I've just got back from a weekend in Ludlow, spent wandering around their justifiably famous Medieval Christmas Fayre - which is held inside the grounds of the picturesque Ludlow Castle, which dates to the appropriate period of history, adding authenticity, not that such a thing was lacking.

As well as the expected New Age nonsense, there were some seriously good fun things to see, eat and do at the Fayre - stalls selling local crafts and food and drink, archery to have a go at, sword fights to watch, and best of all, everyone was in medieval dress (some stalls actually sell it!)
This continued into the town, where people were dressed up in the pubs and shops - so the atmosphere followed you home.

We stayed at the Bromley Court B&B - HIGHLY recommended - it's three separate cottages, with dedicated entrances, so you have loads of privacy, the place was gorgeous inside, with such attention to detail - plasters supplied in the bathroom, for example, and local honey for breakfast! They supply all the fixings of a DIY breakfast - cereal, toast, fruits, yoghurt, ham, boiled eggs, cheese, croissants etc, as well as useful things like vinegar, salt, pepper, sauces, and teas, coffees and hot chocolate so you can happily camp out for a few days and just buy easy meals.

Ludlow is also famous for its association with the Slow Food movement, and has an annual Food Festival - I'm going next year, I've decided!

If you want a weekend away from it all, in gorgeous surroundings (the Shropshire landscape is lovely, and there is loads to do nearby as well), then give Ludlow a whirl.