Ludlow is a picturesque historic market town in south Shropshire. Bordering on Wales, Ludlow has a long and interesting borderlands history. It boasts many finely restored period buildings from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times and has a large castle.
Ludlow is a market town perfect for any foodie. The thriving market takes place each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is a great place to buy local food. Ludlow was the first town in the UK to ever plan a food festival, the first of which occurred in 1995. The festival was extremely successful and now takes place annually in September. Whilst exploring, be sure to stay fuelled and hydrated by trying out some local cuisine. Ludlow has an array of places to snack, brunch and eat your heart out.
Ludlow is located within the Shropshire Hills National Landscape (previously known as an Area of Outstanding Beauty), making it the perfect base for walkers wanting to explore this stunning part of the world. For a small town, Ludlow has such a lot to offer! But where to begin? Here's my 72 hour Ludlow Itinerary guide to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful town.
Arrive in Ludlow and check into your accommodation (recommendations of places to stay at the end of this guide). Start your day with breakfast and coffee.
Then head to St. Laurence's Church in the town centre. Founded in the late 11th century by the Norman's, it is a Church Of England parish church and grade 1 listed building. Explore the church and be sure to check out the shop for locally made gifts.
Climb the 201 steps of the church tower for epic views over the town and southern Shropshire. This is a little known about hidden gem in Ludlow. (£5 entry fee).
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In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely stroll along the River Teme, along the 'bread Walk' promenade. Cross over to the Whitcliffe Common for fantastic views over Ludlow Castle.
Head to The Linney weir, a great spot to take a wild swim or go paddle boarding in the warmer months.
Have a picnic at Millennium Green with views over the river and castle.
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Treat yourself to some snacks, coffee or ice cream at Csons
Delicious breakfast, lunch, cake, ice-cream and coffee is all available here form either their serving hatch in the green or their terraced seating area inside.
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For dinner head to the Church Inn pub, a 14th century free house for delicious homemade, down to earth pub classics.
Firstly established as a Norman fortress to hold back against the Welsh, Ludlow Castle has been extended over the centuries to become a fortified Royal palace. It was abandoned in 1689 and fell into ruin however is now privately owned and maintained by the Earl of Powis. A lot of restoration work has been completed on the Castle and it is a great place to explore and learn more about the local history.
Explore the Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross for a range of exhibits including fossils found in the area, artefacts from the church and castle and go back in time by listening to various historical characters telling their stories.
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Stroll around Ludlow market for some lunch, then visit the Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross for a range of exhibits.
Exhibits range from fossils found in the area to artefacts from the church and castle. Take a journey back in time by listening to various historical characters who lived in Ludlow telling their stories.
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Get active this afternoon and head to Mortimer Forest for a walk.
Choose a trail based on your preference and enjoy the beautiful forest scenery. Alternatively you could go mountain biking at Hopton Wood, where you can rent bikes from Pearce Cycles in Ludlow.
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Consider having dinner at a local restaurant of your choice, exploring more of Ludlow's culinary scene.
Day 3
Start your day with another good breakfast to fuel you ready for another day of exploring. Eat breakfast at your accommodation or head to the Harp Lane Deli.
Harp Lane Deli is known for it's homemade savoury treats. Maybe pick up some bits for a picnic to take with you on today's adventure.
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Venture into the countryside to explore some of the stunning Shropshire Hills. I would highly recommend taking a hike up Titterstone Clee Hill, which is one of my favourite Shropshire Hills (I live in Shropshire and i've hiked them all!)
Titterstone Clee is such a gem! Rising to 533m, it is the third highest Shropshire hill. It is formed of Dhustone, a carboniferous dark dolerite rock that was used in the construction of the docks of Cardiff. You can drive to the main viewpoint which has free parking postcode: SY8 3NY following the track up Dhustone Road. From here the walk is accessible for those less able or with younger children. If you fancy a bit of a hike to the top, park in Cleehill itself which has a free car park just off the A4117 nearest postcode: SY8 3NA.
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Not far from Titterstone you can also find Abdon Burf, the highest hill in Shropshire at 540m. There are over 160 hills to choose from to hike today. Check out my blog on the Top 5 Shropshire Hills to Hike for more ideas....
In the afternoon once you've completed your hike and worked up an appetite, head to the famous The Feathers Hotel, a listed Grade 1 building, for afternoon tea.
It was originally built in 1619 and is full of history and charm. The mouth watering afternoon tea features locally sourced produce.
Alternatively, you can explore more of Ludlow’s food options and try some Italian ice cream and luxury chocolates from The Chocolate Gourmet.
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Spend the evening walking around the beautiful Ludlow streets and end the day with a trip to the Ludlow Brewing Co for a brewery tour and craft beer tasting experience. The venue also hosts lots of live music events and pop ups supporting other local businesses.
This is such a great way to reward yourself after a long hike! Learn about the history of the Ludlow Brewery railway shed taproom and brewery process led by a passionate guide. The tour ends with a tasting sample of some of their award winning beer. My favourite was The Gold!
It was originally built in 1619 and is full of history and charm. The mouth watering afternoon tea features locally sourced produce.
Alternatively, you can explore more of Ludlow’s food options and try some Italian ice cream and luxury chocolates from The Chocolate Gourmet.
The Cliffe at Dinham features a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Ludlow. This 4-star inn offers free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 41 km from Ironbridge Gorge.
Hi hola! My name is Janire, and i'm hoping to become your travel bestie! I specialise in putting together some seriously exciting trips. Born and bred in gritty London, my roots are a mashup of Basque energy and Scottish charm. I have lived in the UK as well as the Basque Country and presently live in Shropshire, England. I spend a lot of my free time hiking in Wales and my annual leave travelling the world.
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