Shropshire is one of England finest food counties, and the town of Ludlow sits at the heart of its reputation. Ludlow hosted the UK original food festival in 1995, and the town has been at the forefront of the slow food movement ever since. Its independent food shops, twice-monthly farmers market, and the principle of promoting produce from within 30 miles have made Ludlow a model for local food culture that other towns aspire to.
Ludlow Farmshop is a destination in itself. Part of the Earl of Plymouth 8,000-acre Oakly Park Estate, it produces more than half of what it sells on site. The robotic dairy provides milk for artisan cheeses including Ludlow Blue, the soft Cheese With No Name, and Oakly Park Cheddar. The butchery uses beef, lamb, and Gloucester Old Spot pork from the estate. The bakery produces over 20 types of biscuit each week alongside breads and cakes. There is an on-site distillery, coffee roastery, and kitchen producing Shropshire Fidget Pies. Eighty percent of what is sold comes from Shropshire and the surrounding counties.
The brewing heritage is exceptional. Three Tuns Brewery in Bishop Castle has been brewing continuously since 1642, making it the oldest licensed brewery in Britain. Salopian Brewery near Shrewsbury produces over 150 barrels a week of award-winning ales. Hobsons in Cleobury Mortimer won CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain for their Mild. Ludlow Brewing Company operates from a converted railway shed beside the station. Joules in Market Drayton revived a brewery originally founded in 1779.
Beyond Ludlow, the county is rich with producers. Fordhall Organic Farm in Market Drayton is England first community-owned farm, selling pasture-fed meat with full traceability. Brooklands Dairy makes organic gelato from Brown Swiss cow milk. Pimhill Farm sells organic milk through a vending machine. Apley Farm Shop near Shifnal has been making its own Cheshire cheese since 1956. Billingtons has been making gingerbread in Market Drayton since 1817. Shrewsbury Market Hall has been voted Britain favourite market.
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