Favorite staples

You don't need to buy bottled water - just use it from the tap (and save on all those plastic bottles too!)

Bottled water

Get it out of a tap. It’s better quality and doesn’t wreck the planet.

No coffee or tea?

Oooh these are good questions! Some thoughts from me:

-milk- whatever they have in the supermarket, usually get semi skimmed- but I only use it for tea
-cereal- not a big cereal person but when I do have it I recommend Dorset Cereals- https://www.dorsetcereals.co.uk/
-chocolate- might be a bit basic but I love Lindt, which you can get at any supermarket
-bread- any kind of wholemeal seeded bread- Hovis or Warburton's
-savoury biscuits- the biscuits here are generally sweet (like cookies)- I highly recommend both chocolate Hobnobs and chocolate digestives (both by McVittie's)- that is definitely something rare to find in the US
-prepared foods- Covent Garden soups (in the refrigerated section of the supermarket)
-bottled water- I think all the bottled water here is good, I make my own sparkling water at home so don't buy this often but when I do I go for Pellegrino- they don't have any of the bad tasting bottled water here like Dasani or Aquafina
-juice- can't advise on this one as I don't drink juice

Other things- not sure if you get Kerry Gold butter in the US- it's from Ireland- the best butter by far. My favourite tea made in the UK is from Fortnum and Mason's- you will have to go there to get it (main shop on Piccadilly or satellite shop in St Pancras)- in my opinion worth the (small) extra cost. We have lots of great cheeses here- personal favourite is red Leicester or a mature cheddar. And to go with your cheese, Carr's water crackers or, my personal favourite, oatcakes. Walker's are the best but can be hard to get outside of Scotland- in England you can usually find Stockan's.

There are many wonderful local beers and ciders as well if that is something you are interested in.

Regarding bottled water generally- our tap water quality varies greatly depending on where you are. In London, we have very hard water that does not taste good (tho is perfectly safe to drink). I have a filter on my tap at home but I can see why someone may not like it straight out of the tap. The water up north and in Scotland is excellent.

Wasleys and Camborne - thanks!

I’m glad to hear the tap water is fine over there, because it most definitely is not in Florida, lol. It’s not considered healthy enough to do anything other than brush your teeth with - at home, we drink only bottled water because of that, lol

Margie, I honestly hate coffee …iced is ok…and I really only drink tea if I have a bad cold (or if, in UK, I’m having afternoon tea)

I pretty much drink only water, occasionally ginger ale, and orange juice. I love cranberry juice, but because I’m pre-diabetic, I’d need to find a good tasting low-sugar brand

I've been buying McVities digestive biscuits online or from a local import store for 7 years since our last visit. Actually, I preferred the M&S version, but they're less available. Same with various jams, like Tiptree's. Yes, they're available here, and there are Brit shops around that sell that kind of stuff, but as long as you're there, try them out.

Milk is milk. You will find the same varieties. The only difference is that you can get them as small as pints.

Bread......see if there is a bakery nearby rather than buy packaged bread.

Ready meals.....while they do have frozen dinners, you will find something similar but refrigerated rather than frozen. They can be put in the oven or a microwave. (At least most can. You need to read the label.)

It really depends on where you are and in what store you''ll be shopping.

If you're prediabetic you need to stay away from juice. A glass of orange juice has as much sugar as a can of coke.

My suggestion is walk up and down the aisles of your local supermarket looking at what is available.

Cat, this is brilliant - thank you!

Yum, those Dorset cereals look delish!

I’ve never had Hobnobs, but McVitties are sooo good. They actually sell them here in Publix in Florida, for which I’m eternally grateful, lol

Lindt I know is always good. I’ve had Lions bars here -yum! I really want to try Crunchies as I love honeycomb

Ooh, I love soups - will definitely check out Covent Garden

Believe it or not, I hate butter, lol ! I don’t usually drink tea, but I’ll try to lay my hands on some at Fortnum & Mason’s (I love that place; I’m not a shopper at all, but visiting there and having a sundae in their ice cream parlor is a must -do whenever I’m in London

Carr’s water crackers are soo good; I’ll definitely try oatcakes. We get Walker’s shortbread here - possibly oatcakes, but I’ve never checked since I adore shortbread, lol

I’m so excited to try all sorts of English cheeses …I’ve read about Red Leicester on these boards - yum! I love Cheddar - not sure if I’ve had mature one. I’ll just have to sample as much as I can, lol

This was so helpful - thank you!

Your 3 months is going to be such an adventure, and I think discovering new brands and different foods will be part of that. If I were you, I’d go to one of the better supermarkets (I’m a Waitrose girl) and wander the aisles and see what attracts you. Have fun!

Stan, thanks for reminding me of jams, which I love - I’ll look out for Tiptrees!

I’m going to have plenty of time to try all different brands out - can’t wait!

I’ll try and nab some M & S digestive biscuits when I’m in London

Thanks!

Cereal - Weetabix! Break them up in a bowl (like you used to have to do with full-size Shredded Wheat, but Weetabix is different), then add milk, and enjoy! Don’t let it sit too long, or you’ll have cold mush.

Chocolate - Cadbury’s has more variety in the UK than in the U.S., although some Brits have suggested that it’s not as good as it used to be. For another supermarket chocolate, be aware that what the UK sells as “Milky Way” bar is what is the 3 Musketeers bar in the U.S. There’s nougat surrounded by chocolate coating, but no caramel inside.

Other: for potato chips (er., “crisps” in the UK), the “Kettle” brand is sold, with the same logo as in the U.S., but they’re not the same. The chips are like basic Lay’s, without the extra hard “crunch” we expect from Kettle. Actual Lay’s, by the way, are labeled as “Walkers” over there.

For a celebration with bubbly, if you’re interested, the best “champagnes” are now made in England, with climate changes affecting the Champagne region in France. Since only France produces what’s considered true Champagne, ask for English sparkling wine in the UK, and bottoms up!

Cat, London water sounds like Florida water - which is why no one drinks tap water here, lol. It was so different in NY, sigh

I’ll be in Tunbridge Wells for April, so I imagine the tap water won’t be great - maybe rely more on bottled. For May & June, I’ll be in North Yorkshire, so maybe better tap water?

I meant to as I’m my previous response to you that I’m looking forward to trying various ciders!

Thanks!

Milk
- from the supermarket, semi-skimmed
Chocolate
- I like Green & Black’s various bars. Also M&S and Sainsbury’s both do nice large bars of dark chocolate of various percentages.
Savory biscuits
- do you mean like crackers (biscuits for cheese)? I generally think of biscuits as sweet, eg custard creams or hobnobs. You can often get interesting crackers/biscuits for cheese in the supermarket “fancy” ranges.
Prepared foods/frozen foods
Look in the chill cabinet rather than the freezer for the best stuff: again, all the supermarkets have great ranges of microwave meals that can be really nice. Waitrose and M&S are probably my favourites - the ranges change all the time but recently I’ve enjoyed M&S crab linguine and a nice Asian beef noodle dish.
Bottled water
- tap water is fine
Juice (any kind)
- maybe Innocent Smoothies?

The other thing to look out for is supermarket ready-made sandwiches in a bewildering array of flavours and combos. The “meal deal” is a classic lunch for many people: you get a sandwich, a drink and then a snack - either a bag of crisps, a chocolate bar or some fruit - for about £4 or £5. I teach students and every single one of them knows exactly what their favourite “meal deal” is and exactly how to maximise the value!

Look out for M&S, Waitrose, Booths (in the north), then maybe Sainsbury’s and Tescos and just browse the shelves. Prepared meals that you microwave are usually known as “ready meals.” You can often get combo offers, particularly in M&S - say, an Indian main plus bread and a side.

Frank, brilliant tips - thanks!

I forget that I expect to do most of my shopping at the town markets - where no doubt I’ll be able to find what I need. In my research, I’ve found bakeries that I can become regulars at - I honestly just kind of forgot in the frenzy of getting ready, lol

Refrigerated prepared foods is perfect - and I know I’m going to buy pies to reheat..

I don’t drink OJ a lot, but yeah - I need to quit it and just stick to water, lol

Thank you!!

Oh, for cheese, if you’re in London, you must go to Neal’s Yard Dairy. They’re happy to offer samples, and have daily recommendations for what’s good that day. I especially like their shop just outside Borough Market.

• and I know I’m going to buy pies to reheat

Don’t, whatever you do, heat a pork pie. They’re designed to be eaten cold.

If you like cheese, can I recommend a wonderful cheese called Black Bomber - it’s a mature cheddar but has a very slightly creamy feel.

Also, at local food markets, look out for chutney - it’s something we do really well over here.

Amanda, that’s how I’m looking at this - it’s going to be a great adventure!

That’s great advice - I want to be what Rick calls a temporary local, lol….and Waitrose will be part of that

Thank you!

Cyn, Weetabix sounds good! Funny thing is that I like my cereal soggy, lol …but I promise not to let that happen with Weetabix, lol

Looks like I’m going to have to have the hard task of sampling all these chocolates & chips…what a shame, lol

Wow, I didn’t know that about the weather affecting the Champagne region - that’s too bad

I DO love sparkling wine, but I only usually have it in a restaurant as a treat. But you only love once, right?

Thank you!!!!

Golden Girl - this is fantastic, thanks!

I love dark chocolate - they sell Green & Black here, but I’ve never tried. I can’t wait to see the varieties offered.

Oops, yes, lol - I Googled to see what you call crackers, lol - I wasn’t sure if our cracker is the same as yours !

Chill cabinet - got it! I’m looking forward to trying such interesting meals - those really sound delicious!

Oh yum - I love sandwiches, and I’m stoked to try so many interesting kinds. The meal deals sound great - I just can’t keep going out for lunch or dinner, and I wouldn’t want to even if I could afford it

I may end up living primarily off ready meals, lol

Thank you!!!

Cyn, putting it on my list! I LOVE Borough Market, so that’s perfect. I had the most phenomenal grilled cheese sandwich at Kappacasein…

Thanks!!

Golden Girl - oops, thanks! That makes it even easier for me, lol!

Oh my goodness, Black Bomber sounds soo good!

And I love chutney …

I’m going to miss British foods so much when I get home, lol

Thank you!!!

If you buy eggs, don’t be shocked to see them sold from regular shelves.
They are not washed in the UK as N. American ones are, so don’t need to be refrigerated.
They’re straight from the henhouse as is!

Try bacon and sausages too….so much tastier in the UK!

SJ, I wasn’t going to…but now I think I must, lol

So many things seem better in the UK than here, lol

Thanks!

One thing about bacon—if you're looking for bacon that is more like what we have in the US, ask for streaky bacon. If you order regular bacon, it will taste (and look) more like ham.

Also, once you're in Yorkshire, do yourself a treat and head to Booth's, which is a wonderful grocery store with so many good tasting and good quality foods there. It's a bit more expensive but worth it, in my opinion. They have a number of stores—I went to the one in Ripon (near Fountains Abbey). They have good takeaway food, too—both frozen and fresh.

Staples for my 2025 6 week London visit:

Meal deals
Chicken Tikka Masala and their Chicken and sweet corn soup bought at the nearby Sainsburys and heated in the apartment’s microwave
Peanut M & M’s
Tuna and cucumber sandwiches
Sour cream and chive Pringles
Walkers Shortbread

Edit: Bottles of still water.

Mardee, thanks for the tip re: bacon!

My big food obsessions will be sticky toffee pudding, eton mess, honeycomb and basically any dessert, lol

Sunday roasts

Cheese

Probably Chocolate

Cream teas

I may never come home, lol

I believe in one of my other threads that Booth’s came up. There’s one in Settle, which is close to Skipton - I shall make more than one pit stop there, I think. I checked out their website - so many delicious looking foods!

Thank you!!!

Claudia, thank you!

I feel like meal deals are going to be the lifeblood of my stay, lol

Ooh, I love chicken Tikka Masala …I love Indian food, period

I honestly hate having tuna without cucumber!

Sour cream & onion Pringles for the win!

Walkers shortbread is sooo yummy

Re savoury biscuits, which I’m interpreting broadly as savoury snacks - we have a lot of different crisp flavours here to the ones you see in the U.S. that might be fun to taste test! Think prawn cocktail, roast chicken, beef, pickled onion…

For your English sparkling, Nyetimber and Chapel Down are two widely available, quality producers.

Since you’re not a fan of butter, you might instead enjoy the fact that you can buy pots of clotted cream in the supermarket, which you definitely cannot find (last I checked) in the U.S.!

Margaret, I’m still trying to wrap my head around those flavors, lol. I actually Googled Pringles UK to see what flavors they have, and I did see prawn cocktail, lol. I should try those along with roast chicken, beef and onion - make a meal out of those crisps, lol

Noted ! I don’t drink much at all, but why not celebrate occasionally?

Ooh, I love clotted cream sooo much….I once actually did find a jar of same in our local market, and I bought it because I thought I’d try to make my own version of cream tea using English muffins…but the clotted cream was terrible - just firm and devoid of any taste. Mmm, I can taste it now, lol

Thank you so much!!!!

For me chocolate is Cadburys various varieties especially fruit and nut and caramel. It is much better than the US variety.

Prepared meals - Go to M&S. They have lots of things that just need to be heated. They also do boxed meals for 2 which are really good. Each box includes multiple items on the theme such as Chinese, Indian and Thai. Both the Thai and Indian are good. I haven't tried the Chinese. Also you can find uncooked but prepared meats such as marinaded fish and Chicken Kiev. Easy to cook and very good. If you don't want to cook sides, you can get various kinds of potatoes and veggies that just need to be heated. Also, M&S has already prepped stir fry ingredients - pick a sauce, veggie bag, and protein. Easy and quick to cook. Other grocery stores like Sainburys, Waitrose and Tesco will have similar, but M&S generally have more variety.

Specialty items vary depending on your tastes. M&S house brand 5 or 6 year old cheddar is excellent. Wensleydale cheese is very good. Veggies all over can come in prepped bags for easy cooking. Salads the same. M&S orange marmalade is one of my favs and it isn't the overly sweet stuff you find in the US or Canada.

The English like their pastries so find a good bakery. Local butchers are also generally good, but you have to prepare and cook the meat. Local markets are always fun and have lots of fresh produce. English and Irish strawberries are much better than what you get in a US or Canadian grocery store.

I go to the UK frequently and generally cook. It is easy and much cheaper than pubs or restaurants. Also a pint at the local pub before you cook is an excellent way to go.

My big food obsessions will be sticky toffee pudding...

Now you're talking! I always get sticky toffee pudding wherever I am! One of the best ones I had was the pudding served by the Three Crowns Pub in Chagford located in Dartmoor National lPark. It was topped with tiny little bits of Tablet in it. Oh the joy!

Colleen, one Cadbury I’ve been dying to try is Caramilk…I don’t love white chocolate, but caramelized white chocolate is heavenly!

I just happened to Google - there’s a M &S in Tunbridge Wells, my first base (I think there’s one in Skipton, too- my second base). So, I may make that my home because those prepared meals sound delicious and perfect for me.

I feel like cheese is going to be my go-to snack…lucky me that I’ll have access to such a variety. I love raw veggies, and salads ! Ooh, orange marmalade - yum! Everything over here seems so much sweeter than over there, lol

Oh, finding a bakery is a priority - for bread and pastries!

I don’t think I’ll be cooking much, but I know some butchers make good sandwiches, and I know I get pork pies there

I love strawberries - yum!

Not only does it get expensive to keep going out at night, but tiring, too. I’m glad I have so many options

Thank you again!!!!

Yum - that sounds sooo good

I practically did a tasting tour of sticky toffee pudding when I was in Scotland…though I admit I fell in love with Cranachan!

I will need to walk a lot just to walk off all the puddings I’m going to have, lol

Now you're talking! I always get sticky toffee pudding wherever I am! One of the best ones I had was the pudding served by the Three Crowns Pub in Chagford located in Dartmoor National lPark. It was topped with tiny little bits of Tablet in it. Oh the joy
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Oh, I do love Cranachan (and Eton Mess)! You have good tastes in desserts!

One Cadbury I’ve been dying to try is Caramilk…I don’t love white chocolate, but caramelized white chocolate is heavenly!

Both Sainsbury’s and M&S do an own brand “blonde chocolate,” which is caramelised white chocolate, and I prefer them to Caramilk.

On the matter of oatcakes I've just been in my local Morrisons and suddenly came to a halt when passing that shelf, as I suddenly thought of this. I'm in Hicksville in the north of England, but even my store had 6 different types of oatcakes today- Rough, Fine Milled, Cheese, Fruit and Seed, Super Seeded and Marmite & Cheese.
These among shelves and shelves of savoury biscuits.
Carrs by the way are a very old Cumbrian company (although now part of the larger McVities/United Biscuits Group). And my Morrisons had three different types of their table water biscuits in today.
Their factory (which has been flooded out twice in this century) is in Carlisle (on a very busy roundabout where you need eyes in the back of your head), but there is a rather good factory shop at the factory gates. Originally they made bread by day and biscuits by night.

The M and S in Skipton is a Simply Food branch- where they just sell food (not clothes or toiletries). But Harrogate has a bigger branch, as well as another Simply Food branch.

I’ve just treated myself to a Big Shop in M&S instead of Sainsbury’s and have come home with two different types of really good pork sausages, Indian “gunpower” potatoes, Kolkata-style paneer, German rye bread, a selection of nice cheeses and some fancy salads.

I shouldn’t read threads like this before going shopping.

Beyond such basics, the things that I love in Britain are
Fish and Chips
Meat Pies
Bangles and Mash
English Breakfasts

There’s a Booths in Ilkley as well as Settle and that’s a bit nearer Skipton. It’s a pity that you’re not coming over to the more enlightened part if the north, in Lancashire, where they are all over the place. Clitheroe is almost as near as Settle to you and that’s a great spot both to visit and to food shop. It has the Bowland Food Hall, the Bowland Brewery and one of the great wine shops, D Byrne & Co.

so much temptation for diabetic or pre-

If buying cheese in supermarkets it often has a number from 1 to about 8 on it which denotes sharpness and flavour. 1 for Mozzarella, cottage cheese, fresh cheddar, etc, 8 for a very mature cheddar or Stilton.

I was just down the road from Stilton today, in a traditional butchers in Brampton, the home in the 1660s of the diarist Samuel Pepys. Bought award winning pies for a potluck tonight - Steak and Stilton and Steak and Ale, and had to have a hand raised pork pie for myself. They are so good, make everything the same day, no wonder they have won so many awards - Measures Butchers.

Waitrose and Tesco both do a good range of Continental cheeses as well as good old British, and a nice range of pre-grated cheeses to help in the kitchen. Waitrose also do a seasonal cheese board in a box with a good variety of cheeses. May be out of stock when you are looking, or you might luck out.

Desserts are my life!

I LOVE meringue - so any dessert with meringue in it has got to be good, lol. Add fresh fruit, and it’s perfect!

The first time I had Cranachan was in ice cream - in Scotland. Oh my goodness, I’ve never had anything like it. I want so badly to be able to get to Edinburgh from North Yorkshire - in part because I need to have Cranachan again, lol. Not just for that…I really want to spend time there, even a day. When I was there, it was after my 5 day Highland tour, and I was tired. I just feel I didn’t really have the energy to explore properly. I’ve done the Castle, so I wouldn’t need to do that

A day trip really makes no sense…but overnight or even 2 nights would….if I can find an inexpensive hotel. I

Oh, I do love Cranachan (and Eton Mess)! You have good tastes in desserts!
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Ooh, yum - I’ll definitely try those out !

Thanks!!!

Both Sainsbury’s and M&S do an own brand “blonde chocolate,” which is caramelised white chocolate, and I prefer them to Caramilk.
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Stuart, I’ll have to try all of them …yum!

I actually love plain Carr’s, but their cracked pepper is delicious!

Food is pretty much all I’d need, so the branch I’m Skipton is fine…I wasn’t planning to visit Harrogate, but I might as well since it’s so close…& if I do, I’d certainly pop into the M & S!

Golden Girl, oh man - I’m drooling now, because I love Indian food!

German rye bread sounds yummy - as long as it doesn’t have caraway seeds, lol

I’ve just treated myself to a Big Shop in M&S instead of Sainsbury’s and have come home with two different types of really good pork sausages, Indian “gunpower” potatoes, Kolkata-style paneer, German rye bread, a selection of nice cheeses and some fancy salads.
I shouldn’t read threads like this before going shopping
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Geova, I also love fish & chips - I’m going to eat. Lot of it, lol

I already know I love meat pies before trying them, lol

Mash - for sure. I don’t really eat sausages, but I feel like sausages in the UK are much better

Beyond such basics, the things that I love in Britain are
Fish and Chips
Meat Pies
Bangles and Mash
English Breakfasts
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John, that’s the Booth’s I’d most likely go to.

Even with 3 months in the UK, it’s just never going to be enough, lol

Ooh, I need to check Clitheroe out; is it easy to get to from Skipton

Thanks’

There’s a Booths in Ilkley as well as Settle and that’s a bit nearer Skipton. It’s a pity that you’re not coming over to the more enlightened part if the north, in Lancashire, where they are all over the place. Clitheroe is almost as near as Settle to you and that’s a great spot both to visit and to food shop. It has the Bowland Food Hall, the Bowland Brewery and one of the great wine shops, D Byrne &
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Nigel, it’s unfair, lol

OMG, they sound soooo good. I’ll be on the lookout for butchers where I can buy similar - I just know I’m going to be addicted to them even though I haven’t tried any yet, lol

Here’s hoping luck is on my side! But I’ll be eating tons of yummy cheeses regardless, so lucky me!

Thanks!

so much temptation for diabetic or pre-
If buying cheese in supermarkets it often has a number 1-about 8 on it which denotes sharpness and flavour. 1 for Mozzarella, cottage cheese, fresh cheddar, etc, 8 for a very mature cheddar or Stilton.
I was just down the road from Stilton today, in a traditional butchers in Brampton, the home in the 1660s of the diarist Samuel Pepys. Bought award winning pies for a potluck tonight - Steak and Stilton and Steak and Ale, and had to have a hand raised pork pie for myself. They are so good, make everything the same day, no wonder they have won so many awards - Measures Butchers.
Waitrose and Tesco both do a good range of Continental cheeses as well as good old British, and a nice range of pre-grated cheeses to help in the kitchen. Waitrose also do a seasonal cheese board in a box with a good variety of cheeses. May be out of stock when you are looking, or you might luck out.
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Clitheroe is 55 minutes from Skipton on the hourly #280 bus heading for Preston.

On a Saturday you can also get there from Skipton by train twice a day, changing at Hellifield. If you have time look at the Shed 24H tearooms on the station.

Stuart, thank you!!!

Clitheroe is 55 minutes from Skipton on the hourly #280 bus heading for Preston.
On a Saturday you can also get there from Skipton by train twice a day, changing at Hellifield. If you have time look at the Shed 24H tearooms on the station.
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Since the topic of Scottish desserts has been raised- have you tried banoffee pie? One of the greatest desserts in existence... readily available in Scotland and sometimes in England, too.

Cat, I’m dying to try it ! Oh my god, photos of it look insane! I don’t recall seeing it on menus in Scotland - maybe it’s a cold weather dessert? I was there in June..

I’ll keep an eye out for it in England, too …I can just taste it now….yum. Damn, the British have the most incredible desserts!

Since the topic of Scottish desserts has been raised- have you tried banoffee pie? One of the greatest desserts in existence... readily available in Scotland and sometimes in England, too.
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If you make it to Edinburgh on this trip, I suggest trying the banoffee pie at Howie's! And other food as well- when we lived there this was on our regular restaurant rotation and still is when we go back. They have a few locations.
https://www.howies.uk.com/

(Sorry for going off topic on the England forum!)

Betsy,

At least in the North of England you can get Banoffee Pie in the frozen section in any Tesco or Morrisons. And most Morrisons in my part of the world often have little individual Banoffee Pies in the chilled cream cakes fridge.
Morrisons in the frozen section also have a frozen S'Mores Brownie at the moment. OK I'll grant you it's not real authentic S'Mores but it's the next best thing and insanely good.
And in the chilled section at Morrisons they have individual cream Sundaes- Strawberry, Black Cherry and Profiterole this morning- with lashings of cream.
If you make it to Clitheroe do try a Lancashire Hot pot- it's so regional it differs across Lancashire. I went to a meeting in Chorley eighteen months ago with someone from Clitheroe. And at lunchtime between morning and afternoon sessions we had Lancashire Hot Pot at Chorley Market (Hot Pot as I know it from Manchester) and she said that's nothing like it is in Clitheroe. Friendly rivalry.
If we'd known the mountainous cream/afternoon tea we were going to get later at the meeting we'd have foregone the hot pot.
Last summer when I went to York Racecourse for the same meeting I was forewarned and forearmed about the afternoon tea.

Cat, I am - 2 nights, and with the very long days in June, even on departure day, I’ll have a nice chunk of time

It’s funny, because I literally just decided I’m going to make Howie’s one of my 2 dinner places…the menu is terrific, but yeah - that banoffee pie looks amazing !

Thanks!

If you make it to Edinburgh on this trip, I suggest trying the banoffee pie at Howie's! And other food as well- when we lived there this was on our regular restaurant rotation and still is when we go back. They have a few locations.
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when you are shopping for milk in the supermarkets you can be confused by the coloured labels and bottle tops. Most use coloured bottle tops but some are moving to clear tops and coloured labels for easier recycling.

Red top, what I buy, is skim, up to 1/2 a percent fat.

Green top is semi-skimmed, up to 5 percent

Blue is whole milk.

By the way, the way milk is bottled is interesting - milk from the cow is completely skimmed at the dairy, then fat added back at the various levels, then bottled.

@Nigel. In the US whole milk is 3.25% fat, so that's a pretty significant difference.

Regarding milk, labels for ours in the U.S. are colored red for Whole, and blue for Fat Free. The term “Skim” got changed years ago to “Fat Free.”

Two countries separated by the same language, but by dairy product packaging, too.

thanks for the correction...

Thanks , all, for the info!

No skim milk for me, lol - only whole or semi…

My wife claims that British porridge is the best oatmeal on the planet. As for me, I tend to shop at Marks & Sparks for all my food when in the UK. But I'd also say that, upon leaving the UK for the Continent, I'm more excited about food options.