BMW Good Food Ride Website Winner April '07

Essex is a much maligned county- you'd think from the negative publicity that any drive you dared to undertake in the county would involve being forced off the road by souped-up Ford Capris. And as for restaurants, you'd need a strong stomach to tolerate all those jellied eels.

Not so. For this is the county which brought you Saint Jamie (Oliver), Tiptree jams and the Delia- lauded Maldon salt. With one of the longest coastlines of any English counties- nearly 400 miles- a drive encompassing the variety of waterside restaurants, cafes and coffee shops seems logical. However, although this journey will take you from Southend in the south to Harwich in the north, there is also a river and a reservoir to experience on the way. Start off at the famous Leigh-on-Sea cockle sheds, where yes, you can stock up on those eels, but also the freshest prawns, whelks and cockles you'll ever taste. Head down the A127 towards Southend, take the A13 at Rayleigh Weir heading east to Leigh-on-Sea -and park behind Leigh Station. Walk down to Osborne Bros on Billet Wharf (Billet Wharf, High Street, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 2ER; 01702 477233 www.osbornebros.co.uk) You can stroll along the cobbles and watch the morning catch come in on the cockle boats.

Next, head north towards Chelmsford along the A130 to another stretch of water-Hanningfield Reservoir (Café on the Water, Gifford's Lane, Hanningfield 01268 711 571). Turn off at A132 to Rettendon, following signs to the reservoir on Hawkswood Road. The entrance to the reservoir and nature reserve is opposite Crowsheath Lane. You can sit on the decking outside the visitors centre drinking coffee and sharing cakes whilst watching fishermen trying their luck for trout on one of the boats, or even walk the nature trail. When the sun is shining, the water sparkles like a Swedish lake, surrounded by trees and a variety of birds.

Now for lunch. Drive to Chelmsford back along the A130. On arrival in the town- coming in on the A1114, take the first roundabout on Parkway and follow the directions for the Baddow Road car park. Muddy Waters (River Can, Kings Head Walk, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0HL; 01245 348077 www.muddywaters.co.uk) is a floating canal boat restaurant moored on the River Can in the heart of Chelmsford. There is a superb lunch menu which includes dishes such as sherry marinated guinea fowl or black olive gnocchi. This is a unique dining experience- intimate and cosy- in an unusually tranquil location.

Finally, set off from Chelmsford towards the north-bound A12. Taking a right turn at B1023, you can drive through Tiptree (maybe stopping to buy some of that jam!), past Colchester Zoo, then rejoin the A12 at Colchester. Head east on A120 to the port of Harwich. On the Quay in the heart of old Harwich, with splendid views of the Stour and Orwell estuaries you will find The Pier (The Quay, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3HH; 01255 241212; www.the-pier-hotel.co.uk) which combines two historic properties and offers a choice of two quality restaurants with fishing boats bobbing directly outside. The Halfpenny Pier downstairs is more informal, serving legendary fish and chip meals, whilst upstairs the Harbourside Restaurant has stunning views across the water, within a more formal setting.

This drive has been created by competition winner Caroline Picking from Chelmsford.

BMW Good Food Ride Website Winner January '07

This tour, right in the middle of England, provides a healthy, hearty and historical experience. The drive will take you through a market, a country house, a school, a farm and finish off in a pub allowing you to enjoy all the different culinary delights on offer.

You'll have to start early to catch the best local free-range/organic eggs from the Broody Hen Farm stall at the Daventry Farmers' Market (on the first Saturday of every month in the town centre). After you've filled your boots with the wonderful selection of apple juice, honey, local beef and maybe even treated yourself to a pork-sandwich from the spit-roasted pig, drive Northwards (via the ring road) towards Kilsby and pick-up the A5 signposted Hinckley, Leicestershire.

If you are fortunate enough to be enjoying this journey in the Summer, you should definitely take this rare opportunity to visit Althorp House (situated 7 miles west of Northampton, off the A428), in the small, picturesque village of Great Brington. Althorp House (Althorp, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN7 4HQ; 01604 770107; www.althorp.com) has been home to the Spencer family for hundreds of years and Princess Diana is buried here. Although the Princess is buried on a small inaccessible island in the centre of a lake within the grounds there is a marvellous and quite touching exhibition of Diana's life and work open to the public. On a warm sunny day it's most definitely the best place to sit under a shady old oak tree, and enjoy a peaceful picnic or visit the café for a quintessential English cuppa.

Next, head West (take the A428 from the M1 or A5) towards the market town of Rugby, where, legend has it, the game of Rugby began when William Webb Ellis in 1823 'showed fine disregard for the rules of football, by picking up the ball and running with it'. The fictitious 'Tom Brown's School Days' was based on the famous Thomas Arnold's Rugby School (walking-tours available at weekends). Nearby, a quaint recently restored vegetarian café 'Summersaults' (27 High St, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3BW; 01788 543223), serves the best coffees, organic smoothies and home-made cakes in town. It was originally a 19th Century 'Boots Chemist' and is architecturally unique. Round the corner, an excellent delicatessen 'Vanilla' (16 Albert St, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2RS; 01788 573303), stocks the finest selection of olives you will see for miles around!

Head East on the A426 towards the market town of Lutterworth which was the base for Sir Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine during World War II. If you have time, you should turn left off the A426 for the small organic farm-shop in the village of Cotesbach. This sells the best organic porridge oats I have tasted! When you have reached Lutterworth, there is a butchers on the right-hand side of the main road (just before the main square) called Chapman's (11 High St, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4AT; 01455 552641) where you can buy award-winning hand-made sausages - try the Hot Mexican Chilli ones, they're wonderful! When you've finished wandering round the interesting independent shops of Lutterworth, continue your drive North via the A426, turning left into the village of Bruntingthorpe. Car and aircraft enthusiasts will know Bruntingthorpe is famous for its vehicle proving ground (previously an airstrip) now home to a restored Vulcan aircraft. At the village centre, turn left for the Joiners Arms (Church Walk, Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 5QH; 0116 247 8258), acknowledged by many reputable guides. Here you will enjoy excellent service and good quality honest food not to mention Chef-proprietor Stephen Fitzpatrick's fishcakes, by far the best in the world!

This drive has been created by competition winner Ursula Edgington from Nottingham.