Melton Mowbray Crowned Britain's Pie Capital

Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire has been named the best destination for pie lovers in a recent study by LateRooms. The historic market town scored 79.4 out of 100, largely due to its protected status for the Melton Mowbray pork pie and the success of local producers.

The study analyzed 50 UK towns and cities based on four criteria: award points (50%), award-winning producers (10%), the number of pie shops and butchers (20%), and pubs serving pies (20%).

Darwen in Lancashire secured the second position with a score of 59.2. Despite having a similar population to Melton Mowbray, Darwen boasts twice as many pie shops and pubs serving pies. The town is noted for establishments like The Crown & Thistle, offering six varieties of pies, and The Pie Hole Darwen, which has received numerous positive reviews.

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, ranked third with 58.8 points. The town features numerous award-winning producers, having accumulated seven gold medals. It offers 22 pie shops and 56 pubs that serve pies, including The Old Mill Bakery and The Foxglove, known for its Hawkstone IPA and beef pie.

Barnard Castle in County Durham surprised researchers by placing fourth with 53.8 points. As the second-smallest location in the study with a population of 5,785, it has five pie shops, averaging one for every 1,157 residents. Local producers have earned two gold medals.

Nottingham, the only city in the top ten, came in fifth. Its local producers have won 45 medals, and it has five award-winning pie makers. However, with a population nearing 300,000, it has only 68 pubs and 25 shops serving pies.

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, ranked sixth with a score of 50.4. Local pie makers have received 18 awards, including four golds, and the town has 18 pubs and 12 shops and bakeries offering pies.

Arbroath, Scotland, was named the best pie town in Scotland and placed seventh overall with 50.2 points. This coastal town has ten shops and 19 pubs serving pies to its population of 23,500, and its local producers have earned three gold medals.

Alfreton, Derbyshire, took eighth place with 50 points. It stands out for having the highest concentration of pubs serving pies, with 16 identified for a population under 9,000.

Wigan, Greater Manchester, known for its pies, ranked ninth with 47.2 points. The town has 34 pie shops and bakeries, including Baldy's Pies, which offers specialties like the 'Big Jim' beef shin pie.

Kendal, Cumbria, rounded out the top ten with an overall score of 46.7 points. It offers 24 pubs and 11 shops and bakeries serving pies. The town also provides scenic attractions such as Kendal Castle and the River Kent.