Ludlow is famed for being Shropshire’s gastronomic haven, with the Ludlow Food Festival being the pinnacle in the county's culinary calendar. Running from 13th - 15th September 2019, this year the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary, so there's no better excuse to take part. Our Day Trip Diaries series visits this bustling market town to sample their famed food highlights and take in its beautiful historical architecture…
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Let's start with the main event in September, the Ludlow Food Festival. Located within the medieval grounds of Ludlow Castle, the three day festival will host more than 180 local food and drink producers, along with a timetable teeming full of talks, workshops, tastings, community initiatives and more. Whether you wish to learn a new skill or just want to enjoy delicious food in beautiful surroundings, with an electric atmosphere, you’ll find that this is just the place for you...
A few of our must-visit events this year include: James Wood talking about wild foraging and how we can all enjoy cooking with wild foods, Mike Warner discussing all aspects of the commercial UK fishing industry, championing its economic importance, heritage and sustainability; plus, don’t miss tips and tricks to avoid a ‘soggy bottom’ from Great British Bake Off 2016 winner, Candice Brown, or one of the many Slow Food workshops which aim to spearhead a shift from food production and consumption towards a better, more sustainable model.
If you're passionate about buying local, seasonal produce, full of flavour and satisfaction, you’ll be overwhelmed by the wealth of delicious flavours and aromas that will leave you feeling inspired - and also rather hungry. There are plenty more wonderful events and talks to discover amongst the array of food and drink stalls, plus you can also expect a huge range of things for the kids to get involved in too...
Can't make the festival? Not to worry, because Ludlow hosts a veritable bounty of great restaurants and shopping experiences. A must-visit for seasoned gourmands is the award-winning Ludlow Farm Shop which offers fresh, locally sourced seasonal and handmade food. A treasure trove of foodie finds, it’s near impossible to walk away without some delicious goodies from the local area.
Food aside, Ludlow has an abundance of ornate, Jacobean buildings in the centre of the town; prominent examples being the 17th century Feathers Hotel and The Reader's House – the latter of which is right next to St. Laurence’s Church.
A leisurely stroll down Broad Street, one of the three main streets in town, is always worth it. The mix of black and white Jacobean properties at the top of the street, leading to Georgian buildings as you descend the hill, adds a sense of travelling back in time. You can pass through Broadgate, the last surviving medieval gate into the town, dating from around 1270.
Whilst taking in the stunning architecture on display in Broad Street, you’ll find our boutique. Our customers are a mix of Ludlow residents and visitors from far and wide; some come specifically to visit Sahara and others find us by surprise.
Sahara, Ludlow manager Jenny says, “The main aim for us is that our customers all leave happy and feel that visiting us is more than just a shopping experience. Our favourite thing about Sahara is that each and every person is individual and never pigeonholed, a Sahara lady can be whoever they want to be.”
Ludlow’s skyline is dominated by the towers of Ludlow Castle and St Laurence’s Church. The medieval castle is situated in the centre, next to the town square, while St Laurence’s stands tall as the largest parish church in Shropshire. Each attracts visitors from all over the world, with the castle playing host to many festivals and fayres including the Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre on 23rd - 24th November 2019.
Look no further for a thriving market town that is a must-visit destination for foodies. With many festivals and ancient streets to explore, a day or weekend trip to Ludlow is definitely a must.
