Visit Ludlow
Ludlow – ‘England’s loveliest town’
Ludlow was a fortified town in medieval times – one of just over 100 in England and Wales. It is in the centre of breathtakingly beautiful, varied and unspoilt countryside. It has duly received many accolades over the years and is frequently referred to as “the most beautiful town in England”.
To a great extent the history of Ludlow has been preserved in its streets and buildings; it is a town that has hardly changed. It has superb architecture (there are over 500 listed buildings) and stunning views. A day simply isn’t long enough to see all it has to offer and absorb the atmosphere.
Ludlow Food Festival takes place each September, during the second weekend, and is held in the castle and the centre of the town. It is now an extremely popular event and attracts thousands of visitors over the three days it is held. The most popular event is the Sausage Trail. Our accommodation for this event is usually booked at least six months before so we do advise you to book early to avoid disappointment. Ludlow Spring Food Festival was launched in 2009, featuring bread, bangers and beer. It proved very popular and is now an annual event, held during the second weekend of May.
An event that is becoming increasingly popular is the annual Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre when Ludlow Castle is bustling with medieval entertainers, minstrels and traders. It is held over the Saturday and Sunday of the last weekend in November and is the ideal family day out.
The Mangalonga Walk is a food and drink walk of about eight miles. It starts and finishes in Ludlow: a journey where you combine a walk through unspoilt countryside with some of the best food and drink from Ludlow and the Welsh Marches. Got to www.magnalonga.co.uk/ for more information.
Ludlow Brewing Company – Discover the brewing magic of the award-winning Ludlow Brewery. Located in a specially converted railway shed, just over 50 metres north of Ludlow railway station. The building has been fully refurbished to latest building standards and houses a 20 barrel brewing system. Ludlow Brewery produces award winning high quality ales right in the heart of the beautiful town of Ludlow.
Visit www.theludlowbrewingcompany.co.uk/ more information on tours and events.
But Ludlow is not just about history and eating, it makes the ideal base for a walking holiday, as it is on the edge of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For gentle walking Whitcliffe Common, the remnants of a much larger medieval common, use of which was acquired by the burgesses of Ludlow before 1241, is ideal. For the more adventurous there is the Shropshire Way, Mortimer Trail and the Clee Hills, the highest in Shropshire. At Church Stretton there is Cardingmill Valley and the Long Mynd – excellent walking country.
In April, Ludlow is the setting for Storm The Castle Duathlon – the UK’s toughest duathlon. Approx 450 athletes will take part in this arduous run-bike-run event, finishing inside Ludlow Castle. Voted Best UK Event by 220 Triathlon Magazine. For more information visit www.stormthecastleduathlon.com
If you like fishing the river Teme, that runs round the town, has high water quality and its mainly undeveloped banks make the river an ideal habitat for fish. A two-mile stretch of the Teme and its tributary, the Corve, are available for fishing at Ludlow and are controlled by the Ludlow Angling Club. Phone 01584 872575 for information about day fishing tickets.
Ludlow is also good for horse riding and Ludlow Race Course is just outside town. There are usually about 15 race meetings each year. For those who enjoy golf, Ludlow Golf Club is just outside the town.
For cyclists there are numerous routes to enjoy, whatever your cycling skills (visit www.shropshirecycling.co.uk)
There’s also plenty on offer for walkers and hikers too:
OFFA’S DYKE: As long or as short as you wish. Visit www.nationaltrail.co.uk for further details
WALKING WITH OFFA: Various walks around the Welsh-English border. Visit www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk
THE SHROPSHIRE WAY: Again ideally situated for both long and short walk on this famous route. Visit www.shropshirewalking.co.uk
WALKING IN HEREFORDSHIRE: Just over the border another lovely place to explore. Visit www.walkinginherefordshire.co.uk
WALKING THE LONG MYND AND STIPERSTONES: A short drive away will bring you to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A must when visiting Shropshire.
Further Afield…
Stay at The Bringewood self catering and enjoy country walks with spectacular scenery; historic market towns, full of independent shops; lots of galleries, museums, National Trust & English Heritage properties; plenty of home grown local food, real ales and fine wine. Shropshire is one of the least crowded and most peaceful areas of England, now one of the few remaining rural idylls, yet with over 90 attractions and 22 attractive market towns.
Shropshire has not one but two World Heritage Sites. The Ironbridge Gorge – ten award-winning Museums spread along the valley beside the River Severn – still spanned by the world’s first Iron Bridge, and The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal – eleven miles of World Heritage on the border of Shropshire and North Wales.
Shrewsbury, birthplace of Charles Darwin, is Shropshire’s medieval county town, with over 600 listed buildings within the loop of the River Severn. Ludlow is our gastronomic capital, renowned for its food festivals, farm shops and delis (and is the nearest town to the Bringewood self catering accommodation). Much Wenlock is where the modern Olympic Games all started – when in 1850 local surgeon William Penny-Brookes inspired the fore-runner of the modern Olympics. The Wenlock Olympian Games still take place in Shropshire every July.
If you would like any more suggestions for places to visit and things to do during your stay at The Bringewood, please do not hesitate to contact us. Attractions can also be found at www.shropshiredaysout.co.uk
