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Ludlow Tourist Information and Travel Guide in the county of Shropshire.
The historical market town of Ludlow in south Shropshire overlooks the River Teme. Sitting atop a small hill, this English town is located close to the Welsh borders with views to the Clee Hills. Famed for its ancient castle, Ludlow has also become well known for the Food & Drink Festival, which is held here annually.
Ludlow, beautifully situated in the Welsh Marches, has much to offer visitors with its wealth of medieval buildings, unique shops and festivals, and sporting opportunities.
The town grew up around the 11th century Ludlow Castle. The castle is one of the finest in the Welsh Marches and is open to the public throughout the year. It is also the venue for many of the town’s events including the Ludlow Food and Drink Festival, Ludlow Craft Festival, the Marches Festival of Transport and the Ludlow Festival, which hosts an open-air production of a Shakespeare play. Ludlow Castle The Spring Festival
Ludlow Festival With its reputation for excellent food and drink, it isn’t surprising that the town hosts a dedicated festival. The Ludlow Food and Drink Festival, held inside Ludlow Castle, attracts visitors from overseas as well as from the UK and has many fun events along with the more serious food-related business.
The Feathers Hotel is a remarkable early 17th century coaching inn and is still a prestigious hotel today. This Jacobean building, where Royalist soldiers were billeted during the Civil War, gets its name from the ostrich feather decoration on the facade.
One of the largest in the county, and sometimes referred to as ‘The Cathedral of the Marches’, the parish church of St Laurence dates mainly from the 15th century. This lovely church has some fine stained glass – medieval and later – and, in the churchyard, you will find a commemoration to A. E. Housman, the author of ‘A Shropshire Lad’.
Ludlow Museum has a wide collection of exhibits including Prehistoric and Roman artefacts, fine art – prints, paintings and engravings – and an archaeology collection that represents some 10,000 years of Shropshire’s history. Leisure activities, too, abound in Ludlow. Being close to the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s the perfect base for walking, horse riding, fishing, cycling and golf.
Whether you’re into short walks or lengthier hikes, dedicated routes are way-marked; easier strolls include Whitcliffe Common and Mortimer Forest while the Clee Hills – Shropshire’s highest point – offers a forest trail and a route to the summit. For the more adventurous, there’s Offa’s Dyke, the 30-mile Mortimer Trail and the Shropshire Way, which will take you across the entire county.
Guided Tours of Ludlow town are also available. Taking around an hour and a half, the tour includes a look at the architecture and the guide regales stories of past characters who once lived here. The tours are available at weekends and bank holidays from Easter to October and weekdays in June and July. Meeting point is at the cannon outside the castle at 2.30 pm.
Enjoy your stay in Ludlow with our Ludlow accommodation selection.
