5 Great Tastes of Summer

As the summer sun warms the people and places of Telford, our restaurants, cafes and riverbanks come alive with new flavours to try.

Whether you want to picnic by the river, eat sustainably beneath leafy trees or rub shoulders with local artisans over afternoon tea, there’s a foodie experience in Telford for you. And we haven’t even mentioned our great restaurants yet! 

All you have to do is arrive hungry!

1. Picnic beneath the trees

Stop off at The Green Wood Café to rub shoulders with friendly locals and fill your tummy with vegan and veggie treats. You can sit outside in the dappled light of the summer sun, watch the world go by in the buzzing café, or order your food to go. This family-run, independent local treasure is in the pretty woodlands between Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale. Jody and her team have worked hard to create a nurturing environment. Sustainability and inclusivity is at the heart of the café’s menus. The coffee is specially blended and roasted to order, food is local wherever possible and there’s only one word to describe the all-day brunch options: yummy! Beers come from The Coracle Nanopub, is an on-site beer fridge stocked with care by the nearby Coracle Micro pub – it’s perfect for the café’s summery woodland beer garden vibes! There’s a pop-up plant shop, too. 

2. Dine in a quaint market town 

The Walnut is another local treasure with a big reputation. You’ll soon see why this place is such a favourite with locals, and why it’s won so many awards. The restaurant occupies a warm and welcoming spot in a Grade II-listed town house on Wellington’s medieval Market Square. On a warm summer’s evening, bag a seat outside on the small terrace and watch the world go by as you feast on dishes such as Ironbridge cheese grilled with honey, fig and walnuts, mussels with Shropshire salami chorizo or their signature double Wicksteads burger with Moyden’s smoked cheese. The cocktail menu is the stuff of local legend – literally! Some of the drinks are inspired by Wellington’s most famous people and places. 

3. Have a riverside picnic 

We can’t think of a better way to while away a summer’s day than picnicking by the River Severn… Unless that picnic was prepared by Sarah at Grays of Shropshire! Order the Slate Board selection and you’ll be the envy of the riverbank as you feast on local cheeses, perfect pickles, smoked salmon on sourdough, a Waldorf Salad, local Bresaola and charcuterie and ‘The Oinker’ (a gourmet sausage roll by Coopers). Wash it down with a bottle of local ale, wine or fizz and some sweet-tasting English strawberries. It’s an easy walk from Grays in Ironbridge to the River Severn, where you can stroll along the riverbank as far as you please. We’re guessing you won’t get far before the temptation of your picnic hamper becomes too much!

4. Book a table with the wow factor

All of the seating areas in The Red House in Lilleshall are beautifully crafted for an indulgent dining experience! Think cosy booths, industrial lighting, sumptuous fabrics and contemporary art. There’s even an outdoor fire pit with chairs set around it in the secret garden-esque outdoor area. It’s the perfect spot for an atmospheric dinner on a summer’s evening. On the menu: stone baked pizzas, Nduja chicken kiev, pumpkin and king oyster mushroom risotto and poached fig Eton mess – all beautifully presented. Or you could go for the three-course bottomless brunch.

5. Tuck in this artisan haven

The Tile Press Café occupies a special place in the and heart and soul of Maws Craft Centre. It’s a corner of calm in the creative whirl of the centre, spread across the historic, red-brick courtyard and an indoor garden room. One of the tables even has a swing seat! Come here for breakfast, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, with a Mediterranean twist. On weekends, check to see if they’re running street food events. You’ll be eating alongside the artisans who work in Maws, locals and other holidaymakers lucky enough to have stumbled across this gorgeous spot.