72 hour Ludlow Itinerary

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 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.

Day 1:

Morning:

• Arrive in Ludlow and check into your accommodation.

• Start your day with breakfast at Icon Coffee for delicious coffee and homemade cakes to start your day.

Late Morning:

• Visit St. Laurence's Church in the town centre. Founded in the late 11th century by the Normans, 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 (£5 entry fee).

• Rest and enjoy some tranquility in the Jubilee Garden.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy a leisurely walk along the river Teme on the 'Bread Walk' promenade. Cross over to Whitcliffe Common for fantastic views of Ludlow Castle.

• Head to The Dinham 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.

• Treat yourself to a coffee, snacks, or ice cream at Csons Cafe by the weir.

Evening:

• For dinner, head to The Church Inn, a 14th-century free house, for delicious homemade, down-to-earth pub classics.

Day 2:

Morning:

• Have breakfast at your accommodation or try another coffee shop or tea room to start to your day. You could try Carvell's The Art of Tea for some tea or coffee in 'proper' china.

Late Morning:

• Visit Ludlow Castle, a must-see historical site that offers insights into local history. 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. Climb to the top of the tower for incredible views over Shropshire.

• 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.

Afternoon:

• Head to Mortimer Forest for some outdoor adventure. 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.
  

Evening:

• Consider having dinner at a local restaurant of your choice, exploring more of Ludlow's culinary scene.

Day 3:

Morning:

• Have breakfast at your accommodation or try a different breakfast spot like Harp Lane Deli for homemade savoury treats.

Late Morning:

• Venture into the countryside to explore some Shropshire hills. Take a hike up Titterstone Clee Hill, which is one of my favourite Shropshire hills. Not far from Titterstone you can also find Abdon Burf, Shropshire's highest hill at 540m/1772ft. The Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc, Ragleth hill amongst others can be found around the Church Stretton area. Check out my blog on my top 5 hikes in the Shropshire hills HERE.

Afternoon:

• Treat yourself to afternoon tea at the famous Feathers Hotel, a grade 1 listed building. 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 dining options and try some Italian ice cream and luxury chocolates from The Chocolate Gourmet.

Evening:

• 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. 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! The venue also hosts lots of live music events and pop ups supporting other local businesses.

Alternative Activities You Could Include:

• Mountain biking at Hopton Wood, which is the home of mountain biking in Shropshire. With trails ranging from Blue (moderate) to Black (extreme), there is something for everyone. You can rent bikes from Ludlow's Pearce Cycles, who also put on uplift days at Hopton as well as other mountain biking events locally.
  

• Visit some of Shropshire's Castles including the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor in England, Stokesay Castle. Explore the stunning North Tower and wander through the beautiful walled garden and moat walk. There is a free audio tour provided and family trail based on local legends about giants to keep younger visitors entertained. Learn more about Shropshire's castles HERE.

Where to Stay?

The Feathers Hotel is a stunning Grade 1 listed building which is famous for it's authentic timbered Tudor facade and for it's historic value. The timber has carved wooden motifs of the Prince of Wales' three feathers emblem, hence it's name. Originally built in 1619 by an ambitious attorney Rees Jones who moved to Ludlow to pursue a career at the 'Council of the Marches'. It was converted into an inn 50 years later by his grandson and has been welcoming guests since. In 1983 The New York Times named it "the most handsome inn in the world"!

Stay in one of its 42 luxury, en-suite bedrooms and experience the hotel's exceptional customer service. Make sure to try the Plume@Feathers restaurant's fine dining a la carte menu on Mondays to Saturdays which has recently been awarded an AA Rosette. On Sundays you can have their Sunday roast special. Alternatively try an afternoon tea in the tea room. Book direct through the hotel HERE.

Another option would be to stay at Steeple Mews Stays 5* luxury self-catering accommodation is situated right in the heart of the town. A 20 second walk to the main street, making it a great location for exploring the town. Steeple Mews has 6 different sized properties to chose from, sleeping up to 8 people. The houses are modern, comfy and luxurious with all the amenities and commodities you need for a home away from home experience. There is secure underground private parking accessible via a car lift, which means no extra charges for parking and a stress free journey from door to door! Book direct @steeplemews_stays or through holidaycottages.co.uk

There are lots of other options for places to stay in Ludlow ranging from a historic experience at the castle's own accommodation to something a bit more budget friendly at the various lodges, glamping and camping providers around the town.

Thank you for reading and as always, if you have any questions, thoughts or feedback please leave these in the comments section below.

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Happy adventuring!!

Janire xo

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