Planning to visit Ludlow soon? Be inspired by this 3-day itinerary from Shropshire local, UK blogger and trainee Mountain Leader, Janire, exploring Ludlow’s top spots and the hills beyond.
Janire’s 72-hr Ludlow itinerary guide
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 Bill’s Kitchen for delicious coffee and pastries 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 churchand 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).
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 Linney 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 Café 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 visit Kin Kitchen for another delightful start to your day.
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.
- 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 savory treats.
Late Morning:
- Venture into the countryside to explore some Shropshire hills. I would highly recommend taking 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 .
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:
- 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.
Alternative activities 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.
- Brewery tour and craft beer tasting at Ludlow Brewery. This is such a great way to reward yourself after a long hike! 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. To book a tour click here.
Where to stay?
There are lots of other options for places to stay in Ludlow ranging from a historic experience at the castle’s own accommodation, a classic experience at the Feathers Hotel to something a bit more budget friendly at the various lodges, glamping and camping providers around the town (for a great selection of places to stay, check out our top Accommodation choices on The LGL Directory, Ed.)
To find out more about Janire, visit her website Ray of Sun Adventures or follow her on Facebook and Instagram
