Melton is getting the world’s ‘first’ pork pie museum

The world’s ‘first’ pork pie museum has opened in Leicestershire. The foodie attraction is at the newly renovated and expanded “Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe” in – where else? – Melton.

The shop is the oldest and only pork pie bakery and shop in town. Described as “a fascinating, one-of-a-kind museum”, the attraction features historic artefacts and archive photographs chronicling the history of the famous Melton Mowbray pork pie.

The local delicacy dates back to the 1790s, when Mary Dickinson was credited with making the first pie to be raised by hand with a wooden dolly. Melton Mowbray Pork Pie has been granted protected status by the Government, meaning it must be made in the area and adhere to certain recipe specifications, including the use of uncured pork to be named so.

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Visitors can see images showing how a hand-raised Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is made and a photographic exhibition depicting the origins of both Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe.

Features of the original Shoppe building will be marked with small plaques detailing their dates and stories, including 17th century timber beams and walls, the original chimney from the old Corn Exchange and medieval brickwork.

The opening of the new museum was also marked by the creation of a new, limited edition delicacy called ‘Best of Melton Pork Pie’. “Gather(s) some of Melton’s best artisan produce” – a British free range pork pie topped with the famous “Paint the Town Red” Red Ale Chutney and creamy Stilton from the local dairy Long Clawson melted on top.

It will be available in the Shoppe and is available for pre-order online. The Shoppe will also host regular events from in-store tastings from local purveyors and pork plate-making demonstrations, a spokesperson said. The museum is free to enter.