Page 164 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

162 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

1 Ludlow
Shropshire; SY8 1AS
The market town of Ludlow is a great base for exploring the glorious
Marches countryside. Growing from the wealth of the medieval wool
trade, Ludlow became an important political centre. Much of its
medieval street pattern has survived almost intact and there are
some fine examples of timber-framed buildings and a ruined castle.
This walk gives a good introduction to the town.

A two-hour walking tour with its carved half-timbered frontage.
From Mill Street, turn left to 11th- The balconies were added in the 19th
century Ludlow Castle 1 (open daily), cen tury. Go back up the street, admir-
one of a series of Norman castles built ing the woodwork on the buildings.
in the Marches to control the Welsh. Turn right and head back to the Butter
Return to Castle Square, and across Cross 6, which was rebuilt in 1744 in
Mill Street on the right to the Assembly Neo-Classical style as a town hall and
Rooms 2 – a Tourist Information served as a butter market. Take a right
Centre and museum with local his- past Barclays Bank to St Laurence’s
tory and geology exhibits. Church 7. Established in
Continue down the narrow the 11th century and rebuilt
Market Street and turn right in 1199, this was heavily
Above Carved wooden façade of the Feathers into the fine Broad Street 3. modified in the 15th century.
Hotel, Ludlow Appreciate the seamless mix Look out for the tomb of
of timber-framed Tudor and Arthur Tudor (Henry VII’s son)
VISITING LUDLOW ele gant brick buildings. Return and the carved misericords
up Broad Street and turn right of medieval scenes. Climb
Parking into King Street towards the the 42-m (138-ft) tower for
Follow signs to town centre and park rebuilt 15th-century toll house, fabulous views. Admire the
as near as possible to Castle Square. The The Tolsey 4. Now occupied Carved stone arch stained glass – the Palmer’s
nearest cark park is Castle Street. There at Ludlow Castle
is another one at Smithfields, which by solicitors’ offices and window tells of King Edward
entails a steep walk into the centre. shops, this is where tax was the Confessor’s visit to
col lected for cattle brought for sale at the Holy Land. The cherry trees in the
Tourist Information
1 Mill Street, SY8 1AZ; 01584 875 053; the market. At the Old Bull Ring pub, graveyard commemorate the poet
www.shropshiretourism.co.uk turn left onto Bull Ring and continue A E Housman (1859–1936), author of
to the Feathers Hotel 5, built in 1619, A Shropshire Lad, whose ashes are
WHERE TO STAY
0 metres 200
LUDLOW Feathers
Hotel
The Feathers moderate 0 yards 200
Choose a room in the oldest part of St Laurence’s
this picturesque and central hotel for the CO LL EG E STR E E T Church BULL RING
The
most original features. Local produce Tolsey
features on the restaurant menu.
21 Bull Ring, SY81AA; 01584 875 261; K IN G S T RE E T
www.feathersatludlow.co.uk CHURCH ST Butter Cross
Ludlow Castle HIGH ST
AROUND LUDLOW CASTLE ST MARKET ST
CASTLE CASTLE ST
The Clive moderate SQUARE
This former farmhouse, north of Ludlow Assembly
on the A49, has 15 immaculate en-suite Rooms B R O A D S T R E E T
rooms and serves fresh produce for
breakfast. It also has a superb restaurant
and bar, open to non-residents. D I N H A M
Bromfield, SY8 2JR; 01584 856 565; M I L L S T R E E T
www.theclive.co.uk
WELSHPOOL
The Royal Oak Hotel moderate
Once a Georgian coaching inn, this hotel
has comfortable boutique-style rooms
with a contemporary or classic decor.
The Cross, SY21 7DG; 01938 552 217;
www.royaloakwelshpool.co.uk
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150
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