The Great British 'Bake-cation'

by Laura Cummins | 2 August 2014

From soggy bottoms to perfect buns, the nation is counting down to the return of the Great British Bake Off. To celebrate, HouseTrip, the leading holiday home rental site, has rounded up their favourite bake-cation locations across the UK so that everyone can get a taste of Britain’s baking heritage this summer. From the famous Hovis Gold Hill advert, to the rumours behind how the Eton mess got its name, we’ve sourced the best destinations to visit and sample your favourite pastries, cakes and breads.

Hovis Bread

Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset

The famous Hovis advert was filmed in 1973 on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset and it was a commercial that earned itself a slice of British history. A little known fact is that the advert was filmed by Oscar winning director Ridley Scott. Shaftesbury is the highest town in Dorset, offering stunning views of the Dorset countryside. One of the neighbouring towns, Gillingham, has a rich history that dates back over thousands of years, the town has enjoyed mentions in numerous literary works including the work of Thomas Hardy.

Get a taste

No.3 Powlett Road Central Bath - From £177 per night (sleeps four)

Wookey E64 - From £64 per night (sleeps four)

Bakewell Tart

Bakewell, Derbyshire Dales

The Bakewell Tart is said to have been created after a chef mixed the wrong recipe at the Rutland Arms in the small town of Bakewell in the Derbyshire Dales in England. The tart is made from short crust pastry, filled with a sponge cake filling, a layer of jam and an egg and almond filling which is then topped with white fondant icing and a red cherry. The surrounding area offers the beautiful Chatsworth house, a thrilling cable car ride with amazing views of the Dales, as well as a wealth of other places to visit including historic houses, beautiful gardens, steam railways and a family theme park.

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Knowles House - From £385 per night (sleeps 12)

Appleton Manor Special House - From £208 per night (sleeps 6)

Eccles Cake

Eccles, Greater Manchester

Named after the English town of Eccles, an Eccles cake is a small, round cake filled with currants and made from flaky pastry with butter, sometimes topped with Demerara sugar. The town of Eccles is situated in the City of Salford in Greater Manchester, only 3.7 miles west of Manchester city centre. For Sports mad fans who aren’t Bake-off obsessed, the famous Old Trafford, home to Manchester United football team and Manchester City's football grounds are both nearby.

Get a taste

Luxury Furnished Studio Apartment - From £118 per night (sleeps two)

City Centre Flat – From £119 per night (sleeps four)

Eton Mess

Eton, Berkshire

Eton mess is a traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries, pieces of meringue, and cream, which is traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket game against the pupils of Harrow School. Eton and Windsor have an eclectic mix of history, culture, heritage and fun making it one of South East England’s loveliest short break destinations. Known the world over, Windsor Castle and LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort are ‘must see’ attractions, as well as the infamous Eton College, founded by King Henry VI in 1440 which is teaming with history and an impressive array of former students.

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Luxury Cottage waterfront views - Form £538 per night (Sleeps seven)

Hill Top Farm Lodges - From £121 (Sleeps two)

Kendal Mint Cake

Kendal, Cumbria

Kendal Mint Cake is a confection flavoured with peppermint. It originates from Kendal in Cumbria, England. Kendal Mint Cake is popular among climbers and mountaineers, especially those from the United Kingdom, as a source of energy. The town of Kendal is situated to the South of the Lake District, and only a few miles from the sea, catering to all of the families holiday needs. It boasts plenty of history with two castles, two museums, and a host of historical buildings and bridges to explore.

Get a taste

Golfers Retreat, Kendal, South Lakes - From £77 per night (sleeps four)

The Tack Barn, Kendal - From £57 per night (sleeps two)

Scones

Devon & Dorset, United Kingdom

Contrary to popular opinion, it is thought that scones may well have originated in Scotland, with the first known print reference being in 1513, from a Scottish poet. However, scones are more widely known as a speciality of Devon and Cornwall and are famously offered for sale in tea rooms served with jam and clotted cream across the counties. Both counties are known for their quiet coves, sandy beaches, great wildlife, and rolling countryside offering stunning views and a multitude of places to explore. The Dorset and East Devon Coast, also known as The Jurassic Coast, was the first 'natural' World Heritage Site, it spans 95 miles of dramatic coastline and includes a range of world-renowned fossils of all types.

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Rural Barn Conversion - From £69 per night (sleeps five)

Sea view Maisonette - From £103 per night (sleeps four)

Welsh cakes

Wales, United Kingdom

It doesn’t take a genius to work out where these delicacies herald from! The Welsh cake recipe has been passed down through generations, with some people noting similarities to scones. However, they are smaller, softer and not as dry, but can be known to be eaten with butter, jam or cream. Wales has three beautiful national parks to offer: the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Snowdonia National Park and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Offering a multitude of activities such as hill walking, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing, so there is plenty to keep the family entertained and burn off the calories from too many Welsh cakes. However, if it’s the city atmosphere you crave, Cardiff is the most widely visited area in Wales, offering an 11th century Norman castle and some nearby blue flag beaches.

Get a taste

Cardiff Group Boutique - From £475 per night (Sleeps ten)

Acorn Hedge Cottage - From £48 per night (sleeps four)

Chelsea Buns

Chelsea Borough, London

Chelsea buns originate from the London borough of Chelsea, at the Chelsea Bun House situated near Pimlico in central London. The shop is famous for its visitors such as the author Johnathan Swift and Charles Dickens, who mention the shop in his books Barnaby Rudge and Bleak House. The Chelsea bun is actually one of the few UK cakes to contain a strong cinnamon flavour, the buns are square and made from a deep roll of raisin-spotted dough. The borough of Chelsea is today famous for being home to Chelsea FC, so perfect for the sport mad visitor!

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Chelsea Apartment - From £194 per night (Sleeps six)

Earls Court & Chelsea- From £212 per night (Sleeps four)

Bath buns

Bath, Somerset

Bath buns hail from the spa town of Bath in Somerset, South West of England. The buns date back to 1763 and were baked with the intention of being eaten in the bath. Today the most famous location to get bath buns is at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House and museum, the historic building is one of the oldest houses in Bath. Other recommended places to visit in the city is the well preserved Roman Baths, where visitors can see the Baths and Museum. However, if it’s a dip you fancy why not visit the gorgeous Thermae Bath Spa, which is Britain's only natural thermal spa and offers a roof top natural hot spring, beauty, relaxation treatments and luxury spa facilities.

Get a taste

First Floor Apartment Park St - From £132 per night (Sleeps three)

Daniel St Garden - From £240 per night (Sleeps six)

Oat Cakes

Scotland, United Kingdom

Oat Cakes are seen as a typically Scottish food, and are thought to date a far back as AD 43, maybe even before then. They are traditionally made from oats and are sometimes cooked on a griddle, depending on the recipe. Scotland itself has many wonderful places to visit, the historic capital city of Edinburgh is known for its stunning architecture, its castle and the famous Royal Mile, whilst Glasgow offers the famous works of architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. If it’s countryside you seek why not visit the famous Loch Ness and see if you can spot the monster? Alternatively there is always the beauty of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, a scattering of hundreds of islands and islets off the coasts of Scotland.