Two Nottinghamshire chippies named a favourite by national food critic

Tom Parker Bowles is a food writer and critic who has dined in more than 5,000 restaurants and written nine books. During his 25 years in the job he has scoured the country, eating not just at the finest eateries, but some of the best fish and chip shops.

"Not so much a dish as national obsession, an integral part of British heritage," he writes in the Daily Mail listing chippies everywhere from London to Aberdeen and Caerphilly to Belfast. Amongst the 37 he has bigged up are two from Nottinghamshire.

"And while everything tastes better with the sea breeze fluttering through one’s hair, a beach or port is not essential. Good fish and chips transcend mere location," he said.

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One of those he mentions is Sea & Earth, which has a branch in Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, and is about to open another in Eastwood. A large cod and chips with mushy peas costs £10.50. A substantial part of the menu is dedicated to vegan alternatives.

Tom said: "This small group now has three branches across the Midlands, but the quality is reliably consistent. Sustainably caught cod or haddock, lovingly battered, knowingly fried and served with proper chips, chipped and rumbled in-house."

The only other chippy on his list in Nottinghamshire, is the Cod's Scallops, in Mansfield Road, Carrington, where cod, chips and mushy peas will set you back £14.40. He said: "Another high-quality mini-chain, The Cod’s Scallop has won numerous awards for its MSC Certified cod, and line-caught haddock, which is always cooked fresh to order. Don’t miss their homemade curry sauce and gravy too."

The most expensive listed was cod and chips for £15.50 at Maggie’s in Hastings, East Sussex, while haddock and chips at the harbourside Fish Shack in Amble, Northumberland will set you back £17.95.

The Gallery in Annalong, County Down, is the cheapest with baked haddock, chips and seasonal vegetables for £4.50.