LUDLOW has been named as one of the UK's best towns by consumer experts, Which?

More than 9,000 members rated the inland towns and villages they'd visited based on a number of criteria. 

This included food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, attractiveness, shopping, and peace and quiet. 

Ludlow gained an overall score of 79 per cent, placing it eighth in the list. However, it was the only town that score five out of five for food and drink.

Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive officer of Oakman Group, owner of the recently opened George Inn pub, said that there is something magical that makes the town so attractive. 

"I was very excited when we found The George in the town centre, which we opened a couple of weeks ago having carefully restored and extended it with our vision of what we thought the people of Ludlow might like," he said.

"There’s something rather nice about having your expectations endorsed, and this recognition by Which? confirms the town is every bit as special as I’d originally believed.

"We have found that the community is kind, supportive and involved in their town, the local traders care about their reputation and in old-fashioned values. And then of course it is almost impossible to find something grown or made locally that isn’t delicious and of outstanding quality. We consider ourselves very lucky to be a part of this unique and thriving community.”

Reuban Crouch, co-owner of CSIONS Cafe, agreed.

"It always comes down to the fact that Ludlow is surrounded by farmers producers that leads to people using that produce and making excellent food," said Mr Crouch.

"We've invested in and supported these producers who continue to produce excellence and quality."

It wasn't just Ludlow who scored well. Just outside the top 10 in 11th place is Church Stretton, who scored 78 per cent overall, performing particularly well in the scenery category. 

Top scoring overall was Wells, in Somerset.