Neven explores Northumberland cuisine

Neven Maguire will explore the food of Northumberland in this evening's episode of Neven's English Food Tour

Northumberland is the northernmost county in England, renowned for its wild expanse of countryside, and spectacular coastline.

Neven’s first stop is Bamburgh Castle, one of Northumberland’s most famous landmarks. Once the site of a 5th century Celtic fort, the present castle dates back to the 12th century and overlooks sweeping beaches and sand dunes. Neven takes a tour of the castle, including the Victorian King’s Hall, regarded as an architectural masterpiece for its intricate wooden ceiling made with teak from Thailand.

The Blacklion man then calls in to the Potted Lobster restaurant in Bamburgh to meet chef Richard Sim whose passion for using Northumberland ingredients inspires his menu. Northumberland's unspoiled coast makes for abundant, fresh seafood, particularly lobster and crab. The vast areas of countryside mean it's also a region rich in game produce. The Potted Lobster serves up to 250 lobsters per week at peak times, and Neven tries Poached Lobster followed by Teal (a small duck) with Scallops.

Neven’s next stop is the seaside village of Craster, home of the Craster Kipper. Historically, Craster was a major hub of kipper production, but as herring stocks dwindled, the local smokehouses went into decline. However, the last remaining kipper smokehouse in Craster is still thriving and operated by the Robson family. Neven meets owner Neil Robson whose smoke house dates back to 1856. Neil has preserved the traditional craft of smoking herrings by lighting fires made with oak shavings directly under the racks of fish to produce the famous kippers.

The Sidecar Guys offer motorcycle and sidecar tours of the Northumberland coastline, and Neven enjoys a scenic sidecar trip from Cresswell Beach to Warkworth, famous for its 13th century castle. The Sidecar Guys are Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes who hold the Official Guinness World Record for the longest journey by scooter and sidecar, traveling 34,000 miles, through 35 countries and five continents.

After a bracing sidecar journey, it’s time for some hot food and Neven ends this week’s episode at Bertram’s restaurant in Warkworth where he enjoys three seafood dishes: Grilled Sardines with Tomato Chutney and Sourdough, Lemon Sole with Crayfish, and delicious Craster Kippers from his visit to the smoke house earlier.