‘Probably the loveliest town in England’. That’s how Sir John Betjeman described Ludlow—and he was Poet Laureate of the UK for over a decade, so I’m inclined to believe him. But you don’t have to just take his word for it. Just 90 minutes from Birmingham, why not see the Shropshire market town’s beauty for yourself?
Dating back to the late 11th century after the Norman conquest of England, Ludlow is home to hundreds of listed buildings—including medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered houses—while its narrow side streets are bursting with quirky, independent shops.
Bodenhams, a clothing shop, has been trading from a 600-year-old building since 1860, making it one of the oldest stores in the country. Elsewhere, a traditional open-air market regularly runs in the town square (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), while the whole town sits in the shadow of Ludlow Castle.
The ruined medieval fort was one of the first stone castles to be built in England—playing a vital role in history, including the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War. Today, the Grade I listed building is open to the public, where you can explore ancient royal lodgings and enjoy views of the Shropshire countryside.
Other highlights include the 135-foot ‘cathedral of the Marches’, St Laurence’s Church; the interactive exhibits of Ludlow Museum; picnics in Millennium Green (with treats from the award-winning Ludlow Farmshop); country walks—head up the Bread Walk Path to Whitcliffe Common; and local ales from the Ludlow Brewing Company.
How do I get to Ludlow?
It takes an hour and a half to drive from Birmingham to Ludlow: Get on the A38, take the M6, M54 and A442 to the B4364 in Bridgnorth, and continue to Ludlow. Alternatively, take the train from New Street to Shrewsbury and change for Ludlow, which takes just under two hours.
