A shaggy biker once called the market town of Louth England’s ‘food mecca’.
And when I step on the M11, my boots ford A fiesta that creaks under the weight of piles of local cheeses, hams and pork pies, I tend to agree.
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My partner and I spent two days exploring the picturesque easternmost town.lincolnshire Wolds.
The cobbled streets are lined with Victorian and Georgian buildings and independent shops selling local produce, including the distinctive thatched-roof Stevenson’s Grocer.
Among them is a cheese shop, which does what it says on the tin so well that it won an award in 2011 as the best small food store in the UK.
I purchased a huge wedge of oak smoked Lincolnshire red and truffle baron. This is a raw milk Brie-style cheese with a layer of white truffle mousse that makes it even more decadent.
of Snowdonia Black Bomber—a very mature, fine cheddar cheese—was a personal favorite.
We also picked up two of their “small” pork pies.
When the cheesemonger counted our items, he slipped two little white chocolate mice into our bags.
Legend has it that The Cheese Shop was once owned by a wizard who found his goods stolen in the middle of the night by a pack of mischievous rodents.
There, a cunning wizard casts a spell on his shop, transforming cheese within the length of his wand into delicious white chocolate.
The food festival wasn’t just limited to cheese.
Our hosts for the weekend, Andrea and Chris, greeted us with a basket filled with homemade bread, eggs fresh from the farm, granola, ham and jam.
We were enchanted by Millie’s Mews – one of two gorgeous rustic conversions of a former goat barn on the grounds of their cottage in nearby Yarburgh.
Skilled craftsmen have created a lovely studio space with a comfortable bed, sofa, small kitchenette and patio with views over the Lincolnshire countryside.
After greeting Chris and Andrea’s chickens and enjoying the picturesque gardens, we headed back to Louth for dinner.
A 10-minute drive along winding country roads brings us to the family-run store. ItalianMontebello Ristorante.
picturesque village
I had the signature Penne Montebello, a rich tomato-based pasta dish with pancetta and chorizo.
It was divine, only £10.25 and great value.
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My partner chose the Porchetta – slow roasted pork belly stuffed with bacon, garlic and herbs for 15.95.
The next day we went to The Royal Oak Inn in nearby Little Corthorpe for a Sunday roast.
Dating back to the 17th century, pub Commemorate Charles II’s escape from enemies by hiding in an oak tree after the war Worcester.
A cozy inn sits on the edge of shallow water in this picturesque village, with a lovely lawn garden for al fresco dining.
We opted for the £16.95 two course option. A starter of duck and cognac pate and a carvery main.
My turkey came with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes and roast, carrots, peas, parsnips, leeks, broccoli, stuffing, Yorkshire pud.
After devouring it, we headed back to Louth for a scoop or three of homemade ice cream at Baci & Co, run by Darren and his wife Sandra.
Darren’s love for pudding started when he was given an ice cream maker. Christmasand — with a £6.50 bowl of vanilla, espresso and parma violet flavors, he’s a born confectioner.
It was a sweet ending to our food trip in Lincolnshire Wolds, an affordable alternative to tourist trapsMore cotswolds.
And cut off some of the calories with a brisk walk through Hubbard’s Hill, an area of natural beauty west of Louth.
There are plenty of places to sit and take in the views in shallow water supported by mature trees.
And it’s popular with families picnicking on the bank – easy when a foodie treat is as good as Louth!
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