15 things to do in Ludlow

Hello from Ludlow, where I’m currently staying with my grandparents! This medieval market town is one I know well – I have, after all, come here at least thrice a year since I was born – and yet it is only now that I’m getting round to writing about the place. Just a stone’s throw from Wales, it’s a destination packed with history, which will enchant culture lovers and shopaholics alike. Keep reading to discover fifteen of the best things to do if you ever get the chance to visit!

Visit the castle

Ludlow Castle, a magnificent eleventh-century fortress, is probably the town’s number one attraction. It may be classified as ruined, but people of all ages will be fascinated by its dilapidated walls, imposing towers, and dank cellars. This place is also the picturesque venue of countless events, from art exhibitions, to Shakespeare performances, to Christmas fairs, so check before you arrive whether anything will be on during your stay!

Visit St Laurence’s Church

St Laurence’s Church is another landmark that should be high up on your to-do list. Entry is free, and a wander round the building will take you from the Lady Chapel, with its impressive stained glass window, to the chancel, with its carved wooden choir stalls and magnificent reredos, to the north transept with its grand, eighteenth-century organ. Concerts are regularly held here, so if you're a music lover, be sure to check the Ludlow Arts website before your visit.

See the city from above

Still not got enough of this church? Pay £4 (less than €5), and climb its tower, for extraordinary views over Ludlow. Alternatively, save your pennies and look down on the town from the hilltop Whitcliffe Common. You’ll get a fantastic outlook over all the main landmarks, and, when you’ve soaked up this sight, will be able to enjoy a brisk stroll through Mortimer Forest, and down to the gushing River Teme.

Go on a walk

The Whitcliffe Common Nature Reserve and Mortimer Forest are just two of Ludlow’s great walking locations. If you’re keen to get some exercise in during your stay, why not also check out:

1. The road from Ludlow to Priors Halton: there’s not an awful lot to see on this walk, but if country lanes are your sort of thing, this is where you should head.
2. Brown Clee Hill: this is a particular favourite in my family, offering splendid views over the surrounding countryside, as well as a close-up look at the superb Iron Age hill fort that is Nordy Bank.
3. Offa’s Dyke: walk along the England-Wales border, and enjoy some fantastic scenery and wildlife as you go.

Admire Ludlow’s architecture

One of the things that makes Ludlow such an extraordinary place to visit is the beauty of its buildings. Have a wander up and down the hills of the town, making sure to look out in particular for:

1. The Feathers Hotel: one of Ludlow’s most memorable listed buildings, with a Tudor-style half-timbered façade and diamond pane windows.
2. The Broad Gate: the town’s only surviving medieval gate, with its thirteenth-century archway and Gothic, castle-like façade.
3. The Buttercross: a seventeenth-century structure at the top of Broad Street, built as a venue for butter markets, and now home to the Ludlow Museum.

Go swimming

If, after all this walking, you’re still bursting with energy, why not go for a swim? Teme Leisure is the best place to do this: they have three different pools, as well as diving boards and flumes. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even relax and unwind in the spa room on site. Here, you'll find everything from salt rooms to jacuzzis, and at just £10 (€12) per person, you’ll be able to enjoy luxury on a budget.

Walk or bathe in the river

If wild swimming is more your cup of tea, have a paddle in Ludlow's River Teme. The best place to do this is by the weir next to Dinham Bridge. If the weather’s not on your side – or if you're just not in the mood for a dip – go for a walk, instead, along the water's edge, and see which animals you spot along the way!

See some art

Ludlow is full of little galleries, so you art lovers out there are in for a treat. My top picks include: Rowles Fine Art, the Valentyne Dawes Gallery, and Gallery 131. There are, however, plenty more exhibition rooms waiting to be discovered, so wander the streets of Ludlow, yourself – making sure to venture down secret alleyways – and see what hidden gems you can find!

Stick your nose in a book

Bookworms: Ludlow’s also a brilliant destination for you! Not only is there a public library close the centre of town, but also there are all sorts of bookshops dotted about the place. My favourites, which I pop into whenever I’m visiting my grandparents, are:

1. The Oxfam Bookshop: always well-stocked, with many different genres to choose from.
2. The Furniture Scheme: they’ve got a great second-hand book section at the back of the shop.
3. The Castle Bookshop: an independent bookshop in the market square, selling all the recent publications, as well as stationery and local guidebooks.

Spend an evening at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms

More of movie buff than an avid reader? Spend an evening at the cinema in the Ludlow Assembly Rooms. Here, you can watch many of the latest releases, as well as screenings of theatre productions. Concerts more your thing? Book tickets for a live music show.

Go to the market

Every day is market day in Ludlow! Well, not quite, but if you rock up to the town square on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, you’ll be sure to find plenty of stalls, selling everything from coloured candles, to vintage jewellery, to locally grown fruit and vegetables. Most vendors still only take cash, so be sure to pop to a nearby ATM before your visit – there’s one outside Lloyds Bank at the top of Broad Street.

Want to get your hands on some real bargains? Make sure also to attend the bi-weekly Sunday flea market!

Shop till you drop

If your bank balance isn’t a sorry sight by this point, (a) congratulations on your admirable self-restraint, and (b) why not do some damage in one of Ludlow’s independent boutiques? I think it’s almost nicer to discover such places for oneself, but if you need a few recommendations to get your shopping spree started, I particularly like:

1. The Silver Pear: a small department store, selling tasteful homeware, clothes, and gifts.
2. Kaboodle: another – slightly cheaper – gift shop, with many Fair Trade products to choose from).
3. 55 Mill Street: a brilliant antiques and vintage clothing store – good luck walking out of here empty-handed!
4. The Bindery Shop: a bookbinder, selling gorgeous printed wrapping paper, notebooks, and greeting cards.
5. Mollie's Traditional Sweet Shop: anyone with a sweet tooth like mine will be in seventh heaven here – they've even got vegan-friendly options!

Eat, drink, and be merry!

Hungry? Treat yourself to a meal at one of Ludlow’s great wining and dining spots! I’m usually spoiled with dishes cooked up by my grandmother, but a few places that I’ve tried and loved while out and about include:

1. The Castle Inn: a cosy pub, where you’ll find exceptional pies and ales at an affordable price.
2. Harp Lane Deli: a well-stocked delicatessen, where, my mother assures me, the best coffee in town is served.
3. The Ludlow Food Centre: a large farm shop slightly outside the centre, selling all sorts of local produce – the flapjacks here are particularly divine!
4. The Cliffe at Dinham: a hotel restaurant, which is the perfect location for those fancier meals out.

Relax in a park

If you’ve managed to get through everything on the list so far, you’ll likely be exhausted, so give your feet a short rest in one of Ludlow’s parks. The grassy area just outside the entrance to the castle is a lovely place to sit and relax, but if you’re prepared to walk a bit further, the Linney Riverside Park is another great option. There’s a small playground here for young children to enjoy, not to mention plenty of open space – perfect if you’ve got any dogs that need to let off a bit of steam!

Go on a day trip

It’s difficult to run out of things to do when you’re in a place as exciting as Ludlow, but if you do find that you’ve got a bit of extra time, why not go on a day trip somewhere? There are plenty of nearby towns to explore (Leominster, Tenbury Wells, and Worcester, among others), as well as attractions like Hampton Court Castle and the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

If you want to venture a bit further afield, hop on a train at the town railway station, and in a couple of hours, you could find yourself anywhere from Birmingham to Cardiff.

Plan your trip today!

So there we have it: fifteen things to do in the charming West Midlands town of Ludlow. Have a wonderful time if you get the chance to explore this place any time soon, and don't forget to bring me back some flapjacks from the Food Centre!

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