loveliest

The UK’s best food and drink can be found in a market town that’s been dubbed the ‘loveliest town in England’ – and it’s not where you’d expect but has grown in popularity over the years

Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow is also globally recognised for its food and drink scene.

With over 500 listed buildings and a skyline dominated by a Norman castle, Ludlow combines ancient charm with modern appeal, cobbled streets lead to delis, bakeries, cosy pubs and renowned restaurants.

Often referred to as the ‘food and drink capital of the Marches’, Ludlow’s hospitality industry thrives due to its diverse local produce. In 2024, a Which? Travel survey of more than 9,000 people asked participants to rate the food and drink in their favourite inland towns and villages.

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Ludlow triumphed as the nation’s top-rated food and drink destination. It was the only inland town to secure a full five stars for food, reports the Express.

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 the plate, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and menus that change with the seasons. TripAdvisor currently ranks Old Downton Lodge as Ludlow’s best restaurant.

Riverside favourite CSONS is another beloved spot for relaxed, quality dining, along with Kin Kitchen and The French Pantry for cafe and bistro-style dining.

Pub lovers are spoilt for choice with establishments including The Queens and The Boot Inn, both receiving rave reviews on TripAdvisor.

Experts from Ludlow Distillery note that the town’s culinary scene thrives thanks to a strong network of food and drink producers, ranging from specialist cheesemakers and bakers to craft brewers and distillers.

They said: “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 embraces ‘Slow Food’, a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members worldwide that links gastronomic pleasure with community commitment. Over recent years, the initiative in Ludlow has grown substantially.

Slow Food Ludlow Marches offers year-round events, including visits, talks, demonstrations, meals and Taste Workshops at Ludlow Food Festival in September.

Ludlow Food Festival remains one of the town’s biggest annual events, regularly drawing around 15,000 visitors to Ludlow Castle over three days.

While it has finished for 2025, locals and tourists can look forward to the Winter Festival at Ludlow Castle. Scheduled to take place from 28th to 30th November 2025, the event will showcase local entertainment, mulled wine, and popular favourites from the Ludlow Food Festival.

To make the most of your visit, plan it for the second or fourth Thursday of the month when the Ludlow Local Produce Market is held, featuring food and drink produced within a 30-mile radius.

The stalls emphasise sustainability and seasonality, turning an ordinary shopping trip into a delightful afternoon outing. Beyond Shropshire, Wells was named as the runner-up for inland dining by Which? Travel.

Other places that received accolades include Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire, and Cartmel in Cumbria. Each offers a unique flavour of a gastronomic getaway.

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The picture-perfect village of Beddgelert in the heart of Eryri/Snowdonia National Park is a hidden gem that’s well worth a visit – and it’s even home to some Welsh myths and legends

Tucked away within the stunning Eryri/Snowdonia National Park sits the enchanting village of Beddgelert.

Whilst countless tourists speed past en route to conquer Mount Snowdon, this postcard-perfect settlement deserves a proper visit.

Embraced by sweeping emerald valleys, meandering waterways and framed by towering peaks, Beddgelert conceals centuries of fascinating heritage and serves as home to captivating Welsh folklore.

The stone-constructed village spans a gurgling brook and serves as an ideal base for discovering the area’s walking routes and pathways, from the Aberglaslyn Pass southward, Nant Gwyan eastward, or tackling Snowdon northward.

The Beddgelert website emphasises the local landscape shouldn’t be overlooked, saying: “Wooded vales, rocky slopes and mountain lakes fill the surrounding countryside.”, reports the Express.

“And what a countryside it is, with scenery, activities, attractions, history and culture for all.”

Welsh tourism specialists confirm “everyone loves Beddgelert”, with its mythical roots enhancing its appeal further.

Beddgelert’s name translates to “Gelert’s grave”, linking the settlement to the medieval tale of Llywelyn the Great and his loyal dog Gelert.

Legend tells how Llywelyn came home to discover his infant gone and Gelert bloodied around the muzzle.

Believing Gelert had harmed his child, Llywelyn slayed his faithful companion. Only moments later, he heard his child’s cry and found them safe and sound, next to a slain wolf that Gelert had bravely defended the child from.

Overcome with grief and regret for killing his faithful dog, Llywelyn held a grand funeral for Gelert in the village.

A tomb was built for the heroic dog by a local landlord in the 18th century, with a walk and trail offering a splendid way to discover the village and its surrounding hills.

Once you’ve returned, the quaint yet welcoming village offers plenty of activities to keep you entertained, whether it’s snuggling up in one of the hotels, B&Bs, or guesthouses or spending the afternoon by a fire at a local pub.

Despite its legendary status, Beddgelert remains a small hamlet, home to fewer than 500 residents, but it is brimming with warmth and charm.

Its cobbled streets, medieval stone cottages, and pubs transport you back to a storybook setting, making it an ideal autumn destination, with Fine Country event naming it as one of the UK’s “prettiest autumn villages”.

For a unique perspective on the village’s history, the nearby Sygun Copper Mine is worth a visit. Copper has been mined in the Snowdon valleys for centuries, with some sources even dating it back to Roman times.

But for a glimpse into its more recent past, Beddgelert is also situated on the historic Welsh Highland Railway, which runs from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.

It’s no surprise that this stunning village has been given quite a few accolades

Holidaying on British soil has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why.

Our coastline is dotted with charming fishing villages that are among the most beautiful in the world, and one in particular stands out as a must-see destination that’s well worth the journey.

Cornwall has unsurprisingly become a hotspot for staycations, with its sparkling turquoise waters, pristine golden beaches and scenic harbours making visitors feel as if they’ve been whisked away to a far more exotic location.

Nestled in the western corners of Cornwall, just 12 miles from the bustling hub of St Ives, lies the enchanting village of Mousehole, which is no stranger to praise.

The community first gained fame after being hailed as “the loveliest village in England” by Welsh poet and author Dylan Thomas following his honeymoon visit there, according to the Express, reports Cornwall Live.

More recently, it featured in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of the best seaside spots in England for 2025, where it was described as “one of the county’s most picturesque fishing villages” and an ideal place to “escape the hustle and bustle of city life”.

The community boasts a picturesque harbour, breathtaking coastal panoramas and stands as a paradise for culinary enthusiasts – housing not one but two venues that have captured Michelin’s attention. The delightful village is decorated with enchanting whitewashed homes that border its slender, twisting cobbled lanes.

An abundance of craft boutiques and intimate tea rooms greet tourists, whilst the pristine waters invite those yearning for a peaceful kayaking excursion. And what superior method exists to restore vitality than indulging in a classic Cornish cream tea?

Visit Cornwall explained: “Mousehole is considered one of Cornwall’s prettiest fishing villages, with two small sandy beaches inside its harbour quays, only accessible at low tide, and a long pebble beach running east toward Penlee Point.

“For keen swimmers, there’s the Mousehole Rock Pool; a natural tidal pool and the perfect spot for a wild sea swim and a chance to spot seals out in the bay.

“There’s an assortment of car parks in and around the harbour, free parking on the road coming into the village, and a good bus service from Penzance.”

On TripAdvisor, the village has received glowing testimonials, with one five-star review saying declaring: ” A beautiful place to enjoy the local food, scenery and history. We visited several villages/cities in Cornwall prior to visiting this location so the expectations were high, spending the day here didn’t disappoint.”

Another visitor, in search of peace and quiet, said: “We really enjoyed our visit to Mousehole harbour, watching the boats go and out. Very relaxing, with plenty of place to sit down.”