Shropshire Cream Tea Trail – the chair’s awards
I’m not allowed to vote or have an opinion in the actual awards, but here’s a few observations from my tour round the baker’s dozen of tearooms that have been on the trail for 2019. Do continue to try them out and see if your views coincide with those of the judges which will be announced at 10am on 13 September at Ludlow Food Festival
Best view from a tearoom
Wildgoose Nursery with a phenomenal view of Brown Clee looming over their wonderful walled garden. Delightful to sit outside and relax.
Smallest tearoom
Local to Ludlow at the corner of Market can seat about 4 people inside. It’s cosy but allows you to browse all the lovely local produce on offer
Best art show
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre has a great exhibition on at the moment from members of the Marches Embroiderers and Textile Guild
Biggest Scones
Close one this but I think Stokesay Castle just shades Local to Ludlow for size.
Most chatty tearoom
Thyme in Bishops Castle probably wins this award – but it could be because it’s my local cafe and so I go there more!
Award for innovation
The Maltings Cafe in Clun decided that they should make an important part of the cream tea and after much experimentation make their own clotted cream
Most drinkable tearoom
Not so much for tea, but for its fantastic wine Kerry Vale Vineyard wins this hands down. The judges couldn’t resist taking a bottle or two home with them
Most literary tearoom
Jemima’s Kitchen in Church Stretton offers daily papers plus the opportunity to borrow some books for your stay – and even a reference section
Most types of homemade jam
Dower House Garden at Morville has far too many types of jam to count – all made from fruit grown in the garden there. They also have a long selection of drinks to go with your tea.
Most posters
I think this goes to Tea on the Square in Much Wenlock. Three big posters advertising the cream tea trail
Best local information
The Bog Visitor Centre is up there, but as I work there I can’t give them an award. Hat’s off to The Willow Cafe in Ditton Priors who explain about nuclear bunkers, the lost railway, mining on Brown Clee plus also having a book of varied local walks. For caravanners of a certain age it is also home to Aquaroll
Mass catering
Big thanks to Jess at Ludlow Kitchen who turned up with trays of scones ready-made with jam and cream for the launch
Humanity Award
Marie Kreft, one of our judges, lost her purse, went shopping on the way home before discovering it was missing, and a lovely couple bagged up all the shopping and paid for it. And even better the intact purse was handed in to police and returned to her.
Many thanks to Marie Kreft, Karen Thorne and Eliz-Anne Williams for adding a few inches in the name of mystery shopping the tearooms and judging the finalists.
Thanks to Ludlow Farm for sponsoring the print, and Ludlow Food Festival and Slow Food Ludlow Marches who have supported our efforts in promoting the Shropshire Prune Damson.
