The historic market town earned five stars for food quality in a Which? Travel survey and has been celebrated as the ‘food and drink capital of the Marches’
The pretty market town with the UK’s best food known as the ‘loveliest town in England’(Image: Getty)
Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow has also earned global recognition as a culinary and beverage hotspot. Boasting over 500 listed buildings and a skyline crowned by a Norman castle, Ludlow blends historic fairy-tale character with contemporary allure.
Winding cobbled lanes guide visitors to delicatessens, artisan bakeries, welcoming pubs, and celebrated eateries. Frequently dubbed the ‘ food and drink capital of the Marches’, Ludlow’s hospitality sector flourishes thanks to its abundant locally-sourced offerings.
A Which? Travel poll of over 9,000 participants asked respondents to evaluate the culinary credentials of their preferred inland destinations.
Ludlow emerged victorious as the country’s top-rated food and drink location. It stood alone as the sole inland town achieving a perfect five-star rating for cuisine, reports the Express.
As Which? Travel observed, “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 philosophy translates directly onto diners’ plates, emphasising fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and seasonally-rotating menus.
TripAdvisor presently places Old Downton Lodge at the summit of Ludlow’s restaurant rankings. Waterside favourite CSONS represents another cherished destination for laid-back, high-quality dining, alongside Kin Kitchen and Baker’s of Tower Street for casual cafe-style fare.
Pub enthusiasts face an embarrassment of riches with The Queens and The Boot Inn, both receiving strong ratings on TripAdvisor. Experts from Ludlow Distillery highlight that the town’s gastronomic reputation rests upon a robust network of food and beverage producers, encompassing everything from artisan cheese and bread makers to craft breweries and distilleries.
They explained: “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.”
Ludlow has embraced the ‘Slow Food’ philosophy, a worldwide grassroots initiative with thousands of supporters globally that connects culinary enjoyment with community engagement.
In recent years, the Ludlow branch of this movement has flourished considerably. Slow Food Ludlow Marches provides year-round activities, featuring site visits, presentations, cookery demonstrations, dining experiences and Taste Workshops during the Ludlow Food Festival each September.
The Ludlow Food Festival stands as one of the town’s premier annual occasions, consistently attracting approximately 15,000 people to Ludlow Castle across a three-day period.
Plan your trip for either the second or fourth Thursday of each month to explore the Ludlow Local Produce Market, which celebrates food and beverages crafted within a 30-mile radius.
Vendors prioritise sustainability and seasonal offerings, transforming an ordinary shopping trip into a delightful culinary experience.
Looking beyond Shropshire, Wells secured the runner-up position for inland dining according to Which? Travel.
Additional accolades went to Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire and Cartmel in Cumbria, with each destination providing its own distinctive gastronomic getaway.