No visit to Market Drayton is complete without tasting the town’s most famous treat.
For more than 200 years, Market Drayton has been known as the Home of Gingerbread, with a heritage that stretches back to the late 18th century. The famous Billington’s recipe dates from 1817 and is still lovingly made in the town today using one of Britain’s oldest gingerbread recipes.
Whether you’re visiting for the day, exploring the independent shops or following the Market Drayton Discovery Trail, make sure gingerbread is on your summer to-do list.
Learn the Story
Did you know Market Drayton’s gingerbread was once exported around the world?
The town’s gingerbread heritage is closely linked with the spice trade, local family bakeries and centuries of tradition. Several Market Drayton bakers each guarded their own secret recipes, helping to establish the town’s reputation as the Home of Gingerbread.
You can discover more about this fascinating history by visiting Market Drayton Museum, where you’ll uncover the stories behind the famous recipe and learn how gingerbread became one of the town’s best-known traditions.
You can also read more before your visit:
https://makeitmarketdrayton.com/the-gingerbread-story/
Taste It
Of course, history is even better when you can taste it!
Billington’s Gingerbread is still made right here in Market Drayton using the traditional recipe that has been passed down through generations. Crisp, lightly spiced and famous for being perfect for dunking in a cup of tea or coffee, it’s a treat that visitors have enjoyed for generations.
Buy Some Before You Leave
Before heading home, don’t forget to pick up a pack of authentic Market Drayton gingerbread to enjoy later or share with family and friends.
You can buy Billington’s Gingerbread from a number of shops and cafés across the town, including The Fields Kitchen, which occupies the very building where Billington’s Gingerbread was first baked in 1817 and of course The Drayton Deli.
It’s the perfect souvenir from your visit—and a delicious reminder of your day in Market Drayton.
Make a Gingerbread Day Out
Why not make gingerbread part of your visit?
• Explore the historic town centre.
• Complete the free Market Drayton Discovery Trail.
• Visit Market Drayton Museum to discover the town’s fascinating heritage.
• Browse the independent shops.
• Stop for lunch or coffee in one of our welcoming cafés.
• Pick up some famous Billington’s Gingerbread before you head home.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or rediscovering Market Drayton, there’s no better way to experience the town than by tasting a piece of its history.
To find out more about Market Drayton’s gingerbread heritage, visit:
https://makeitmarketdrayton.com/discover-the-famous-gingerbread-of-market-drayton/
And to plan the rest of your visit, including walks, events, attractions and family activities, head to:
https://makeitmarketdrayton.com/
