[Pumpkin-Kat]

I'm new to allotments, and have only grown a few vegetables in the garden before. I am keen to grow some main crop potatoes. Personally I prefer the ones with thicker brown skins for jacket spuds.
  The supermarket potatoes described as baking, just don't have nice skins that go crispy. Can anyone tell me which are the best brown skinned variety to grow?

[Kristen]

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but flavour is very subjective, so I recommend that you get a few seed potatoes of each of several varieties and do a trial to see which you and your family prefer.  You should be able to buy seed potatoes loose from your local garden centre, or from Potato Days locally, which should have far more varieties to choose from

I've not seen a good site for Potato Days events right across the country?? so probably best to Google for one near you.

[Kristen]

P.S. Does your allotment association have a "shop"? They often sell discounted seed potatoes and might have several varieties for you to try.

[snowdrops]

Have a look at Garden organic, you might have missed their potato day but they might still have some left & I bought a couple of booklets from them on potatoes. Alan Romans was once thought of the authority on potatoes,don't know if that is the same now.

[mumofstig]

Alan Romans was bought out by T&M 

[snowdrops]

Oh I didn't know that, I found my booklets & it did say Alan Romans, T & M. I shall have a look to see what varieties fit the bill for the OP

[Pumpkin-Kat]

Thank you I will have a look, it will probably just be a case of trying acouple of varieties and see which we like best.
My plot is in a village, and there are only 9 plots, there isn't even an association let alone a shop. The other plot holders have all been lovely, and very helpful though. x

[DD.]

May I suggest Ambo or Amour if you can get them locally. They're not a variety that DIY shops etc. stock. They produce a good quantity of baking sized spuds.

[Pumpkin-Kat]

Thank you DD I will look out for those

[tangojulie]

I usually grow Picasso, not an outstanding flavour but good enough. They are nice for baking and the yield is huge.

[SusieB]

And maybe try a few 1st earlies as well.  They are the ones that benefit from cooking and eating straight after picking.  So you can't get comparable from a shop.