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Melton Facts

Did you know? ...that the Domesday Survey of 1086 refers to Medeltone (Melton Mowbray) as having a market, two water mills, two priests and a population of 200?

Did you know? ...that Henry VIII had six wives and that he had two of them executed? Luckily, Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife, survived - and lived in Melton Mowbray.

Melton Facts

Did you know? ...that the milk used to make Stilton cheese also produces whey, which is an excellent pig food - which is why pigs were kept, and why pork pies soon started to be made in the area.

Hunting Pinks

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.

Melton Facts

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

Melton Facts

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.

Melton Facts

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.

Melton Facts

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!

Melton Facts

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!