Ludlow - the food and drink capital
Food lovers' paradise?

Ludlow has deservedly acquired a reputation for being the centre for some of the best food and drink in Britain.

There are several reasons for this phenomenon: firstly, the unspoilt countryside of the Marches contains contains an amazing number of small independent food and drink producers whose commitment to producing 'real' food of the highest quality with the minimum of artificial interference.

The second reason is that Ludlow itself contains an impressive number of independent, specialist food shops: butchers, bakers, cheese shops, delicatessens, whole food shops, organic food shops.... All selling products of the highest quality, much of which is sourced locally. Not just traditional shops, but also there is a farmers' market held once a month in the main square, as well as the traditional open-air market containing food stalls, held three or four times a week. There are also several excellent farm shops in the surrounding area.

The next reason - and possibly the one that gets the most attention from the media - is the restaurants of Ludlow, and beyond. It's not just Michelin - other independent restaurant guides come to the same conclusion: in and around Ludlow there are more top quality restaurants than almost anywhere else in Britain except for London. Most of the chefs who started these restaurants chose the location at least partly because of the proximity of local food supplies of the highest quality - produced by people who really care.

It's not just gourmet meals that Ludlow excels in. At all levels of eating establishments from the humblest cafe upwards, you will be far more likely to experience genuine top quality, non-industrialised food than almost anywhere else in Britain.

But good restaurants and good producers are by no means the only thing that Ludlow has to offer lovers of good food and drink. Ludlow Food and Drink Festival takes place in the Castle and throughout the town centre. Now in its fourteenth year, it is the biggest and unquestionably the best of its kind, with a tremendous atmosphere of fun, enthusiasm and dedication to food and drink of all kinds.

The Spring Event which takes place on Saturday/Sunday 7th & 8th May 2011 in the gardens in Ludlow Castle, Shropshire. With at least 140 real ales on draught from small breweries in Wales and the Marches, brought to Ludlow with help of SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, plus other drinks, seriously good local sausages, proper bread, and more, vistors will enjoy a great fun atmosphere!