picturesque village green.

But it’s not just traditional English hospitality you’ll find here. There are quintessential British food shops, too. For example, all seafood connoisseurs should visit Hobbs, a family-run fishmonger that has been a beacon of fresh quality in Market Harborough town centre since 1969.

Almost next door to Hobbs, you’ll find The Artisan Butcher, where modern meets traditional. From locally-sourced Tomahawk steak to classic streaky bacon, it’s a destination that satisfies the palate with quality and innovation. And then there’s the local institution that is Joseph Morris Butchers in South Kilworth, established in 1930, which continues to source much of its produce from local farms.

Overall, Harborough District captures the true essence of traditional English food and drink. Here you’ll find beautiful thatched pubs on village greens, olde worlde butchers’ shops and cosy tea rooms galore, alongside a variety of superb restaurants serving modern British cuisine.

So the only question that remains is, where will you begin your journey?