The spot is famed for its cobbled streets, Norman castle and stunning architecture
The town has plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to visit(Image: Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images)
Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow has also earned a global reputation as a premier food and drink destination. With over 500 listed buildings and a skyline dominated by a Norman castle, Ludlow effortlessly blends ancient, storybook charm with a modern appeal.
Winding cobblestone streets lead visitors to delis, bakeries, welcoming pubs and acclaimed restaurants.
Frequently dubbed the “food and drink capital of the Marches”, Ludlow’s thriving hospitality scene is fuelled by its impressive variety of locally sourced produce. In 2024, a Which? Travel survey of more than 9,000 people asked respondents to rate the food and drink in their favourite inland towns and villages.
Ludlow came out on top as the nation’s highest-rated destination for food and drink, standing as the only inland town to achieve a full five stars in that category, reports the Express.
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As Which? Travel put it, “Instead of a handful of high-end eateries, there’s a culture of local produce as well as numerous pubs and cafes, served by people who care about the food.”
This ethos is reflected on every plate, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and menus that change with the seasons.
TripAdvisor currently ranks Old Downton Lodge as Ludlow’s finest restaurant, while waterside favourite CSONS is another beloved choice for relaxed, quality dining, along with Kin Kitchen and The French Pantry for café and bistro-style fare. Pub lovers are spoilt for choice with options including The Queens and The Boot Inn, both of which are highly rated on TripAdvisor.
Experts from Ludlow Distillery note that the town’s food and drink scene benefits greatly from a thriving network of local producers, ranging from artisan cheesemakers and bakers to craft brewers and distillers.
They stated: “The strength of this offering is best seen (and tasted) by a visit to the Local to Ludlow Market in the Castle Square (where growers and makers based within 30 miles of the town sell a range of high-quality and carefully selected produce), and the award-winning Broad Bean fine food delicatessen on Broad Street.”
The town proudly champions ‘Slow Food’, a global grassroots movement with thousands of members worldwide that brings together a love of good food with a commitment to community values.
In recent years, the movement in Ludlow has gone from strength to strength.
Slow Food Ludlow Marches offers activities throughout the year, including visits, talks, demonstrations, meals and Taste Workshops at Ludlow Food Festival in September.
Ludlow Food Festival ranks among the town’s most celebrated annual events, regularly drawing around 15,000 visitors to Ludlow Castle over three days.
Both locals and visitors alike can look forward to the Winter Festival at Ludlow Castle. Taking place between 27 and 29 November 2026, the event showcases local entertainment, mulled wine, and much-loved highlights from the Ludlow Food Festival.
Head along on the second or fourth Thursday of the month to discover the Ludlow Local Produce Market, a vibrant showcase of food and drink made within a 30-mile radius.
The stalls champion sustainability and seasonality, turning an ordinary shopping trip into a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out.
Outside of Shropshire, Wells was named runner-up for inland dining by Which? Travel.
Other destinations receiving recognition include Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire, and Cartmel in Cumbria. Each offers its own distinctive flavour of a foodie escape.