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Town and civil parish in Shropshire, England
Photo: Shropshire&TelfordTSB, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ludlow....is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building. Ludlow is a town at the south edge of Shropshire, a stone’s throw from the County of Hereford and 13 miles from the Welsh border. It has a fine castle and a beautiful historic centre lined with medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings. With a population of 10,000 in 2024, it also has an abundance of quality eating places.
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Splendid castle, first built in stone by the Normans around 1075 AD, repeatedly strengthened during later conflicts and converted into a palace in the 16th / 17th centuries. It was a Royalist stronghold during the Civil Wars so after the Parliamentarians won it became neglected. It was repaired during the 20th century.
Imposing parish church, the earliest parts are 11th century with the stocky bell tower added in the 15th.
The town museum is within the historic Buttercross, a market hall built 1746.
Beautiful 13th-century fortified manor house run by English Heritage.
This hosts Pentabus Theatre, Ludwig Theatre Arts, and a cinema.
The town's leisure centre has a gym and swimming pool.
Stylish cafe with a good menu selection.
Classic continental cuisine.
18th-century farmhouse, now a restaurant with good dining, also has 17 rooms.
Trad fare, run by the adjacent Farm Shop.
A long-time entry in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. With rooms and decent food.
Large pub in the heart of town serving Joule's beers.
Pleasant pub with beer garden. Good food, dogs welcome in the bar area.
Microbrewery and taproom, tours available.
Charming half-timbered building with comfy rooms and good dining. Dog-friendly.
Pleasant pub with nine rooms by the river bridge, good reviews for dining.
Welcoming comfy B&B a ten minute walk from town.
Convenient for motorists, some facilities tired but okay for a short stay. Next to Squirrel pub.
Good spa facilities but mixed reviews for hotel service, comfort and dining.
Well-run caravan site open all year, good facilities.
Modern self-catering rooms in Victorian farm buildings.
Upscale country hotel in a converted farmstead, great dining. No children under 12.
Six self-catering rooms, they no longer offer B&B.
Small independent bookshop with knowledgeable staff.
The town's independent chocolatier.
Well-regarded family-run clothes shop, in business since 1860.
Ludlow Food Centre
Great range of quality local produce.
By train
From London either travel from Euston and change at Crewe, or from Paddington and change at Newport. Both routes take about 3 hr 15 min.
By bus
Minsterley Motors Bus 435 runs from Shrewsbury, taking 1 hr 15 min via Church Stretton and Craven Arms. It's hourly M-F, every two hours Sa, no Sunday service.
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Birmingham, West Midlands · International · BHX
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