The pretty little Shropshire town of Ludlow is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.

In our guide you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit.

‘I think we may have picked the wrong Shropshire town to live in…’

This was Andrew, after we walked down yet another wonderfully quaint street in the small medieval town of Ludlow.

And he wasn’t wrong; Ludlow is lovely.

It reminded us of the small Italian towns we’ve visited over the years. Places that on paper are fairly non-descript but which encapsulate everything that a non-Italian finds so beautiful about the country. Indeed, Ludlow encapsulates much of the outsider’s ideal of the quintessential English experience.

Black and white Tudor buildings so commonplace as to house the local Boots, a trading market square that has fulfilled that function for hundreds of years, tiny little streets with old signage, bakeries selling proper British cakes, an abundance of the old and just the right amount of the new - and even a thousand year old castle in its very centre.

Ludlow is a town of history, but even a quick visit will remind you that this is not a town that time has forgotten; Ludlow is thriving.

Spend some time here and you will discover a foodie scene (with a wonderful focus on sustainable farming and Shropshire produce), an abundance of local pubs selling local ale, excellent independent antique, vintage and clothing stores, galleries, and even two handmade book binders!

It’s enough to make you think about moving…

In this short guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect weekend break or day trip including all the best things to do in Ludlow, our recommendations on where to shop, where to stay and - importantly in a town known for its foodie credentials - where to eat.

Things to Do in Ludlow

Go Antiquing

Whilst the nearby town of Leominster holds Herefordshire’s antique-title, Ludlow offers plenty to the curious shopper this side of the border. A simple stroll around the town will lead you to the front door of many of the Ludlow’s best antique stores, but there are a few that you absolutely shouldn’t miss:

55 Mill Street | This ‘collective’ brings together a number of private sellers, all with exquisite taste. Find wonderful antiques, vintage clothing, and a sprinkling of locally made goods. We absolutely adored this place and could very easily have left with a van full of goodies - we just need a house to fill…and a van!

SWS Antiques | Located in the little alley to the right of the florists, SWS specialises in antiques, fine art and European and Asian collectibles. Find it here on Google Maps.

Holloway’s Period House Shop | A Ludlow institution for more than 20 years, The Period House Shop is a treasure trove of homeware, specialist lighting, mid-century antiques and vintage curios. It is the perfect place for a good old rummage!

Gallery 131 | Specialising in 20th century art, Gallery 131 offers a beautifully curated collection of art, furniture, pottery and original design.

Fall in Love With the Old Buildings

As we mentioned in our introduction, Ludlow is a seriously photogenic town, and should you not be used to spotting topsy turvy black and white Tudor houses around every corner, it can feel a little like stepping into a Charles Dickens book.

Compact and walkable, the best way to explore its history (and the more than 500 listed buildings within the centre) is simply to pick a street and start walking. Alternatively, consider following the circular ‘Whitecliffe and Breadwalk’ route, which traces a path through the town, over the river and back again. You can find full details of the walk - as well as others - here.

If forging your own path, be certain to add the following historically important places onto your map:

The Feathers Hotel | Built in 1619, this beautiful black and white building - now a pub and hotel - is incredibly intricate and quite remarkable (they also happen to do an excellent afternoon tea if you so fancy!).

St Laurence’s Church | The largest parish church in Shropshire, this 11th century church is described as the ‘Cathedral of the Marches’. Climb the tower for excellent views over the countryside.

The Reader’s House | Not actually open to the public, it’s still possible to get a good look at this 16th century building by walking around St. Laurence's Church

The Buttercross | Built in 1746, the classical design of the the Buttercross is a little different to many of the other buildings in the town, and its location in the centre of town means you’ll likely pass it several times. Once a bustling buttermarket, it is still used on market days and also houses the local museum.

The Castle Lodge | Dating back to the early 13th century, this impressive medieval Tudor and Elizabethan house by the castle is reputedly is haunted by the ghost of Catherine of Aragon!

Broadgate | Situated at the bottom of Broad Street, this is sole surviving of Ludlow’s seven medieval gates, and walking through it toward the river is mandatory!

Tip // If you’d like to learn a little more about the history which shaped Ludlow, from royalty to wool merchants, consider popping into the town’s museum in the aforementioned Buttercross. Open Friday - Sunday, 10 am - 4pm. Entry is £1 per adult, and 50p per child. Find out more here.

Step Back in Time at Ludlow Castle

Despite growing up in the UK, surrounded by several hundred year old properties and centuries of history, the sight of tremendously old castles (often in pretty good condition) still elicits a gasp.

This is especially true of Ludlow Castle (Google Maps), a huge Norman fortress hidden behind a circular stone wall in the very centre of the town. Originally built in the late 11th century to hold back the as-yet-unconquered Welsh, it was extended over the centuries eventually becoming a Royal Palace in 1461 - which it remained for more than 350 years, before being abandoned and quickly falling into ruin (albeit ‘the very perfection of decay’, as wonderfully described by Daniel Defoe).

Bought by the Earls of Powis in the early 19th century, the family invested heavily to halt its decline, and are responsible for the great many works carried out that allow it to be such a tourist attraction today.

Even if you’re not a ‘castle person’, believe us when we say that this is one worth stepping through the gates for.

Make sure to climb up the tower for the best views over Ludlow and, if you don’t go inside, the small public park area which hugs the castle walls is really lovely to sit in for lunch or a break in the sunshine.

The Essentials | Tickets cost £8 per person (£3.50 for children, £7 concession) and do not require pre-booking. Instead, buy tickets directly from ticket office upon arrival. Although times can vary, the Castle is generally open between 10 am and 5 pm each day - be sure to confirm before your visit via their website.

Top tip // If you just can’t get enough of castles, we recommend popping down the road to Stokesay Castle, built in the 13th century it is considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval fortified manor houses in the country. You can find out further information here.

Check Out the Market

Having operated on the same site for more than 900 years, Ludlow Market is absolute must-do for visitors to the town.

Specialising in small producers and sellers, there are stalls offering everything from fresh produce, locally made cheeses, handmade gifts, jewellery and clothing, vintage cameras (we wanted to buy them all), handmade wooden furniture and everything else in between!

Regular market days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from morning until the early afternoon, as well as a variety of specialist markets on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the year, including:

‘Local to Ludlow’ produce markets | Second and fourth Thursdays of the month

Antique and Flea Market | First and third Sunday of the month

You can find full details on their website here.

Where | You can find the market in Castle Square (Google Maps), which is also the beating heart of town.

Tip // Once you’ve had your fill of the local market, be sure to pop through the little alley next to ‘Local to Ludlow’ to explore Quality Square (Google Maps). Filled with independent shops, galleries and eateries - and even a hedgehog rescue centre (not open to the public, unfortunately) - there’s plenty to explore and enjoy. And in true Ludlow style, is pretty damn photogenic too!

Head Down to the River

Should you be visiting during the summer months (or a delightfully warm spring afternoon), you should absolutely spend sometime down by the river.

Living somewhere where the Severn’s water often flows a little more brown than blue and is often speckled with cow poo in our favourite bit (we love warm wild swims in Shrewsbury, but you better believe we don’t get that water in our mouth!), spotting the clear, slow-flowing loveliness of the river Teme made us wish for a warmer day and a swimsuit!

There are several spots which are accessible to the general public, and several naturally terraced areas which appear to function more as bathing pools.

As always with wild swimming, it’s important that you judge your swimming skills appropriately and don’t take any unnecessary risks. A good rule of thumb is to follow the locals.

Tip // If you’d prefer to enjoy the idyllic views over the river rather than from it, we’d recommend grabbing a drink at the Charlton Arms. Located on the Ludford Bridge, it has a large outdoor seating area with sweeping views over the water and the town beyond. It also has a good number of contemporary hotel rooms - find out more here.

Foodie Fun in Ludlow

To those in the know, Ludlow is a bit of a foodie hotspot, and whilst its Michelin-starred restaurant has unfortunately now closed, there still remains a wide variety of excellent dining options to suit all budgets.

CSons at the Green Cafe | There’s a CSons in Shrewsbury that we absolutely adore so, whilst we haven’t personally experienced the Ludlow branch, we know it will be just as fabulous! The menu is seasonal and caters well for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike and, Crucially, it has a fantastic setting down by the riverside. Highly recommended.

The Fish House | Whilst it may surprise you to find a critically acclaimed fish shop and restaurant in land-locked Ludlow, The Fish House has proven itself to be quite the popular lunch time spot. Open 12pm - 3 pm Wednesday to Saturday.

Ludlow Cicchetti Bar | Small tapas-like morsels of loveliness, we first discovered cicchetti in their hometown of Venice, and we absolutely didn’t expect to find a restaurant specialising in them here! Whilst the current situation has meant pivoting to takeaway Italian goodies, we hope that once normality returns, so too will their cosy little eatery.

Harp Lane Deli | Located in the main square, this delightful deli - full of everything to make an Italian nonna happy - offers small bites and light lunches to enjoy at a couple of tables in the sun or as takeaway. The salads are yummy, and we still regret not indulging in their pastéis de nata

Mortimer’s | Whilst this restaurant doesn’t really cater for those of the vegetarian persuasion, this is a great spot for lovers of fine dining, with artfully presented, locally sourced food.

PizzaTen | If we spent the night in Ludlow, this is where we’d eat - the pizzas look that good!

Price’s Bakery | This super cute little bakery is full of delectable homemade cakes, all made on-site. Just be warned, they sell out quick so don’t leave it until the afternoon cravings kick-in to visit!

Taste at No.1 | Whilst they could do with a little interior update, lovers of gin should absolutely check out this little shop. Opt for a drink at one of their tables or pick up a bottle to go.

Carvell’s The Art of Tea | There is no activity more quintessentially British than the afternoon tea, and that served in Carvell’s is just lovely! Family owned and run, they serve loose tea in proper china cups alongside delicious cakes and sandwiches.

Top tip // If you’re planning on visiting Ludlow during September, consider timing your trip to coincide with the town’s annual food festival. Held inside Ludlow Castle, you will find more than 180 food and drink suppliers and producers offering the very best of the region. Find out more here.

Grab a Pint at the Brewery

This small medieval town is no stranger to brewing beer, with ‘Ludlow and Craven Arms Brewing Co.’ operating within the town until the early 20th century.

However, it was not until nearly 80 years later that local beer manufacturing returned to Ludlow, when Gary and Alison Walters realised their dream to rekindle the brewing industry in their hometown.

Quickly outgrowing their original premises in a disused malting, in 2008 the Ludlow Brewing Company moved to its new premises in a derelict Victorian railway shed, and the rest - as they say - is history.

Using hops grown just down the road, they offer a variety of beers to suit all palates including the award-winning ‘Ludlow Gold’ (as well as plenty to offer those less keen on the hoppy-stuff), and even run brewery and beers tasting tours for true ale lovers.

For those visiting Ludlow by train, their location right next to the station also make this an ideal final (or first!) stop on a day trip.

The essentials | You can find the brewery here on Google Maps, or check out their website for full opening times. They also have an on-site shop to pick up home supplies if you don’t have time to pop in for a pint!

If you’re in town and have worked up a thirst, then head to The Queens (Google Maps).

How to Get to Ludlow

By Car

Located right in the middle of Shrewsbury and Hereford on the A49 (about 40 minutes in either directions), it’s also an easy drive from further afield.

For parking in town, your best car park options to head toward are Ludlow Castle Street (Google Maps) and Galdeford Car Park (Google Maps).

Tip // If you’re visiting Ludlow by car, we’d also highly recommend nipping out of town to visit the Ludlow Farm Store. Focussed on responsible and sustainable farming, much of the meat is farmed on the nearby estate, along with all the milk used to make cheese and dairy products, with the remainder of the seasonal produce being sourced from the surrounding four counties to limit food miles. From behind large glass partitions you can even watch the artisans at work, creating much of what is available to buy. It’s won a bunch of awards, and even has an on-site restaurant.

By Train

Ludlow is located on the Cardiff - Manchester train line, with services passing through almost hourly. Direct trains from Shrewsbury (30 minutes), Hereford (30 minutes), Manchester (1 hour and 45 minutes), and Cardiff (1 hour and 30 minutes minutes).

Visits from London will necessitate a change in Newport and take approximately three and a half hours.

From Ludlow train station, it’s about 8-minutes walk to the town centre.

Ludlow Accommodation | Places to Stay

Whilst we’ve usually visited for just the day, Ludlow is perfectly set up for an overnight stay with several excellent accommodation options and plenty of places to grab an evening meal.

Below are our recommetions:

Hotels

Dinham Hall | If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, this is the hotel for you. Exquisitely grand period property, with plush rooms and an excellent on-site restaurant and bar. Located 200m from Ludlow Castle. Check prices and availability here.

The Clive | Located a couple of miles out of town, this old farmhouse offers a wonderful place to stay for those with a car (or who don’t mind the walk or taking a taxi into town). Beautifully decorated, cosy and with an on-site restaurant. See here for further information.

The Church Inn | Located slap-bang in the centre of Ludlow, this charming period property houses a bar/restaurant and several modern, clean and spacious room (some with balcony). Breakfast included. Find out more here.

The Town House | If you love a traditional touch (think dark wood, vintage four-posters, and plush furnishing) take a look at the Town House. A period property with guest terrace. Check availability here.

Airbnbs and Apartments

The Folly | Located less than a mile from the centre of Ludlow, this one bedroom apartment is gorgeous - contemporary design and full of light. Also has lovely outdoor area. Check prices and availability here.

Central Historic Cottage | Exceptionally highly rated (and very reasonably priced), grade-two listed cottage in the heart of Ludlow. Has two good sized bedrooms. Find out more here.

Vine cottage | Beautifully refurbished terraced cottage with high-spec finish a few minutes walk from centre of town. Has two bedrooms and good sized garden. Find out more here.

Large Period Property | Charming three-bed period property in the centre of Ludlow. Tastefully furnished with a luxurious finish, and a suite of 5* reviews. Check prices and availability here.

44 Old Street | If you like your period properties with a quirky edge, you should absolutely take a look at this cute two bedroom cottage. Vintage pieces and excellent design throughout, it also has a small garden. Find out more here.

Some of our other favourite cottages include:

Old Town Cottage | Garden Cottage | Hideaway Cottage | Charlie’s Cottage | The Keep