May is finally here and excitement is building for the Ludlow Spring Festival! For those of you planning your weekend travel and logistics, we’ve put together this guide to help you get the most out of your trip and enjoy hassle free travel!

Ludlow Spring Festival is back for 2023 and it promises to be a real corker – with a new venue, we’re bringing together the very best in regional beer, food, music, plus gorgeous classic cars in the form of the Marches Transport Festival. 

Launched here in 2018, the distillery has been on quite a journey over the past four years. We spoke to founder and master distiller, Shaun Ward, to find out more... 

Find out everything you need to know about getting to the Ludlow Festival this year, including information on different types of transport, road closures and parking fees. 

Ludlow Food Festival sponsors Balfours are trusted and experienced property professionals and have had a very busy 2022 so far. 

Ludlow Food Festival sponsors Balfours are trusted and experienced property professionals and have had a very busy 2022 so far. We thought we’d take a step into their shoes - for a day in the life at Balfour’s Ludlow office with Sales Manager Scott Kemsley.

It's been a busy year so far for our headline sponsors Wardington's Original. We caught up with Shaun and his team to find out the latest from the distillery...

Wardington’s Original Ludlow Gin turns 3 in style at Ludlow Food Festival

Wardington’s Original Ludlow Gin launched at Ludlow Food Festival in 2018, so this year’s festival marks the distillery’s third birthday. It seems fitting, therefore, that they are our headline sponsor – demonstrating the power of the festival to support local food and drink businesses as they grow and flourish.

We spoke to Master Distiller Shaun Ward to find out more …

Award winning local artist, Meg Hawkins, is a regular feature within the castle walls and we are thrilled she will be returning again this Spring. We caught up with her to find out how things are going for her. 

Ludlow Spring and Food Festivals are zero waste events. It is our mission to reduce plastic across both events. Find out what you can do to help us achieve this. 

Balfours LLP represents the very best in property services for all its clients across the country in a friendly and professional manner. We are delighted this year, that Balfours is sponsoring both the Spring and Food Festival. We spoke to Scott Kemsley of Balfours LLP in Ludlow to find out more about his love for our town and festivals. 

Make sure you discover The Special Cider Company at the Spring Festival this year, especially as they have just launched their new Cider House Berry! 

We are so pleased to be supported this year by the fantastic Mojo and Kizzy of Herefordshire based, Airstream Facilities. Discover more in our latest blog.

Our Ludlow Spring Festival Blog Series opens with Festival sponsors Brightwells Limited. Take a look at our interview with Toby Service and find out about their special connection with the Spring Festival. 

Lee is the author of the vegan cookbook 'Peace and Parsnips' and one half of the presenting team of 24 Hour Kitchen's 'Meat vs Veg'. A food adventurer who travels the world 'veganizing' local dishes, combining two of his main passions, travel and cooking. Based in rural North Wales, Lee cooks at Trigonos, an idyllic retreat centre and organic vegetable farm. Home is with his partner Jane in the Beach House, from where he writes the blog 'The Beach House Kitchen,' focusing on local, seasonal produce given a regular global twist. Take five minutes with Lee as look forward to the weekend

Cook, Food writer and TV presenter - all thanks to a certain baking programme! Beca became known and loved on the 2013 series of 'The Great British Bake Off' as the Welsh Military wife with a serious talent for baking – baking which has formed a huge part of Beca's life thanks to her parents and grandmothers in Wales. As a result of reaching the semi-finals, the hobby is now a career, with Beca having her own TV series called 'Becws' on S4C. Take 5 minutes with Beca as we look forward to the weekend. 

Kev Burrows from Iron and Fire in conversation with us as we look forward to the Food Festival this weekend. 

We can't wait to welcome Elly Pear to the Wots Cooking stage at this year's Ludlow Food Festival. Elly is owner of Bristol’s 'Pear Café,' better known as Elly Pear and author of Sunday Times bestseller, 'Fast Days and Feast Days.' Take five minutes with Elly as we look forward to the Festival. 

Rachel Roddy is from near London, but has lived in Rome, in Testaccio, for nearly 13 years now, with her Sicilian partner and little boy. She writes a weekly column for The Guardian called Kitchen sink tales. She has also written for the The Financial Times, Olive magazine, The Telegraph, Food52, Food and Wine and The Spectator.  Her first book Five Quarters: Recipes and notes from a Kitchen in Rome was published by Saltyard Books and was awarded the Andrè Simon Memorial fund food book award 2105. Her second book is called Two Kitchens; she is currently working on her third book. Take 5 minutes with Rachel as we countdown to the Festival this weekend. 

Karl is Chef/Patron of the 3 AA Rosette 'Old Downton Lodge' Restau rant with Rooms, nestled deep in the hills just outside Ludlow. Under Karl's leadership, the accolades keep coming, with not only the rosettes which put Old Downton in the top 10% of restaurants in the country, but a place in the 2017 Michelin Guide. Discover more in our 'Five Minutes With' blog series....

Reuben has been a part of the Shropshire food scene for many years, having had his own speciality oil shop in Ludlow before becoming General Manager of Ludlow Food Centre and then a Director of Hobsons Brewery.

Now he and his three brothers - Ben, Adam and Josh - run the hugely popular 'CSONS' which this year took over the iconic 'Green Cafe' in Ludlow, which along with their original Shrewsbury Restaurant champions "Locally Sourced, Globally Inspired" food and drink. Discover more in our 'Five Minutes With' blog series.....

Wenlock Spring has built a reputation over the last 29 years for providing premium quality spring water. The independent, second-generation family business is based near Church Stretton in Shropshire and they are custodians of the Wenlock Spring water source that has been in use since 1086. Discover more about our Festival sponsors in our latest blog. 

We can't wait to welcome Hanna Sillitoe - Radiant of My Goodness Recipes to the Food Festival on 8th September. Hanna cooks with a huge variety of plant based foods, and focusses on healing skin from within. Learn more about her inspirational journey on her website, My Goodness Recipes. Take five minutes with Hanna as we look forward to the Food Festival.

We can’t wait to see you over the weekend of 7th - 9th September for the 24th Ludlow Food Festival. Here is the parking and travel information that you need....

Thomasina was winner of BBC MasterChef in 2005. She is a cook and food writer whose work has ranged from cheese-making and running market stalls in Ireland, cheffing with Skye Gyngell at Petersham Nurseries to co-founding the restaurant group Wahaca, winner of numerous awards including OFM’s cheap eats, SRA’s most sustainable restaurant group three years running and her most recent accolade, Tommi was named the Peach 2020 icon of 2017. Take 5 minutes with Thomasina as we look forward to the Ludlow Food Festival.

Romy opened her 'Romy’s Kitchen' in Thornbury, Bristol in 2013 - one of the few female Indian Chef/Owners on the UK restaurant scene, and was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list in 2016. Discover more in our 'Five Minutes With' blog series.

Ellis Barrie is the award winning Chef/Owner of 'The Marram Grass,' Anglesey. We are thrilled that Ellis will be joining us on Friday 7th September to demo on the Graeme Kidd stage. He gave us five minutes of his time to tell us more. 

Felice Tocchini specialises in using fresh, seasonal produce to create delicious food with an Italian twist, and is especially known for his creativity which has resulted in him appearing on numerous television programmes. See him on Sunday 9th September on the Graeme Kidd Stage. 

Lee is the author of the vegan cookbook 'Peace and Parsnips' and one half of the presenting team of 24 Hour Kitchen's 'Meat vs Veg'. He will be demoing on the Wots Cooking Stage on Sunday 9th September and talking on the Talks and Tastings stage on the same day.  

With over 20 years experience, John is Butchery Manager at Ludlow Food Centre and has been part of the winning formula since it opened in 2007. Join us in the Talks & Tastings stage on Saturday 9th September to hear John talk about butchery.  

Karl Martin is Chef/Patron of the 3 AA Rosette 'Old Downton Lodge' Restaurant with Rooms, nestled deep in the hills just outside Ludlow. He will be joining the Graeme Kidd Stage on Saturday 8th September. Discover more here. 

Wenlock Spring is a family business which commenced bottling water in 1989 and since this date the central focus has been to produce a high quality premium water, sourced responsibly and packaged in an environmentally conscious way. The company has sponsored a number of events this weekend as well as having an exhibitor stand. We interviewed Director, Matthew Orne to find out more....

Sue Gilmour Chocolate is a small Herefordshire-based chocolate company built around Sue's passion for chocolate. During the Festival weekend, Sue will be celebrating 10 years as a chocolatier and we can't wait to celebrate with her. Find out about her wonderful world of chocolate in today's Meet the Producer blog. 

Gill and Jon of Sytch Farm Studios have been champions of the Ludlow Food Festival for years now, becoming a Festival favourite both with visitors and exhibitors alike. We caught up with them to find out more about them, their business and their passion for collaboration.

Introducing the Hobson's sponsored, Ludlow Food Festival reusable plastic glasses - new for the Festival in 2018!

This year, Woods Brewery will be occupying the famous Moat at Ludlow Castle with a rather special celebration of their Shropshire Beers. We caught up with Managing Director, Stephen O'Neill, to find out more. 

Ludlow Gin is a hand-crafted, single batch, copper pot distilled gin that will be launched at the Food Festival in September 2018. We caught up with Ludlow's Shaun Ward to find out more about it. 

PRISON VAN LANDING! For the first time in Ludlow Food Festival's history, we have a Jailhouse landing in the Castle Square. We caught up with the Jailhouse Tours team to find out more...

We would not be able to run Ludlow Food Festival without the Wots Cooking team. We caught up with Katie to find out more about their close relationship with the Ludlow Food Festival. Read more in our latest blog. 

We want you to have a stress free day and enjoy all that the Ludlow Spring Festival has to offer. Find out all the transport information you need here...

Who doesn't want to taste great cured meat and wine made with love by Shrophsire Producers? We caught up with Will Macken of Shropshire Salumi to find out what we can expect when he comes to the Spring Festival this year...

This is the first time we have had Cocktail Masterclasses here at the Spring Festival and we can't wait. In preparation we interviewed Phillip Jeffrey who owns and runs The Spirit Room in Bridgnorth. 

Introducing the Next Generation of Gourmet Salt - Droitwich Salt to Launch at Ludlow Food Festival. Discover more here...

In conversation with the brilliant Head Chefs of Eckington Manor, Mark & Sue Stinchcombe. Don't miss them on Saturday 9th September on the Wots Cooking Stage. 

Plan your day with us and leave plenty of time to arrive at Ludlow Castle so as to avoid missing any of the fun and food. Find out all you need to know here...

Make sure you discover the fantatsic Chefslocker at the Sunday Market this year. You will also see his Japenese Kitchen Knives and Konro Grill being used by chef, Brad Carter during his demo. Discover more here... 

Iron & Fire Speciality Coffee Roaster is among the Great Taste winners of 2017. Discover more here...

We are so lucky to once again have the support of our brilliant Festival Sponsor, Wenlock Spring. Discover more here...

Indian Street Food is coming to the Food Festival. Discover more here...

The brilliant Press de Cuba have teamed up with the renowned Swift's Bakery, to create the ultimate cuban sandwich. Discover more here...

Discover Rayeesa's fabulous recipe for chicken curry here...

Rayeesa's Indian Kitchen is Herefordshire's first and only authentic Indian Cookery School, set in the peaceful and tranquil setting of a 15th Century farmhouse kitchen. Learn from Rayeesa Asghar-Sandys, who is passionate about sharing her love of Indian food with others. 

Tom is an Award winning Former Head Chef of many years standing with 2 AA Rosettes to his name, but now doing it for himself - running his own catering company 'Sticky Fig Catering' based in the West Midlands. Discover more here...

Richard is Chef/Owner of 'Benedicts' in Norwich - his first solo venture alongside wife Katya. He is a fantastic chef whom we are thrilled to welcome back to the Graeme Kidd Stage on Sunday 10th September. Discover more here...

Discover the delicious Chock Shop at this year's Ludlow Food Festival. 

Discover and Support Self-Help Africa at this year's Ludlow Food Festival...

Discover luxury confectionery brand, Champion & Reeves, at this year's Ludlow Food Festival.... 

We are thrilled that Fentimans is sponsoring the Festival this year, and will be bringing their bespoke Pop Up Botanical Bar into the Castle serving their award winning drinks and cocktails all weekend. 

A chef for nearly 25 years, Paul Crowe’s career has taken him up and down the country where he’s worked with some of the best in the business. He will be on the Graeme Kidd Stage on Staurday 9th September. Discover more here...

Congratulations to Silver Bursary winner, Kier Rogers of Colcombe House. Discover more about this brilliant drinks business here...

Congratulations to Silver Bursary winner, Martha Williams of Send Cake. Discover more about this brilliant foodie business here...

Discover the fabulous Toot Sweets at this year's Festival....

Introducing the fabulous brand, Continuum Conceits, a luxury artisan chocolate brand based in Hereford. Continuum Conceits are the winners of our Gold Bursary 2017. Meet the maker here...

Chefs Sue and Mark Stinchombe are the couple behind the Farm to Fork food philosophy at the heart of Eckington Manor. Make sure you head to the Wots Cooking Stage on Saturday 9th September to see this extraordinary couple in action. Discover more here...

Mark is Manager and Head Chef at The Pheasant Inn, Neenton. His philosophy is to focus on a creative, British seasonal menu, changing daily to reflect the best of seasonal produce, which is locally sourced where possible. See him on Sunday 10th September on the Graeme Kidd Stage.

Discover Old Granary Pierogi at this year's Ludlow Food Festival.

Gareth Ward is Chef Patron at 'Ynyshir,' a Michelin star, four AA rosette restaurant and rooms which offers dining experiences featuring, in Ward’s own northern dialect, ‘Alternative British Snap (food)’ packed with flavour. He joins us at 3pm, Saturday 9th September on the Graeme Kidd Stage. Discover more here. 

In 2017 Top Chef Friday will be organised by celebrity chef and Brompton Cookery School owner Marcus Bean. Read more about this fantastic chef in our latest blog. 

Award winning Chocolatier, Daniel Jones, will be joining the Graeme Kidd Stage on Saturday 9th September. Discover more about Daniel here...

Michel Nijsten is Executive Head Chef at 'The Albright Hussey Manor' near Shrewsbury. An Ambassador for Shropshire Producers, Michel's strong belief in using local produce is a huge selling point in the Restaurant. Come and see Michel on the Graeme Kidd Stage on Saturday 9th September. Discover more here...

Daren Bale is an award winning chef with a commitment to cooking local, seasonal produce. He will be joining the Graeme Kidd Stage on Sunday 10th September. Discover more here...

Join us on Saturday 9th September for Seriously Wild with Forager and Food Writer, Adele Nozedar. Discover more here...

Join reknowned baker, Peter Cook, on Sunday 10th September for his Seriously Real Bread talk. Discover more here...

Join Foodwriter and Restaurateur, Bill Sewell, on Sunday 10th September as he brings his latest book, Bill's Kitchen, to Literary Ludlow in conjunction with Aardvark Books. Discover more here....

John is a food writer and cook. He writes frequently for the Telegraph, and is resident chef on ITV's Lorraine. He is also co-host of ITV's hit daytime show, Chopping Block. See him on Friday 8th September when he will also be signing copies of his latest book, Comfort: Food to Soothe the Soul. 

Radnor Hills are back for yet another year at their favourite Ludlow Food Festival. Whipping up a variety of scrumptious cocktails and soft drinks for visitors to enjoy. Discover more in their guest blog. 

Beccy Whittal's business, Cake Aspirations, has just received the huge kudos of receiving the 3 Star Great Taste Award for her Salted Caramel Fudge. Discover more here...

Don't miss our SERIOUSLY..... Talks at this year's Ludlow Food Festival. 

On Friday 8th September we are thrilled to welcome Nutritional Therapist, Eva Humphries, who will be discussing her thoughts on being Seriously... Fad Free.

Passionate about real bread, and the difference making your own can have on your health and happiness, Kath Corfield set up her cookery school 'The Veg Patch Kitchen' in 2014. She will be joining the Talks & Tastings Stage on Friday 8th September.

Lizzy runs ‘Our Lizzy’ Cookery School in Malvern Link in Worcestershire where you can learn how to cook a variety of simple, tasty, nutritious meat free recipes. She will be joining us on Friday 8th September. Discover more here...

With more than 20 years’ experience in making artisan cheeses, Ludlow Food Centre’s Dairy Manager, Dudley Martin, is a fountain of knowledge. He will be doing his Talk and Tasting on Friday 8th September. 

Suree is the award winning Chef Patron of the much acclaimed 'King and Thai' at Broseley near historic Ironbridge in Shropshire, which she runs with her partner Simon Turner. She will be joining the Wots Cooking Demo Stage on Friday 8th September. Discover more in our latest blog.

Once again it’s time to get your Best New Products across to us to be judged…. Last year we had some amazing entries and the press and coverage from those was well received over the weekend and beyond.

Prudence Staite sculpts with chocolate and food, to make edible art. Come and be amazed by her chocolate sculptures when she demostrates on the Wots Cooking Stage on Friday 8th September.

Tim Haywood is an award winning food journalist and writer, with a raft of awards to his name. We are thrilled that he will be bringing his acclaimed book KNIFE, together with his latest book, with him to the Ludlow Food Festival on Saturday 9th September.

Three years ago, Rupert Bennett and his wife Tracey decided to start a cold pressed rapeseed oil business which has been a huge success. A year ago they diversified into salad dressings and marinades and Rupert will be talking about and demonstrating both oil and dressings at the Festival.

Brad Carter is Chef/Director of the Michelin starred 'Carters of Moseley.' We are thrilled that he will be joining the Wots Cooking Stage on Sunday 10th September. Discover more in our latest blog. 

Pete Lawrence is an author, broadcaster, cook, gardener and one of the UK’s leading Television Producers in the Food Genre. He will be joining us on Saturday 9th September for Talks and Tastings and for a Chef Demo on the Wots Cooking Stage. Discover more here. 

Ludlow Brewery has always been an incredible sponsor and partner of the Food Festival. This year we have some very exciting plans with the Brewery so we thought it would be a good opportunity for us to chat with Gary Walters who founded the brewery along with his wife Alison in 2006. 

Sue Chantler, Chair, Ludlow Marches Slow Food tells us about what Slow Food is and its relationship with the Ludlow Food Festival. This year the International Slow Food AGM will be held during the Festival, a huge honour for us. 

Andy is the award winning Chef/Patron, Gardener and Bee Keeper of the recently awarded 2 AA Rosette 'Riverside Inn' at Aymestrey in Herefordshire. Discover more in our latest Chef Spotlight. 

We are thrilled to be welcoming Shaun Hill to the Wots Cooking Stage on Sunday 10th September who will be folowing his demo by signing his new book, "Salt is Essential". 

Discover more about this inspirtaional chef...

NEW for 2017, we have two bursary opportunities for exhibitors. Find out about our Gold and Silver bursary packages designed to help new and up and coming food and drink producers from the Ludlow and Marches area. 

Samantha Evans and Shauna Guinn traveled to America in 2012 – 2013 on a roadtrip of epic proportions to find out ‘what exactly is american bbq?’. Their mission was to attend masterclasses, listen to pearls of wisdom from backyard and competition ‘cuers’ alike and try as much bbq as possible. They will be joining the Wots Cooking Stage on Saturday 9th September. Find out more about them here...

Join us for our Wots Cooking Chef Spotlight on Elisabeth Luard who is joining us on Friday 8th September. 

Whether it be a simple pleasure, an accompaniment to a cheese board, or the basis to a garnished canape at a dinner party Oak Apple’s Cheese nibbles are simply essential. Find out more about Oak Apple Catering in today's blog. 

The whole g.org.e range is made from raw, organic superfoods and nothing else. Just pure indulgent chocolate that is actually good for you. They will have the full range of g.org.e chocolates and truffles to taste (and buy!), including their brand new raw organic chocolate bars and chocolate coated mango which they are launching at the festival. Discover more here...

The Special Cider Company officially launched this year and is going from strength to strength. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Ludlow Spring Festival for the very first time. Discover more in our latest blog.  

Fentimans Botanically Brewed Beverages will be sponsoring the Ludlow Spring Festival and bringing their unique botanical pop up bar to Ludlow for the weekend.

A story of innovation, friendship and great cider. Discover Oliver's Cider at this year's Spring and Food Festival. 

Discover the unique taste of Harry's Milkshakes in the latest Ludlow Food Festival blog.

In the world of farm shops Ludlow Food Centre is still unique, producing on site over 50% of what they sell in time honoured traditional ways. They are working even closer with us this year to bring the very best to the Ludlow Spring and Food Festival. 

Radnor Hills have been supporting and exhibiting at the Ludlow Spring and Food Festival for years now. Always an incredibly popular business, we caught up with Managing Director, William Watkins, to find out what to expect from Radnor Hills at this year's festivals. 

Your taste buds will be firing when you read about the delicious range of handmade salamis all made form high welfare Gloucester Old Spot Pork and other locally sourced ingredients that Will Macken of Shropshire Salumi will be bringing to the Spring and Food Festival. Discover Shropshire Salumi here... 

Sytch Farm Studios, nestled in the beautiful Shropshire countryside is the home and creative work space of potter, Gill, and carpenter, Jon. Together they make absolutely beautiful pieces for the home and kitchen. Discover what they will be bringing to Ludlow Food Festival this year...

Growing up with Italian parents, food and drink have always been an integral and important part of the lives of Mia and Melody, otherwise known as La Triestina. Regular and popular features on the Food Festival circuit, we love the ladies and look forward to sharing their authentic, quality, Italian fare each year. Here we are in conversation with Mia and Melody as they prepare for Festival season to begin.