Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Ludlow

Ludlow is a lovely old market town in Shropshire.

Sir John Betjeman said that Ludlow is the loveliest town in England, and Alec Clifton Taylor thought Broad Street to be among the best streets in the country.

The town stands on a hill overlooking the Rivers Teme and Corve. This has inhibited growth in two directions.

Ludlow Castle was built by Roger de Montgomery in Norman times as a fortress against the Welsh. In the late 15th century it was the home of Prince Arthur, the eldest son of Henry VII, and his bride Catherine of Aragon. After he died, however, she married his younger brother, who became Henry VIII.

The Castle was also home to the two sons, Edward and Richard, of Edward VII. When their father died, the elder of the two became briefly Edward V, before his uncle Richard III became King. It was Richard III who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth and buried at the Grey Friars in Leicester.

St. Lawrence's church, with its very tall tower, is widely regarded as one of the finest in the land. It has a hexagonal porch, one of only two examples in England. Outside the church, the ashes of A.E.Housman, the poet who wrote "A Shropshire Lad" are buried.

The most spectacular building in Ludlow is probably the Feathers, still functioning as a hotel, but there are many other black and white timber framed houses as well as elegant Georgian ones.

Ludlow was a walled town. Some of the walls survive, but only one of the town gates, the very impressive Broad Gate, is still in existence.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Ludlow for groups.