The South

KENT-‘THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND’-probably has the proudest culinary history in the region, with hops having been grown there for centuries. The county is also home to several vineyards and is an important supplier of much of Britain’s fruit, particularly apples, pears and soft fruits. The National Fruit Collections are housed at Brogdale Farm, Faversham, and farm shops and pick-your-owns are everywhere. Sheep have grazed on the salty Romney Marshes for centuries and a rich variety of seafood is landed off South East shores, including delicious Dover sole and Whitstable oysters. Hampshire is known for its strawberries, watercress, lavender and fine pigs. The New Forest is an important source of furred and feathered game, as well as wild mushrooms. Regional food is less apparent in the affluent Home Counties, but this area has become home to many thriving English vineyards. Cheese-making in Kent is pretty non-existent, but move further west into East and West Sussex and you will find some excellent goats’-, sheep’s- and cows’-milk cheeses.