The small UK town named one of the prettiest in the UK – and has the ‘best food in the country’

IF you like pretty towns with good food, then one in the UK ticks both boxes.

Ludlow, in Shropshire, has been rated the best in the country for its food and drink scene.

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A ? study on the best UK towns for cuisine revealed Ludlow was the only one to get five stars.

It was once the only town to have three Michelin-starred restaurants, although none of these are no longer listed.

However, there are six on the Michelin Guide list.

This includes Mortimers, serving "modern British" food within a 16th-century townhouse, and Charlton Arms, overlooking the River Teme.

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The Old Downton Lodge, also serving "modern" cuisine, is found on a 5,500-acre estate dating back to the 13th century while The Baiting House is a family-friendly pub with classic British dishes.

Otherwise other cuisines including tapas Spanish, South Asian, Indian and Italian can be found in the town.

You aren't short of good beers either, with the Ludlow Brewing Company, the 1668 pub The Wheatsheaf Inn or the nearby Six Bells and the Three Tuns, which is said to be the oldest brewery in England.

Ludlow is one of the prettiest in the UK too, according to the latest study.

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Featuring 1,250 towns across the country, the paper states: "Once described by John Betjeman as 'the loveliest town in England', Ludlow’s crooked Medieval streets, handsome 11th-century castle and cinematic Shropshire surroundings only add weight to the poet laureate’s opinion."

The main attraction is the 11th-century Ludlow Castle, one of the best-preserved ruins from Medieval times.

Although the best views are found on the top of Whitcliff Common, which overlooks most of the town.

The historical market town has many of the original Tudor buildings, making it feel like you've stepped back in time.

Keep an eye out for some famous locals - impressionist Alistair McGowan now lives in Ludlow.

If you fancy staying the night, the most popular hotels include The Feathers Hotel and The Charlton Arms Hotel, although there is also a Travelodge if you're on a budget.

Just outside the town is Fishmore Hall Hotel & Spa, a Georgian property named in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2023.

And the best time to visit is in September, when the Ludlow Food Festival (the original food festival in the UK) takes place with hundreds of food and drink stalls.

Although just in time for Christmas is the town's Medieval Christmas Fayre, with stalls as well as falconry displays and live folk music.

To get to Ludlow, it is three hours by train from London, with a change at Newport, or a 1.5 hour drive from Birmingham.

Another UK town has been named as the "most magical" in England.

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Painswick has been dubbed the "Queen of the Cotswolds" with its beautiful buildings looking like something from Bridgerton.

And an Irish town has been compared to Italy with its colourful houses.

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