1. Enjoy stomach-churning fun with head-spinning rides along with with candy-floss and, chips and crispy doughnuts at Ludlow’s annual bank holiday May Fair on all weekend 4-7 May.
May Fair fun in ludlow
2. Run, laugh and drink ale at the next great race from local lads, Be Endurance, introducing their very first Ludlow Beer Run. It’s all in good fun and it raises money for a local charity. The 8km route takes runners around 8 ‘Beer Stops’ where you can sample local beers, food and listen to music. Only one caveat from the organisers: if you do dress up, please “keep it clean”! Saturday 12 May at 1 p.m.
3. It’s #nationalwalking month and time for a hike to the top of Mortimer Forest where you can look on in awe at the carpet of bluebells scattered across the common. Views from the top across to the Clee Hills are pretty spectacular too. For a more direct hiking route, use the Black Pools car park.
4. Indulge your love of a pint, good food and vintage cars at the Ludlow Spring Festival. Roll out your picnic rug in the castle grounds, fill your basket with local fare and soak up the atmosphere of a traditional English fair at its best. 11-13 May.
Beers, Bangers and Bread
at Ludlow’s Spring Festival
5. Hop on your bike for the Ludlow Palmers’ Ludlow to Hereford bike ride. Part of the 2018 Ludlow Palmers Pilgrimage Weekend, this 30-mile road cycle ride passes through Kingsland and Canon Pyon to finish at Hereford Cathedral. Participants will receive a ‘pilgrims’ medal in recognition of their completed ride. Minimum age is 14. You’ll be relieved to hear a return coach to Ludlow is provided! Monday 28 May.
Fancy fedoras at Ludlow Racecourse ladies day
6. It’s Ladies’ Day at Ludlow Racecourse on Sunday 13 May. Ladies, it’s as good a time as any to treat yourself to a bespoke fedora from local milliner, Jennifer Rose Millinery. If you don’t manage to get hold of Jennifer before race day, she’ll be hosting a stand of her amazing creations in the central marquee.
7. Time for a guided tour of nearby Stokesay Court. This magnificent Grade II* late-Victorian mansion is set within extensive landscaped grounds, with views towards Ludlow. Tours are just over one-hour long and followed by morning coffee or afternoon tea. If you need to explore more, you are free to roam the grounds after tea. Selected dates throughout May.
8. British fete time! Enjoy waggy tails, local stalls, tea and cakes at the annual Hope Bagot Fete and Dog Show in the beautifully laid out gardens of Hope Court. £1 entry per class. Sunday 27 May.
9. An event promising “super-extra-massive bonkers fun”? Sign us up! Shropshire Kids Festival at Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, promises a bigger under 5’s Zone, a bigger Sports Zones, free kids cookery, a foam party and two huge inflatable obstacle courses. And, if that isn’t enough, the organisers are also showing the Royal Wedding on a giant screen so no-one misses out on the big day. 19-20 May.
