Which? Travel asked more than 9,000 people to rate their favourite inland towns and villages’ food and drink offering. Ludlow, a historic market town in Shropshire, came out on top
The quaint market town is one of the UK’s top foodie destinations, according to a survey by Which? Travel. After polling over 9,000 people in 2024, Ludlow in Shropshire emerged as the nation’s best-rated inland town for its culinary delights, boasting an impressive five-star rating for its food and drink offerings.
This picturesque town, with its 500-plus listed buildings, has long been admired for its charm, with poet John Betjeman once describing it as “the loveliest town in England”. Ludlow’s recipe for success lies in its emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which are showcased in its numerous pubs, cafes and restaurants.
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A spokesperson for Which? said: “Instead of a handful of high-end eateries, there’s a culture of local produce as well as numerous pubs and cafes, served by people who care about the food.”
Some of Ludlow’s top-rated eateries include The Old Downton Lodge, Vaughan’s Sandwich Bar, The Boyne Arms gastropub, and CSONS, a riverside cafe.
Visitors can sample the best of the region’s produce at the Ludlow Local Produce market, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
The market features food and drink produced within a 30-mile radius of the town, promoting sustainable and locally sourced fare.
Wells, the UK’s second-smallest city, took second place in the survey as the best inland destination for foodies. Top UK Towns and Villages for Foodies.