Central England: Ludlow, Shropshire

Distance: 3km/2 miles
Time: 1-2 hrs
Type: Town tour
Where: Ludlow, south Shropshire
Start/End: Ludlow Castle entrance (SO509746)
Terrain: Paved Streets: uneven surfaces on Whitclliffe.
Maps: OS Explorer 203: Landranger 137.

Ludlow was described as “the loveliest town in England” by the late Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, and for many this still holds true today. It’s a few miles from the Welsh border and surrounded by excellent walking country. The Shropshire Hills, including the Long Mynd and Stiperstones, are a few miles to the north. The fine town castle sits high above the River Teme and was built in AD1080-90 - a few years after the conquest – by Walter de Lacy as defence against the Welsh. Now owned by the Earl of Powis, it is well worth a visit. For 500 years, Ludlow’s main industry was the wool trade and, at one stage, there were eleven mills on the fast-flowing Teme. The increasing prosperity of the town is reflected in its many fine buildings and large parish church.

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