In more recent times Ludlow has built up a national reputation for the quality of its local produce and its Michelin restaurant, Mr. Underhills, and the Mitchelin starred chef at La Becasse as well as numerous other places to eat where you can experience genuine top quality, non-industrialised food. Ludlow contains a large number of independent, specialist food shops: four butchers, four bakers, cheese shops, delis, whole food shops, organic food shops etc. All sell products of the highest quality, much of which is sourced locally. In Castle Street, in the square, a farmers market is held once a month and a traditional open air market is held three or four times a week. In the centre of the town are numerous pubs and bars, many selling local beers. The Ludlow and Marches Festival of Food and Drink takes place each September and is held in the castle and the centre of the town. It is now a huge event and attracts thousands of visitors over the three days it is held. The most popular event is the sausage trail.

Outside Ludlow are numerous interesting places to eat such as the Stagg Inn at Titley, the Waterdine at Llanfair Waterdine, the Roebuck Inn at Brimfield, and the Jolly Frog at Leintwardine. Recently opened is the Bell Inn, Yarpole. Owned by the chef of Hibiscus London

An event that is becoming increasingly popular is the annual Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre when Ludlow castle is bustling with medieval entertainers, minstrels and traders. It is held over a Saturday and Sunday and is the ideal family day out.

But Ludlow is not just about history and eating, it makes the ideal base for a walking holiday. For gentle walking, Whitcliffe Common, the remnants of a much larger medieval common, use of which was acquired by the burgesses of Ludlow before 1241, is ideal. For the more adventurous there is the Shropshire Way and Mortmer Trail. At Church Stretton there is Cardingmill Valley and the Long Mynd excellent walking country with much of interest to the naturalist. If you like fishing the river Teme, that runs round the town, has high water quality and its mainly undeveloped banks make the river an ideal habitat for fish. A two-mile stretch of the Teme and its tributary, the Corve, are available for fishing at Ludlow and are controlled by the Ludlow Angling Club. Phone 01584 872575 for information about day fishing tickets.
Ludlow is also good for horse riding Ludlow race course is just outside the town. There are usually about 15 race meetings each year. For those who enjoy golf, Ludlow Golf Club is just outside the town.

Close to Ludlow are numerous places of interest.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum (20 Miles) This is the valley that changed our world, this is where the Industrial Revolution began.
Church Stretton(12 Miles) Church Stretton's glorious setting in a narrow valley earned the name "Little Switzerland" from the Victorians when they tried to establish it as a spa, and visitors today are still refreshed by its beauty.
Clun (13 Miles) Clun is a town in miniature, lying in the valley of the River Clun. The ruined Norman castle, built in the 12th century to defend the Welsh border dominates the town.
Severn Valley Railway This restored steam railway travels down the beautiful Severn valley from Bridgnorth to Bewdley then onto Kidderminster.
Acton Scott Working Farm Experience daily life on an upland farm at the turn of the century. This, together with daily demonstrations of rural crafts complete the picture of estate-life a hundred years ago.
Croft Castle, Berrington Hall (National Trust) and Stokesay Castle, are also worth visiting.

Other links
Northumberland Tourist Guide Northumberland Tourist Guide is a prime source of reference for tourism in Northumberland and is an indispensable guide for any tourist.