The Ten Best: Fish & chip shops

1 Smith's Ideal Fisheries, 164 Yarborough Road, Grimsby

A family business since 1933, Dave Smith sources the best fish from Grimsby Docks. "We're renowned for our crinkly chips; my dad thought of crinkles and we've stuck to it ever since - we daren't change it now!" he says. Large haddock and chips £2.75, mushy peas 50p.

01472 322 000

2 Rock and Sole Plaice, 47 Endell Street, London WC2

London's oldest fish and chip shop, trading since 1871. "We know how to fry properly," says Ali Ziyaeddin, son of owner Hassain. "We have the skill to use our ingredients to their best." Large haddock and chips, takeaway £6.25, sit down £9, mushy peas £1.20.

www.rockandsoleplaice.com; 020-7836 3785

3 The Famous Mr Chips, Main Street, Kirkby Thore, Penrith

The smallest chip shop, off-licence and general store in the UK. "Our large haddock and chips will feed three people," says owner Stuart Cudlip. "We do proper marrowfat mushy peas, nothing processed." Large haddock and chips £6, mushy peas 75p.

www.mr-chips.net; 01768 361 880

4 Sweeny Codd, 18 Habost, Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis

The last chippie before Canada is a fine exemplar of the punning title. "Our fish and chips are always done to order," says Pam Macsween. Large haddock and chips £4.50, black pudding £2.50.

01851 810 172

5 D Fecci & Sons, Oxford House, Lower Frog St, Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Opened in 1935, Fecci & Sons uses local fish from Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire potatoes. "We use a family recipe that's near enough 80 years old," says Stuart Fecci. Large haddock and chips, takeaway £5.80, sit down £6.50, mushy peas £1.

01834 842 484

6 Chez Fred, 10 Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth

A multiple award-winner where queues stretch down the road. We've been in business 16 years and we've never used cod from the North Sea where there's a problem with stocks," says owner Fred Capel. Large haddock and chips, takeaway £4.50, sit down £6.75, mushy peas 80p. www.chezfred.co.uk; 01202 761 023

7 Brett's Fish Restaurant, 12-14 North Lane, Headingley, Leeds

A favourite with cricket afficionados, Bretts is booked up to a year in advance during Test Matches. "Our fish hits the table within two minutes of being cooked, the chips within one minute," says owner Peter Scott. Large haddock and chips, takeaway £3.55, sit down £8.25, mushy peas 85p.

0113-232 3344

8 Mr Chips, 17 Commercial Road, Hereford, Herefordshire

Holder of the world record for the biggest bag of chips. "Thirty five years of experience is what makes my fish and chips so good," says owner Alan Williams. Jamiroquai, Ant and Dec and Robert Plant have all been in. Large cod and chips £3.65, mushy peas 60p.

01432 275 671

9 Stein's Fish and Chips, Riverside, Padstow, Cornwall

It's impossible to leave out the genial Rick Stein's eponymous chippie. "I've always wanted a fish and chip shop in Padstow, somewhere you can wander in, choose your fish and sit and wait while it cooks," says the man himself. Large haddock and chips, takeaway £5.25, sit down £6.75, mushy peas 50p.

www.rickstein.com; 01841 532 700

10 Ye Olde Mottram, 4 Back Lane, Mottram, Hyde, Cheshire

Ye Olde Mottram has been a chippie since 1902. Lez Brierley uses local potatoes and a secret-recipe batter. "There's only two ingredients, though I'm not saying what they are," says Lez. Large haddock and chips £4.10, mushy peas 70p.

01457 763 894