CHARLIE'SCOTTAGE

GET IN TOUCH

Ludlow sits on the edge of the Shropshire Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty and spectacular countryside and is a perfect location for exploring the Shropshire and Welsh countryside. The town has an abundance of historical architecture and has around 500 listed buildings, and our holiday cottage is perfectly positioned to explore it all.  St Laurence’s Church is one of England’s finest churches and is a member of the Greater Churches Group.

Ludlow is vibrant and entertaining all year round.  The inner and outer baileys of the castle are used for numerous events each year, such as Ludlow Spring Festival (May), the famous Ludlow Food and Drink Festival (which takes place every September which sees people flock to the town to visit over 140 food and drink producers and to take part in the sausage, bread and ale trails - it truly is a food lovers’ utopia, and of course, not forgetting Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre (November). A number of locals open their garden gates for the Secret Gardens of Ludlow in June each year too – a popular fundraising event.

Ludlow provides everything you could need – great coffee shops, wonderful places for lunch and dinner, a good selection of pubs, a speciality wine merchant only yards from the gates of Ludlow Castle and next door is a gourmet chocolate shop with chocolate truffles to die for.  There are delicious delis for light bites and picnic treats, a speciality cheese shop championing local delicious artisan cheeses and award-winning Ludlow Brewery (located by the train station).  Ludlow has a range of small independent shops with a sprinkling of high-street chains too.  For the horse racing enthusiasts Ludlow Race Course is a popular National Hunt racecourse, just 2-miles north of Ludlow www.ludlowracecourse.co.uk

There are antique and collectors’ fairs, local produce markets, craft markets showcasing local artists, design-makers and artisan food producers from Shropshire. For events in Ludlow Castle and Ludlow and the surrounding area please visit the town’s What's On Guide.

Whitcliffe (20 minute walk from Charlie’s) gives you the famous view of Ludlow Castle, the Church and Ludlow’s historic town centre and beyond. Ludlow is a great base for exploring the nearby English Heritage and National Trust sites, such as; Berrington Hall, Croft Castle, Stokesay Castle, Eastnor Castle and Powys Castle.  Ludlow is also well positioned for day trips to Shrewsbury, Hereford, Worcester and Hay on Wye and with the train station just down the road – you could be in Cardiff in an hour and a half!  If walking is your passion, Mortimer Forest is just 1 mile west of Ludlow and The Malvern’s, Brecon Beacons, Offa’s Dyke, the Long Mynd and the Wye Valley, are all within an hour’s drive of Ludlow. Please see www.ludlow.org.uk/walking.html  for more information on Ludlow Walks.

Eating Out

Ludlow has many places to eat – too many to list individually, but there are Thai and Indian restaurants, a pizzeria, and a licenced sea food bar at the Fish House - all within walking distance of Charlie’s.  Many of the town's pubs offer very good pub food.  Bistro 7 serves great food in a relaxed atmosphere.  If fine dining is what you desire, then Mortimer’s (17 Corve Street) is for you, serving modern British/French food. If it’s a river view you are after, the Charlton Arms is situated on the iconic Ludford Bridge with a roof top terrace and spectacular views.  Talking of river views, the Green Café on Dinham Weir is a popular destination for locals as well as visitors and the adjacent Millennium Green is a perfect spot for a picnic underneath the cliff which the castle ruins sit upon.  The choice is endless……you will have to come back again to continue your experience!

Ludlow was described by Sir John Betjeman as "the loveliest town in England” and by Country Life as "the most vibrant small town  in the Country".

Attractions in Ludlow

LUDLOW CASTLE

The impressive ruins of the castle occupy the oldest part of Ludlow. Building of the castle started around 1086, with many later additions in the following two centuries. It is one of the most interesting castles in the Marches, in a dominant and imposing position high above the river Teme. It features examples of architecture from the Norman, Medieval and Tudor periods. English Heritage notes that the ruins represent "a remarkably complete multi-phase complex" and considers Ludlow to be "one of England's finest castle sites".

Ludlow Castle is open to the public from 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week (except Christmas Day and December & January weekdays).

St Laurence's Church

Saint Laurence’s Church was established as a place of worship when the Normans founded Ludlow in the late 11th century. It is situated in the centre of Ludlow on the hill around which the medieval town developed.  The church is the largest parish church in Shropshire and is described as the "cathedral of the Marches". The Tower of St. Laurence's is one of the first things a visitor to Ludlow notices. It is 135 feet (41 metres) high and commands excellent views of the town and surrounding countryside.

 

LUDLOW MILLENNIUM GREEN

Ludlow Millennium Green is well worth a visit just to sit and relax and feed the ducks and swans as they paddle by!  It is a large green open space which sits next to the River Teme and Dinham Bridge and is a popular destination for locals and visitors.  An ideal spot for picnics!


LUDLOW MUSEUM

The museum contains an interactive environment rich in history, while encapsulating the architecture and social history through its town centre location.  It reveals the town’s proud architectural heritage to visitors and signposts them to other heritage venues in Ludlow to help visitors get the most from their stay.

ATTRACTIONS NEAR LUDLOW

You may also wish to look at Attractions Near Ludlow page for something in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Places to eat and drink...

Too many to list!  Please view the following link: http://www.ludlow.org.uk/eat.asp

What's On...

LOCAL TO LUDLOW PRODUCE MARKET

A Local Produce Market is a twice-monthly farmers' market selling a wide range of locally produced food, drink and land-based products within 30 miles of Ludlow. It takes place on Castle Square on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month.

For details of stallholders please visit the Local to Ludlow website - www.localtoludlow.org.uk

Ludlow Market

Ludlow has held street markets since the twelfth century. Nowadays, a traditional open-air market, managed by Ludlow Town Council, takes place in the town square (Castle Street) every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year.

In addition to the regular market, most Sundays see the market stalls being used either as a flea market (usually fortnightly), or for various specialist themes, such as books, gardens or crafts.

MADE IN SHROPSHIRE MARKET

Made in Shropshire Market is a monthly showcase for local artists, design-makers and artisan food producers from Shropshire. The market is usually held on the first Saturday of the month.
A variety of seasonal markets are held at appropriate times of the year including Ludlow Christmas Markets.

For dates of the various specialist markets please click here