This is the exact date you should cook your first roast dinner of the year according to data
With Autumn on the horizon and people counting down the days to orange leaves, pumpkin spiced lattes and the first roast of the season, new data has revealed the exact date to start cooking the staple British roast.
Based on weather, seasonal vegetables and events, online butchers Campbells Meat have found that the perfect date to cook your first roast dinner is just 2 weeks away.
Data from cities around the country were used to predict when the first roast of the year might take place based on average temperatures, vegetables in season and seasonal events.
Based on the research, cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester might enjoy their first roast as soon as the weekend of 20th Sept – coinciding with the first day of autumn, and when temperatures are likely to fall into single digits (i.e. less than 10°C).
Other cities, like Cardiff, might enjoy their first roast as late as the weekend of 4th Oct – when temperatures are expected to hit below 10°C, and following events like Cardiff vs. Glasgow Warriors or the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Christmas is the ultimate day for a roast dinner, so based on when much of the UK will start cooking this seasonal dish there are up to 13 weeks prior to perfect your roast ahead of the all important lunch.
| City | Weekend of first roast | Weeks until Christmas |
| Birmingham | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Bristol | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Cardiff | 4-6th Oct | 11 |
| Edinburgh | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Glasgow | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Leeds | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Liverpool | 11-13th Oct | 10 |
| London | 18-20th Oct | 9 |
| Manchester | 20-22nd Sept | 13 |
| Newcastle | 11-13th Oct | 10 |
| Norwich | 25-27th Oct | 8 |
| Nottingham | 11-13th Oct | 10 |
| Sheffield | 18th-20th Oct | 9 |
| Southampton | 4-6th Oct | 11 |
A spokesperson at Campbells Meat said, “There’s something undeniably comforting about a traditional roast dinner. It’s the epitome of hearty, homely cooking—a meal that brings together friends and family around the table during the colder months.
“A traditional roast is something most Brits love and strive to perfect, and with the season quickly coming around we have created the ultimate guide to perfecting every element. From the right cut of meat to the perfect roast potato, our roast dinner guide takes you through every ingredient in a Sunday roast.”
The Campbells Meat guide to roast dinners covers:
- Choosing the Right Meat
- Perfecting Roast Potatoes
- The Role of Vegetables
- Yorkshire Puddings
- Gravy: The Finishing Touch
For more information on the best roast meat to get delivered to your door, check out the Campbells Meat site.
