WEEKENDERS

LEICESTERSHIRE

Melton Mowbray sells itself as the UK’S ‘rural capital of food and drink’ and its claim is well-founded. Hand-raised pork pies have been made here for 200 years, and it is home to one of only six UK dairies licensed to produce Stilton. While sampling these is recommended, there are many other ways to fill your time.

WHAT TO DO

Once an Anglo-saxon settlement, Melton Mowbray brims with buildings of architectural and historical significance – 705 to be precise. The Heritage Trail weaves along cobbled alleys passing imposing hunting lodges and redbrick priories. Prefer an exhibition? At Melton Carnegie Museum, you can learn about the divisive history of fox hunting in the area and how the phrase ‘painting the town red’ was coined here in 1837 when the Marquess of Waterford and his pals splashed doors and windows with paint after a few too many ales (meltonmuseum.org). A stone’s throw away in the Vale of Belvoir, Holwell Reserves is a sanctum for nature and wildlife. Grab your binoculars and watch buzzards, red kites and kestrels (lrwt.org.uk).

The Crown Inn provides fireside dining perfect for chillier climes. Warm yourself up with pub classics such as steak and ale pie – or, for something more decadent, order the chateaubriand for two (thecrownolddalby.com). After a generous snack? Mrs B’s Tea Rooms offers sweet and savoury delights (missbstearooms.co.uk). For a meal with a story, settle down at The Anne of Cleves. When Anne divorced Henry VIII in 1540, she got to keep the pub (and her head). Today, its game pie and guinea fowl wouldn’t look out of place at the finest Tudor banquet (theanneofcleves.com).

PLACES TO EAT