Mary Dickinson

Mary Dickinson (Grandmother of John Dickinson), a noted pork pie maker, is credited with using the first wooden dolly to raise the pastry case: she is considered as the originator of the hand raised Melton Mowbray pork pie.

This technique creates the bow-walled appearance that we know and love today.

Did you know?

Did you know? ...that until the late 18th century, huntsmen always wore green. Then a surplus of red cloth used for 'redcoat' soldiers after the American War of Independence led a tailor named Pink to produce coats of this material. It easily marked out the leaders of the hunt, Thus hunting 'pinks' came into fashion.

John Dickinson's Bakery

John Dickinson opened his bakery in Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray in 1851. Exactly where Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is today.

Did you know?

Did you know? ...that Melton Mowbray street market dates from before 1077.

Hunt Cake

One of our most popular items, the Melton Hunt Cake, was first made in 1854.

Did you know?

Did you know? ...that a Saxon cemetery of 50-60 graves was found in Melton Mowbray, showing that they had a settlement here after the Romans left.

Dickinson & Morris

Dickinson & Morris: Only when Joseph Morris joined in 1886, did the brand Dickinson & Morris come about.

Did you know?

Did you know? ...Stilton ‘the King of English cheese’ is only made in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. An 8Kg Stilton cheese takes around 18 gallons of local milk to produce and at least two months to mature.

The midnight steeplechase

A midnight steeplechase through the streets of Melton Mowbray took place on Monday 10th March 1890.

Did you know?

Did you know? ...Perhaps the most impressive church in Leicestershire, St. Mary's Church was home to the famous organist and choirmaster Sir Malcolm Sargent from 1914 to 1924. Dating from 1170 and the size of a cathedral, St. Mary's has beautiful stained glass windows - 48 on one side!

PGI Status

The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie now has a PGI Status, granted in 2009. This means it has to be made within a certain geographical location.

If you draw a line around Stamford, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton and Grantham, you’ll find Melton Mowbray is in the middle!

Did you know?

Did you know? ...the Carnegie Museum on Thorpe End has displays on pork pies, Stilton cheese, paintings of hunting by John Ferneley and Melton's famous two-headed calf!