The picturesque market town of Ludlow has long been one of the best food destinations in the UK. From Michelin-recommended fine dining to pretty riverside cafés, Ludlow presents its visitors with a treasure trove of culinary delights.

Whether you’re after simple pub grub cooked to perfection or want to discover something new, Ludlow’s got you covered.

MARKET STALLS & INDEPENDENT SHOPS

For more than 900 years, Ludlow Market has been the town’s cultural and culinary heart. Held several times a week in the shadow of Ludlow Castle, local farmers and artisans come together to sell fresh produce, meats, cheeses and baked goods alongside handmade clothes and gifts.

The town is also home to a number of specialist food shops. Strolling the streets inside the medieval walls, you’ll find a couple of butcher’s shops, an old-fashioned greengrocer’s, an organic food shop, a chocolatier and some fantastic delis. Pick up some ingredients to cook up a feast at home.

FOOD FESTIVAL & EVENTS

Ludlow is home to one of the longest-running food festivals in the UK. Set within the castle grounds, it showcases some of the best food from around the Welsh Marches, featuring live demonstrations and talks from some of the brightest lights in the UK food scene.

The main food festival spans three days and takes place every September – 2024 marks 30 years since the festival’s inception, with celebrations including extra goodies and even more atmosphere. With more than 100 stalls to visit, the festival offers a great opportunity to taste and buy a wide array of local delicacies and tasty treats.

The same team put on a three-day spring festival, which has more of a beer and ale focus, plus a foodcentred country ramble in summer, the Magnalonga.

WORLD-CLASS RESTAURANTS

Ludlow was previously home to an impressive three MichelinStarred restaurants. Unfortunately, challenges in the hospitality industry mean that all three are now closed – but that doesn’t mean you can’t f ind first-rate dining options in Ludlow. Several restaurants are recommended by some of the best-known restaurant guidebooks, including Michelin, the AA and the Good Food Guide.

Mortimers focuses on local, seasonal ingredients cooked to a high standard. An accessible three-course lunch menu is on offer Thursday to Saturday. Evening diners can enjoy a weekend tasting menu, with thoughtful wine pairings available to really set off the unique tastes of each dish.

Forelles is outside the town centre, but it’s worth making the visit if you want something special. The head chef sources all ingredients (seafood excluded) from within a 30-mile radius, making this an excellent place to discover local flavours.

For more relaxed fare, the Charlton Arms pub and inn is a good choice. It’s a family-run establishment serving elevated classics – think fish and chips, hearty burgers and steaks with an elegant spin. Its sister pub, the Church Inn, is run by the same head chef and comes highly recommended.

CAFÉ CULTURE

To keep you sated between meals, Ludlow boasts a handful of top-rated cafés. For coffee and cake, the Castle Lodge Buttery is an ideal choice – homemade sweet treats and tempting savouries are available until 5pm every day.

Another local gem is the Green Café, set on the banks of the River Teme. Emphasising sustainability but with a global spin, it offers breakfast and lunch every day, plus dinner on Friday nights. They’ve recently relaunched a Mystery Menu supper club, serving a five-course feast on a different global theme once a month.

A TIPPLE OR TWO

No visit to Ludlow would be complete without a tipple at a local pub. Historic pubs and taverns are scattered throughout the walled town. The Rose & Crown, thought to be Ludlow’s oldest pub, dates back to the 13th century and features wood-panelled walls, a cosy fireplace and a beer garden where you can soak up the summer sun.

The Blue Boar is over 300 years old and serves local ales – you can even have one in an old-fashioned tankard if you’re so inclined. It offers a seasonal food menu and plays host to cultural events like poetry nights and performances for Ludlow Fringe Festival.

Still thirsty? Don’t miss a trip to the Ludlow Brewery. The family brewers at this independent brewery create a range of delicious beers using locally grown hops and solar energy. Book a tour to learn more, or visit the taproom to sample some of their best bitters.

If you’re not much of a beer drinker, don’t worry – you’ll find something stronger to whet your whistle at the Ludlow Distillery, about two miles outside the town centre. The master distillers craft premium gins and single-malt English whisky on site. As with the brewery, guided tours are available, or you can simply turn up to the visitor centre to see what it’s all about.

A GASTRONOMIC DESTINATION

Ludlow’s food and drink scene is a perfect blend of old and new. Pop into traditional pubs serving local ales before dinner in a Michelin-approved restaurant. Grab a sandwich and a slice of cake at a local café before watching one of Britain’s top chefs demonstrate their skills at the food festival.

Ludlow has something for everyone – so come hungry.