From Britain with Love

Southwell is a small Georgian market town in the heart of Nottinghamshire, known for being the home of the Bramley Apple and also Lord Byron, who once proclaimed "I shall never be so happy again as I was in old Southwell". Full of history and character, this little town has lots to see and do and is only 12 miles away from Nottingham City Centre.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Southwell is a bustling town with something for everyone. From the elegance of the Minster Church (pictured), to the gorgeous boutiques and galleries that showcase our local talent, it's the perfect place to while away an Autumn weekend.

We’re lucky to have so many talented local producers, and as a real a foodie it’s a delight to be able to support them (including the one I work for!). There are some great little boutiques and galleries tucked down the side streets and along the narrow high street. For gorgeous home accessories from talented British designers such as Emily Bond, Vanessa Arbuthnott and Jan Constantine pop into The Hen House (pictured), or Nellie in the Shed where you get a little bag of treats from the local old-fashioned sweet shop with everything you buy.

At Mix Mix boutique you'll want to treat yourself to something new and beautiful, while Twice a Lady is a pre-loved fashion boutique that always has something a little bit different. For tasty treats visit The Old Theatre Deli whose shelves are full of produce from local food heroes, and there are plenty of local independent shops to browse.

Where to start...?! Close to the town there are all sorts of foodie delights, from the most amazing ice creams at Newfield Dairy's new ice cream parlour, to The Old Sweet Shop on the high street. You can take a trip to the Welbeck Estate, home to The School of Artisan Food and a great farm shop where you can buy all sorts of local produce from Welbeck Abbey Beer to Boutique Aromatique Chocolates and traditional breads from The Welbeck Bakehouse, and the nearby Harley Gallery is worth a wander around too.

For places to eat, we’re spoilt with lots of lovely country pubs. My favourite is the Spread Eagle at Hockerton where you’ll find daily specials showcasing some of the area’s best local foods, including our own Alderton Ham and Smoked Duck (pictured). We've been producing our signature marmalade glazed hams for nearly 40 years, and the range has grown to include pates, smoked meats, poultry and traditional Christmas puddings. We were delighted to be featured as one of Rick Stein's Food Heroes (you can find out more about how our hams are made here).

If it’s a sunny day, take a walk across the fields from Southwell to Moreton and reward yourself at The Full Moon with a pint of locally brewed beer. La Parisienne on the high street is a French-Moroccan restaurant which always offers a warm welcome and delicious food. For lunchtime, head to the Minster Café in the grounds of the Minster where you can enjoy homecooked food and watch the world go by.

The Old Vicarage Hotel offers stylish boutique accommodation (pictured), while The Old Forge, a former blacksmiths cottage, is a charming traditional B&B. The Saracens Head Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in the town, originally built in the 12th century, and is full or period charm and character.

If you’re feeling creative, The Glass Studio on Southwell high street offers workshops in glass art, and there is also lovely pottery painting studio called Fired Arts & Crafts (pictured). Foodies should head to nearby Claypole where you’ll find That’s Amore Italian Family Kitchen & Cookery School where you can hone your pasta-making skills, or book in for their monthly GuestoResto Pop-Up Restaurant.

You can’t leave Southwell without soaking up the atmosphere in the Minster, which has various events and concerts throughout the year, but to be honest its just a good place to spend five minutes of quietness. Around the corner is Southwell Workhouse, a National Trust property built in 1824, which tells the story of the people who lived and worked there. It’s the most complete workhouse remaining in England and definitely worth a stop off.

There's something going on in Southwell all year round, but autumn is always fun when the town hosts the annual Bramley Apple Festival with all sorts of apple themed events taking place around the town. In November there’s the fabulous Magic of Christmas Fair (pictured) at the nearby East Bridgeford Hill where local designers, makers and food producers gather to showcase their wares in the setting of a beautiful Georgian country house.