T

he people of Ludlow take food very seriously.

Not only is the Shropshire town home to three (!) Michelin-starred restaurants, countless specialist food shops (try Deli on the Square) and six independent butchers’, but there’s even a highly prestigious ‘Sausage of the Year’ competition.

What we particularly love, however, is the Farmers’ Market, which takes place on the second and fourth Thursday each month. As you’d expect in a town with such strong foodie credentials, all the products you see are grown, bred, caught, pickled, brewed and baked by the stallholders themselves – within a 30-mile radius.

And if the other six butchers’ shops don’t have that special piece of charcuterie you had in mind, might we suggest the G&R Tudge stall – which is renowned for delicious hams dry-cure bacon.

However, if you’re looking for a real treat, come in September for the annual Food Festival – where 130 independent producers congregate in the grounds of the Medieval castle to tempt you with all sorts of tasty treats.

Makes your mouth water just thinking about it…