There’s no shame in the chippy this Valentine’s

The day of love is fast approaching. What better way to mark that auspicious day than to take your better half out for a slap up…chippy.

These aren’t ordinary chippies, oh no no. The ten below are the best in the country. They’re chip shop delis that have upped the culinary ante. Gone are the days of the haddock or cod options of old now we have new choices of cole, hake and salmon to tempt us. Fish and chips, the backbone of British cuisines, is going through a renaissance.

1. The Townhead Cafe - 185 High Street, Biggar, ML12 6DJ - This stellar establishment was recently announced as Scotland’s number one chip shop. I’ve actually been here; there was a queue around the harbour and you could choose from Pollok, Lemon Sole, Haddock and Hake. Certainly a cut above your average chipper. The flesh melted off the bone.  All their fish are sourced from sustainable waters off Shetland so everything tastes extra nice.
2. Taylors Fish and Chips 66 Tylacelyn Road, Pennygraig, Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, CF40 1JU T. These guys are the best of the welsh chip shop contingent. They specialise in the four favourites; cod, plaice, haddock and scampi. Their cod is also available “steamed with lemon”.
3. Tommy’s Fish and Chips (Ballykelly, Northern Ireland) has been a local favourite for over 40 years.  The cafe has been a firm favourite with the English, Welsh and Scottish soldiers who were stationed in nearby Balkenny and frequented the Cafe during World War Two. Their specialities are Pollack and Coley as well the classic cod and chips.
4. Colman’s of South Shields, Tyne and Wear (182-186 Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2JQ) are next on the fish and chip count down. The family run business have been serving up fish and chips to the folk of Tyne and Wear for more than 100 years. During that time they’ve won the accolade of best frier in the North-East of England. They serve all the traditional favourites like quality cod and haddock as well as a daily changing special of the day.
5. Seniors, 91 Fleetwood Road North, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 4AB. These guys are the champions of the North-East of England. They have some fantastic local views and over 13 varieties of fish including Pollock, John Dory, Coley and Hake. Their very eco-conscious with their bio-degradable packaging.
6. Andy’s Fish Bar 53-55 Market Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9PR. In January this year they went to London to pick up their award for being the best chip shop in England. They have the newest species like Hake and Coley as well as cod and haddock with chips.
7. The Boundary, 64 High Street, Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, PE6 8EB. These guys benefit from having a 40 seater patio that’s just as popular with out-of-towners as it is with the locals. Owner, Blair Butler has cooking in his blood and has made a name for himself in the industry.
8. McDermott’s Fish  & Chips, 6 Forestdale Centre, Featherbed Lane, Addington, Croydon. This one has the famous take away along with the up-market restaurant above. The minimal decor, uplighting and professional waiting staff give the place the feel of a professional restaurant.
9. Broughton Fish & Chips, 81 Tanfield Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK10 9N. This place has only been open a year but its already made a name for itself as the best fish and chip shop in Central and Southern England. They’re only a mile away from the M1 motorway so they’re in the perfect location to take advantage as word spreads about their success.
10. Hanbury’s Fish & Chips, Princess street, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LW. This take away/restaurant has a wide selection of new favourites on the menu including lemon sole, brill, monkfish and gurnard. They’re also inclined to include seasonal favorites.