'I've visited 120 fish and chip shops across the UK - these are the 5 best'

A chippy fan who spent more than a year visiting 120 fish and chip shops across the UK has revealed his top five. Stephen Peel, 62, has been eating at two fish and chip shops a week for the last 15 months in his quest to find the nation’s best chippies.

He started his ‘Chippy Tour’ to celebrate the iconic meal which he says the country is in danger of losing as many are being forced to close due to high costs. On his tour Stephen has been rating chippies out of five with the whole experience including customer service, cleanliness, presentation, alongside the grub.

Green Lane Chippy in Leigh, Lancs, is his favourite so far followed by The Old Forge Cafe in Bugle, Cornwall. Stephen, from Penketh, Warrington, said: “I've tried quite a lot of chippies so far on this journey but it has never gotten old - I still look forward to eating them every single time. I just love a good old traditional fish and chips - there is nothing that beats it for me.”

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He added: “There’s a lot that goes into getting a five star review - I also put a lot of pride into giving them. All aspects of the experience affect the score - for instance how friendly the staff are as for me manners are important.

“How the shop is presented is also something I look out for too as I want to feel comfortable and welcome when I'm inside. Also those who sell other meals, like kebabs and pizzas. If the love for fish and chips doesn’t come first then it may affect the score.

“I'm sharing the joy and the history of these iconic places - I want to do it right.”

Stephen says to score a five it has to be so good that people won't be disappointed if they travel to visit it.

He said the chippy prices vary up and down the country: “On average nationwide it costs around £10 for a meal - up north it is a little bit cheaper as you normally pay £8 in my experience. But further down south you are looking to pay double the northern price.”

Stephen started the journey in February last year after his wife’s barbers shop was forced to close after being “drowned out” by newer businesses.

He said: “It got me thinking, this surely can't be the only business being affected. Fish and chips has always been my favourite since I was a lad.

“Soon enough I found out that their numbers had decreased massively over the last 30 years from 30,000 to around 10,000. It has become increasingly difficult for them to stay open with the rising prices.

“So I started The Chippy Tour to celebrate the iconic dish and to try my best to keep the buzz of having a chippy alive.”

He has visited the cheapest chippy in the UK, Mathews Chippy in Grimsby, Yorks, with his meal costing £3 - which he said was worth “a lot more” than the asking price.

Describing the perfect portion he said: “There is a freshness to the fish with no discolouration - for me it doesn't matter if it is cod or haddock. I have no preference on the colour of the batter but as long as it isn't soggy underneath you are all good.

“It has to look fresh and clean - when you break open the batter there should be a sweet earthy smell. For the chips you are looking for the light golden colour.

“They need to be a little plump while crispy on the outside but not too firm in the middle but also not too overly soft - you are looking for the sweet spot.

“Finally I prefer it to cooked in beef dripping and not seeded oil - the flavours are much better this way.”

Stephen’s top five UK chippies:

• 1st: Green Lane Chippy - Leigh, Lancashire
• 2nd: The Old Forge Cafe - Bugle, Cornwall
• 3rd: Charlie's of Mobberley - Mobberley, Cheshire
• 4th: George A. Green Fisheries - Wakefield, Yorkshire
• 5th: Hennighan's, Machynlleth, Wales