Distance no deterrent when it comes to good food

The British are fast becoming a nation of gastro pub addicts, ready to journey well beyond their local if the promise of a good slap-up meal lies at the other end, according to research by Privilege Insurance.

Proving that distance is no deterrent when it comes to our food, Brits claim they'd cover an average nine miles if the right gastro pub lay at the other end. Seventy five per cent say a journey of four or more miles is no problem for food that’s up to it, and half admit their regular good-grub pub is exactly that distance away. Of those that go for a pub meal regularly, almost half (44 per cent) are willing to travel 10 miles to guarantee tasty food at the right price.

While Privilege's research highlighted that one in 10 people go for a pub meal once a week, it also exposed that gastro pubs are missing out on potential customers because they are hidden gems. Just nine percent of road travellers break up their journey with a pub meal - but this isn't because they'd rather tuck into sandwiches while sitting in a car park. For many, it's because, when out on the road, they don't know where the nearest decent gastro pub is.

Two thirds of drivers say they'd stop off to eat at a pub if they knew the location of a good one.

Just over a quarter would even take a detour if the right food was on the menu.

Gill Murphy spokesperson for Privilege Insurance said: "Good food in a pub setting has captured the imagination of the British and our research demonstrates clearly that people are willing to travel some distance for a promising menu. To help them find a good pub wherever they are, we have produced a Gastro Pub Guide, which picks out some of the best pubs in the UK and provides maps showing where they are.”

Privilege Insurance's Gastro Pub Guide can be found at privilege.com. Alternatively, if you're stuck home this summer, why not try your hand at creating your own gastro sensation with a dose of inspiration from Jamie Oliver. His new series, Jamie at Home, which is sponsored by Privilege Insurance, kicks off on Channel 4 on 7 August.