North-west England

In England's north-west region you'll find lakes and mountains, castles, dramatic coastlines and impressive national parks. The region also has a long and varied agricultural and industrial history, which has resulted in a rich culinary heritage.

Traditional foods

Traditional dishes of the north-west were often based on economical ingredients to produce cheap but tasty dishes that would keep hard-working families well fed in the cold climate. Although the north-east counties have several large manufacturing towns, large areas of land are given over to farm land with cattle grazing on the lowland pastures and hardy breeds of sheep in the hills such as the North Country Mule, a cross-breed common in Cumbria.

Think Cumbria and the coiled Cumberland sausage probably comes to mind as its most recognised dish - or possibly Cumberland sauce made with redcurrant jelly and usually served cold with gammon, game or other meats. Lancashire can lay claim to Lancashire hotpot, a layered stew of lamb, potatoes and onions, very similar to Irish stew. Although quite a few northern counties lay claim to pan haggerty, it's traditionally made with Lancashire cheese.

Local produce

The north-west has an abundance of traditional cakes and pastries from Eccles cakes to gingerbread, and Lancashire was the birthplace of all manner of confectionery, including treacle toffee.

As well as traditional regional products such as Morecambe Bay shrimps, Lancashire cheese (meltingly delicious) and Cheshire cheeses (dating from the 12th century, one of the oldest of all English cheeses) and black puddings, the north-west also has a growing band of dedicated specialist producers. From Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside come a wonderful selection of speciality foods, including smoked fish and meats, traditionally prepared bacons, hams and sausages, breads and cakes, ales, cheeses, yogurts, mustards, pickles and ice cream.

Regional dishes

The counties have had great support from North West Fine Foods, the regional association for producers of speciality food and drink. It has more than 70 members from Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. In terms of success stories, a name that most people will have heard of is The Village Bakery in Cumbria, whose award-winning organic baked goods have spread to most shops around the UK.

Bob Baxter's family has been potting shrimps for 200 years. He's the sixth generation of the James Baxter & Son company in Morecambe, Lancashire, which sends its products around the UK and the world. Based in Baxendale, Lancashire, Holland's Pies was founded by John Whitaker in 1851. Holland's has been producing traditional pies, puddings and pasties for 150 years and employs 550 people, producing roughly 1.5 million pies a week. Delia Smith is a fan and stocks Holland's Pies at her beloved Norwich City Football Club.