THE FOOD
With its rich farming heritage, celebrating local produce is a big thing in Shropshire. Unusual local must-trys are owl soup (actually made from pigeon) and fidget pie (gammon, cheese, onion and cider). Don’t miss Billington’s gingerbread from Market Drayton, Shropshire Blue cheese and Shropshire ales Twisted Spire and Town Crier. Check out September’s Ludlow Food Festival (ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk).
LUDLOW FARM SHOP On the A49 heading north from Ludlow, this foodie haven sells meat and dairy from its own farm (ludlowfarmshop.co.uk).
THE CLIVE ARMS Next to Ludlow Farm Shop, with a mostly locally sourced menu and 18 pretty bedrooms. Doubles from £100, room only (theclive.co.uk).
BLUE BOAR, LUDLOW Hosting poetry and quiz nights, this friendly 17th-century pub is a true local with a blazing fire and a hearty menu to enjoy (blueboarludlow.co.uk).
CSONS SHREWSBURY A relaxed café offering locally sourced, globally inspired food, ranging from organic Longhorn steak to chicken katsu (csons-shrewsbury.co.uk).
HAWKSTONE HALL, WESTON A lavish dining room with grand, gilt-framed paintings on the walls and excellent honey-caramelised cod, and lemon olive oil cake on the menu (hawkstonehall.co.uk). THE COMBERMERE ARMS, BURLEYDAM Handy for self-caterers at Combermere Abbey, this 16th-century pub offers click-and-collect meals and wine, or Malaysian curry, steaks and vegan burgers on the terrace (brunningandprice.co.uk).
PENSONS, NETHERWOOD ESTATE This Michelin-star restaurant, under chef Chris Simpson, offers exquisite dishes featuring home-grown or foraged produce (pensons.co.uk).