What’s going for it? Melton Mowbray has the kind of name that sounds just like it is: rich, full-bodied, plump, Ken Clarke-crossed-with-Brian-Blessed, rounded and pink. Like a pie. They’re proud of their pies round here, and rightly so. The locals campaigned tirelessly and successfully for them to be protected with PGI status, like Stornoway black puddings and Yorkshire Wensleydale. They have pie festivals and eating contests. Cafes and sundry butchers trumpet them in their windows. Vegetarians are welcome, too, though. Melton Mowbray is one of only a few spots allowed to produce stilton, and the fates of pies and cheese have been entangled here for centuries: the pigs raised for the pies were fed the whey left over from cheesemaking. Veggie or nose-to-tail, though, one thing’s for sure: move here and you’d better like food. After all, this is, toots its town signs, the “Rural Capital of Food”.
The case against… The town itself is modest enough. It’s all about food. Suffers rather from commuter-itis, surrounded by ballooning suburbs. “Gentle” (aka a tad boring) countryside.
Well connected? Trains: hourly to Leicester (16 mins) and Birmingham (68 mins) one way, Peterborough (40 mins), Cambridge (90 mins) and, eventually, Stansted Airport the other; you can make London in 90 minutes, with a change at Leicester. Driving: 30 mins to Leicester, a little more to Nottingham, 30 mins to the M1 and a little more to East Midlands airport.
Schools Mixed. Primaries: Brownlow is “good”, and Swallowdale “outstanding”, says Ofsted. Secondaries: John Ferneley College is “good”.
Hang out at… The 14th-century Anne of Cleves pub, once home to monks. Or the Noel Arms, with its Gas Dog brewery. Nice Pie for, er, pies.
Where to buy The best homes are south, on and off Dalby Road, and the wodge between it and Burton Road – good Victorians. Keep looking as far as Burton Lazars. Also, north, on and off Scalford Road. You won’t want for suburbans. Cheaper Victorians fringe the town centre. Large detacheds and town houses, £300,000-£700,000. Detacheds, £180,000-£300,000. Semis, £130,000-£250,000. Terraces and cottages, £100,000-£180,000. Flats, £80,000-£200,000. Rentals: one-bedroom flat, £300-£500pcm; three-bedroom house, £500-£650pcm.
Bargain of the week A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house, just off Burton Road; needs updating; £119,950 with newtonfallowell.co.uk.
From the streets
Judy Wills “At Miss B’s Tearooms, step back in time to enjoy poached egg on muffins, and cakes to die for. Nostalgia-laden heaven.”
Jan Cadwallader “Having tea and toasted teacakes at the Pavilion Café is a must.”
John Horn “Desperately needs a bypass. Heavy vehicles regularly clog up the town.”
• Do you live in Tottenham, north London? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 10 November.
