Walks in the UK: Ludlow, Shropshire

Varied architecture and interesting history await

Length: 1.5 miles

Walking time: 45 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Starting point: Ludlow, SY8 1AY

Description:

Ludlow was once described as the loveliest town in England by the late Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, and this still holds true. This walk takes in the picturesque medieval castle, with its varied architecture and interesting history and many of the town’s historic buildings.

1. Start in front of the castle facing the market square. Continue across the market square and at the far end, head along the narrow pedestrian street on the left.

2. Turn left into College Street and then right at St Laurence’s Church, one of England’s finest parish churches, built with local red sandstone. Steeped in history, it is well worth stopping off here to have a look around.

3. Go through the archway and down the steps to Bull Inn Yard. Continue up the street and turn right into King Street and then left into Broad Street.

4. Proceed down Broad Street towards the gate, taking in all the fine Georgian townhouses.

5. Cross Ludford Bridge and walk past the Charlton Arms. Turn right past some cottages and up the steps onto Whitcliffe Common. Continue along, then down natural stone steps to the riverside walk.

6. You will soon see the impressive castle and Dinham Bridge. Turn right over the bridge and left into Linney. Take the path on the right up through the trees beneath the castle walls. At the top, continue in the same direction, taking the next path right to return to the start by the castle entrance.

Points of interest:

A. Castle Lodge, with its 16th/17th century timber-framed upper storey.

B. The Assembly Rooms, where the gentry would hold balls and card parties.

C. On the left, opposite the church are Hosier's Almshouses.

D. St Laurence's Church, one of the largest and finest parish churches in England.

E. The Reader's House, a late medieval stone building which housed the boys' Grammar School.

F. Ludlow’s most famous building, the Feathers Hotel.

G. The Buttercross, a fine stone structure where dairy products were sold.

H. The Broad Gate, last survivor of Ludlow's seven medieval gates.

For the full route and to download GPX data for the walk, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/findroutes. This walk is from Ramblers Routes, a collection of Britain’s best walks from the experts. There are hundreds of free routes available on the Ramblers website for anyone to enjoy, and hundreds more for Ramblers members.

The Ramblers helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protects the places people love to walk. For further information, visit www.ramblers.org.uk.