Melton Mowbray – a guide for visiting this Leicestershire town in 2023
Leicestershire is an underrated county to visit - we've previously published a guide about Market Bosworth, which is a great town in the county, but there are so many other excellent towns too.
Melton Mowbray is another example of a town in this county which we feel is very underrated. The town is often referred to as the Rural Capital of Food, and when you think of Melton Mowbray you might think mostly of pies and cheese, but there is a lot more to this town than food (although the food is great). We wanted to publish a guide for anyone planning to visit the town in 2023, let's get into it:
Where is Melton Mowbray?
The town is in the north east of Leicestershire. Melton Mowbray is 17 miles north-east of Leicester, and 20 miles south-east of Nottingham. If you're travelling from further afield then Melton Mowbray is 130 miles from London.
What is there to do during your time in Melton Mowbray?
Here are some of the best things to do during your time in Melton Mowbray:
Melton Country Park
Melton Mowbray isn't a busy town, but if you're looking for an escape from the bustle of the town centre then Melton Country Park is an excellent place to head to which is only 10 minutes away from the town centre. This park has 140 acres of open green space to explore and is a great place for walking or just sitting and enjoying your surroundings. Expect to see wildlife on the lakes and in the trees, and if you fancy something to eat then there is an excellent cafe in the park too. Highlights of the park include the very well-kept Sensory Garden and 40 Oaks Avenue, from where you can enjoy lovely views across the park. Learn more here - melton.gov.uk
Twinlakes Park
Despite also having "park" in its name, Twinlakes Park is a totally different experience to Melton Country Park. Twinlakes Park is a theme park which is just half a mile to the north of Melton Mowbray and is a great place to head to if you've got a young family to keep entertained. Here you'll find everything from log flumes to indoor play areas, and people are often surprised by how large the park is and how many different rides there are. This theme park is definitely better suited to younger kids aged under 15, but there are also quite a few rides that older kids and even adults can enjoy. A day pass costs as little as £11 for an adult, which is very good value given how many hours of fun you can have here. Learn more and book your tickets here - twinlakespark.co.uk
Melton Carnegie Museum
If you're looking to learn more about the local history of Melton Mowbray then a trip to Melton Carnegie Museum is highly recommended - here you'll find lots of information about the town's connection to food, including the world-famous Stilton cheese and pork pies. But you'll also learn things about Melton Mowbray that will really surprise you, such as the town's connection to the controversial tradition of foxhunting and to famous hunts such as The Quorn Hunt. It's a very well-put-together museum and unlike many of the local museums we write about, there is a real sense that a huge amount of investment has been put into making this museum as interesting as possible. Learn more and plan your visit here - meltonmuseum.org
St Mary's Church
This Grade I listed church is a real gem that many people are blown away by when they see it up close. The oldest parts of the church date back to the 12th century, but most of the church dates from the 13th to the 15th century. It's the largest parish church in Leicestershire and is regarded by many as the prettiest too. The notable features of the church include very well-maintained Norman windows, the tomb of Roger de Mowbray, and the No.6 bell which dates from the 14th century.
Wilton Park
Another excellent park in Melton Mowbray is Wilton Park - you'll find a few play areas here which make for a more relaxed alternative to Twinlakes Park, as well as a lovely little cafe which serves up a range of delicious homemade food (definitely go for the carrot cake). The river flows through the park and it's enjoyable to walk alongside it, plus the wooded area is very nice to explore.
Eat some food
You absolutely must eat some food during your stay in Melton Mowbray - Dickinson & Morris’ Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is one of the most popular places to head to for a traditional pork pie, and is probably our go-to place for a good pie. You can make your own pies at Brockleby’s bakery which is a very fun experience. If you want some local cheese then we'd recommend heading to The Melton Cheeseboard, where you'll find over 150 different varieties of cheese, including the local speciality of Stilton.
Hopefully, we've inspired you to visit Melton Mowbray. If you enjoyed this guide, check out our other guides about other lovely English towns such as Ulverston, Shepton Mallet, and Tring.
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.