WIGMORE
Claire Gutteridge
Writer with a passion for food and drink
Fort to Fork
Wigmore- have you heard of it? Are you intrigued to know more? For many of us, there are key factors when planning a trip– whether it be abroad or the UK. Let’s face it, there’s never been a better time to endeavour to discover and appreciate what the UK has to offer. There is an never ending list of places to go and see - much more than many of us have probably considered. If you are an avid enthusiast of finding places off the beaten track (which Wigmore is) and of good food and drink, then read on for plenty of helpful information about Wigmore and the surrounding area.
Wigmore in a nutshell…
The historic village of Wigmore (roughly translated from Old English as Quaking Marsh) is located eight miles west of Ludlow, in the northwest area of Herefordshire. The area, to be exact is in the Welsh Marches: a well-defined border region where England and Wales exquisitely collide. A quaint village complete with its own collection of black and white timber framed buildings – for which Herefordshire is well known. Wigmore also offers a country pub and an Michelin Guide approved eatery, along with a good selection of accommodation for visitors. Nestled in splendid rolling hills and immersed in the romance of antiquity, the idyllic location delivers the ideal opportunity to relax and just be, while doing whatever your heart loves. The scenery really is as pretty as a picture, whether it be the perfectly planned photo or a spontaneous insta-worthy snapshot.
History
History touches us no matter what our age. From the awe and wonder of brave battles fought and won (and lost), to the romance of castles with their Kings and Queens, princes and princesses, and what of the stories the stones of the very walls themselves would tell us if they could speak? Thanks to the wonderful gift of the above mentioned perfectly located collision of England and Wales, Wigmore offers up a bounty of historical interests for visitors to enjoy. Therefore, if you have a love of history - bingo!
Though there’s evidence of Roman settlement a couple of miles from Wigmore, St James Church, which stands on the pinnacle of a hill overlooking the village dates Wigmore to the Anglo Saxon age. The Norman era placed Wigmore on the map as a fort for dissidents against the Normans and consequently a castle was born. The castle has an impressive and interesting history, changing with times ebbs and flows, bringing it to its romantic ruin status of today.
Fun fact – The castle was central to the twisted love story of King Edward II’s wife, Isabella of France’s affair with Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, who held the castle at that time. To cut a most intriguing story short, Isabella and Roger are said to have led an army that swept across England, their actions leading to the unseating and passing of the King, leaving Roger as one of the most important men in the land.
The ruins have now been purposefully conserved by English Heritage for visitors to enjoy in their natural state and are free to enter. There are also the nearby remains of Norman era born Augustinian Wigmore abbey.
Nature
The area’s connection with nature is boundless and we all have our Mother Nature’s soft spots: a sentimental fondness - whether it be wildlife, fauna, flora, landscape, environment or how we explore it. Lesser horseshoe bats are now the residents of Wigmore castle, alongside wildflowers. The castle being a place where nature and history now intertwine, adding to its reputation of being one of England’s most remarkable castle ruins. The surrounding landscape includes beautiful forestry and Wigmore Rolls: the child summit of Beacon Hill, all waiting to be explored. The summit is 288m high and sure to offer tranquillity and majestic views for those that search it. Many people find the best ways to enjoy the nature of the Wigmore area are walking and cycling. Both are encouraged with many route options to choose from including the Wigmore circular walk: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/walking-1/herefordshire-circular-walks/13
Local Food
Getting out and exploring inevitably leads to a hungry tummy! The best way to sample local food and drink of the area that you’re visiting is to taste it cooked fresh, from field to fork: eat locally. I have found that speaking to a restaurant, pub, café or bar, either prior to or during your visit about their local suppliers helps you as a consumer understand what the local food, drink and ethos is all about. As well as supporting other local businesses, the use of local and often seasonal ingredients can give dishes authenticity and credibility, enhancing the diners experience of all the local area has to offer. Using local suppliers that are no more than just a short drive away also guarantees the chosen produce is not compromised on quality during the delivery process while also being eco friendly. Herefordshire and the neighbouring areas of Shropshire and Powys offer a plethora of outstanding food and drink produce suppliers. Below is a small selection that you may sample while visiting the area.
Meats
Two words: Hereford Beef. Lovers of meat will already know this traditional British beef breed is synonymous with flavour and quality. Based in Craven Arms, local purveyor of rare breed beef and other meats: D W Wall & Son Butchers: facebook.com/D-W-Wall-Son-Butchers ensure that a variety of traditional breeds and locally reared meats including Hereford Beef reaches the plates of those that search for it. North Herefordshire offers food aficionados an excellent supplier for lamb, hogget and mutton: Ed and the team at Perry Wood Farm : www.facebook.com/perrywoodfarm Perry Wood Farm produce is renowned for its quality and taste and can be sought at local Farmers markets, as well as on plates, served by local Hospitality.
Fish
Hmmm, yes - Herefordshire is landlocked geographically, so where would one start when choosing a supplier for fish, whether it be for business or for one’s own pleasure? Smoked salmon became a “thing” for me after a recent experience reviewing outstandingly excellent quality fish. Once you have savoured a respectable tasting smoked salmon, mass produced smoked salmon, lacking in that wonderful depth of flavour just doesn’t cut it anymore. Lay and Robson, based in Herefordshire: www.layandrobson.co.uk use salmon from the Scottish Highlands: widely recognised as one of the best places in the world to source salmon. Jamie of Lay and Robson expertly takes the salmon through a smoking process that creates an artisan product at the finish line. It’s a yes from me.
Eggs
It’s official - happy hens make for delicious eggs and delicious eggs make for delectable dishes, whether it’s a golden hued homemade Victoria sponge cake or a chef created sublime souffle. Country Flavours eggs of Hereford: www.country-flavours.co.uk can be trusted to help deliver golden and sublime. The key to those rich coloured yolks and first class egg whites? Alice pampers her hens and it obviously works!
Fruit & Veg
Let’s talk salad. The rise of the humble salad as part of a dish has meant that salad now delivers more. I feel a salad should be as enjoyable as the rest of the dish and no longer a meek garnish. Lane cottage Produce: lanecottageproduce.co.uk founders Richard and Mandy profess “It’s all about the salad” and I tend to agree! Lane Cottage’s environmentally harmonious salad and leaves allows creation of a visual and flavoursome delight on a plate.
If you find local produce you taste and love, then why not see if you can purchase the item locally to take home or order online once returned from your travels?
Thus, it’s undoubtedly safe to say, that from just touching on the area of Wigmore and some of the local produce available from the area close by, there’s an abundance to enjoy, whether it’s a fortress or fare.
Whether it’s Wigmore Rolls in Spring or a plate of food including local ingredients in Autumn, I feel Wigmore would continue to deliver, season to season.
