Ludlow is a charming town full of wonderful things to do and see. While some activities may come with a price tag, there are plenty of free or low-cost options to explore. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy without breaking the bank. You’ll find plenty of fun and affordable ways to spend your time here. Let’s dive in and discover all the great things Ludlow offers year-round!
History
With a castle dating back to 1086, Ludlow has thousands of years of history to explore. The town grew and developed along the ancient Norman grid system, and this is still in evidence today with narrow, cobbled streets leading off its long, straight main streets.
Ludlow has over 400 listed buildings, most around the town centre. The town has nine Grade 1 listed buildings, with the oldest and most significant being Ludlow Castle, the Broad Gate, St Laurence’s Church and surviving sections of the town walls. Walk around town and discover homes, cottages, shops, and pubs, all with a story to tell and not to mention the bridges, a drinking fountain and two telephone kiosks!
In 1983 the Ludlow Civic Society took on the immense task of making and mounting blue plaques outside of notable and historic buildings around the town. The blue plaque tour recognises buildings of historical interest and places where important or influential people have lived. You could find the home of the first female ‘computer’ Mary Edwards or the 18th Century building where Napolean’s brother was incarcerated. Booklets on the Blue Plaque tour are on sale at Ludlow Visitor Information Centre and cost £2.60 each. You can find all the answers to the Blue Plaque quiz on the Ludlow Civic Society website.
Ludlow Castle is top of your things to do in Ludlow, but you don’t have to go in to experience its incredible history. It’s free to wander around the ancient ruins along the circular path, starting outside the castle entrance. Explore the impressive stonework, ancient gateways and enjoy the views of the river across the town and the countryside beyond. The Castle Gardens, at the front of the castle, have plenty of benches to sit down, rest, take in the scenery or enjoy a picnic.
Walk down Broad Street and under the tunnel of the Broad Gate, now a private home and the sole surviving medieval gate in Ludlow dating back to the 13th Century. You can approach from the town centre or climb up from the river via Lower Broad St. The Castle walls were also constructed in the early 13th Century, and it is still possible to view long stretches around the town and the sites of the town’s original seven gates.
Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross is open every week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am-4 pm. Adult entry is £1.20, and children under 16 years are free. Discover fossils, the ancient Bitterley hoard, artefacts from Ludlow’s medieval church and castle, interactive exhibits and a children’s craft area. You can find out more in our article here.
Shropshire Museums’ Collection Centre at Ludlow Library is only open for pre-arranged research. Still, you can explore the free Exhibitions Gallery on the lower ground floor, which is open during Library opening times.
Nature & Outdoors
If you’re after a more gentle stroll, the Bread Walk is ideal for families and only minutes from the centre of town. You don’t have to walk the whole trail, which takes you on a circular walk through part of the town, you can stroll along the stretch of the River Teme, follow the Fossil Trail, watch the Weir, and if you’re lucky, spot otters playing and kingfishers diving for fish. Head up to Whitcliffe Common for the best view of Ludlow. Find all the info about the common, including a map, here.
If you’re looking for green spaces in town, try St Leonard’s Garden, the Jubilee Garden and Gallows Bank. Find more info, maps and walks on the Ludlow Branch of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Facebook page.
Just a stone’s throw from Ludlow town centre is the natural wonder of Mortimer Forest, over 1,000 hectares of ancient woodland managed by Forestry England. The Forest has five way-marked walking trails, ranging from 1 mile to 9 miles. There are Easy Access trails, gentle loops and the steep hike of the Climbing Jack trail. You’ll find an extensive network of forest roads for walking, exploring, biking and even horse riding.
The Forest is rich in wildlife with fantastic birdsong, birds of prey, butterflies, and you might even spot the longhaired fallow deer, unique to Mortimer Forest. There are picnic areas in each car park, but please remember, no BBQs!
You can access the trails from the four car parks, but you can also walk via The Whitcliffe Loop, which starts from Whitcliffe Common Car Park (a 15-20 minute walk from the town centre) and lets you explore the Lower Evens part of the Forest and views along Mary Knoll Valley.
Mortimer Forest is also the location for the Ludlow Park Run, a weekly, 5km timed run which is free and open to everyone. Register online with parkrun to learn more about the course and get your barcode.
Family-friendly activities
There are playgrounds all around Ludlow Town which are free to use and maintained by the Town Council. You can find a complete list of the public spaces here. In spring and summer, the Linney Riverside Park down by the river is a popular spot for families. You can paddle-board, wild swim and kayak from the pontoon beside the playground.
A little further along, you’ll find the Millennium Green, which is the perfect spot to picnic, watch the ducks and paddle in the shallows off Ludlow’ beach’. If you’re after a longer walk or bike ride, set off from Dinham Bridge and along the farm track via Priors Halton to Oakly Park – a 2-mile route which takes around 40 minutes on foot and ends at Bromfield St Mary’s Church. If you cross (under) the A49 here, you’ll arrive at Ludlow Farmshop and Ludlow Distillery.
Monkey Mania is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm, for indoor soft play. There’s a café with seating for parents, areas for toddlers and juniors and free WiFi. It’s free entry for parents, parking is free, under 1s are £1, 1-3yrs are £4, and 4yrs+ is £6.
Ludlow Library is open from 9.30 am every day (except Thursday & Sunday) and offers Lego club, story and craft sessions.
Shopping & Culture
Ludlow has a great choice of charity, antique and vintage shops if you love a good bargain hunt. It’s also free to browse around our renowned Ludlow Market, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (and most Thursdays & Sundays) on the market square.
St Laurence’s Church is open daily throughout the year, 10 am – 5 pm, 11 am – 5 pm Sundays, and entrance is free (with a suggested donation of £3 per adult visitor). With the Misericords in the Chancel, the Snetzler Organ, the incredible stained-glass windows and the tomb of Prince Arthur, there is so much to see, and the church offers free guided tours most Saturdays from mid-April to mid-November. There are free concerts and art exhibitions presented throughout the year.
Ludlow Assembly Rooms has recently launched Monday night film club screenings for £6 per person, celebrating “the best of old, new, classic, cult, independent, and foreign cinema”. Open to all; no membership required.