The next few months are packed full of events in and around Ludlow. May begins with the return of the ever-popular May Fair in the town centre before preparations get fully underway to celebrate the Coronation. Then festival season takes off with the Spring Festival at its new venue and the exciting NEW Ludlow Piano Festival, brainchild of Alistair McGowan. The fabulous Fringe Festival rolls us into summer with a fantastic line-up of famous faces, live comedy, Shakespeare in the Castle and the colourful Myths, Legends and Fairytales street parade.
Food, drink, music, art, theatre, nature and fun, there’s something for everyone.
FOR KING AND COMMUNITY
Ludlow May Fair
THURSDAY, 28th April – MONDAY, 1st May
The May Fair will be back in town from Friday, 28 April, to Monday, 1 May. Times TBC.
Sunday will see the traditional May Fair service on the bumper car rides. Times TBC
Coronation Big Lunch
SUNDAY, 7th MAY 2023 FROM 12:00-18:00
A picnic in Ludlow Castle as part of the national Big Lunch celebrations. In celebration of community and friendship, neighbours are invited to share food and fun at the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday, 7 May 2023. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch brings the festivities to your neighbourhood and is a great way to get to know your community better.
Antiques at Ludlow Market
SUNDAY, 7th MAY 2023, FROM 10:00-15:30
Antiques market in Ludlow town centre
Promenade & Prosecco
THURSDAY, 18th MAY 2023 AT 17:45
Join the local networking group, Ludlow Women’s Hub, for a short circular walk, followed by drinks and a chat on the green. Option to skip the walk if preferred; four-legged friends welcome. Bring your drink and nibbles or takeaway available from CSONS.
MUSIC, ART AND CULTURE
Paint night in Ludlow
TUESDAY, 2nd May 2023, FROM 19:00-21:00
Join The Paint Club at Ludlow Brewing Co. as you paint a midnight stroll through Paris.
No experience is required. All painting materials provided (apron, brushes, paint and a canvas that you can take home). A finished masterpiece in 2 hours.
Drink to be purchased separately.
The Paint Club are at Ludlow Brewery every 1st Tuesday of the month
Jazz Café at Bill’s Kitchen with Ross Hicks
MONDAY, 8th MAY 2023, FROM 19:00-21:30
A fabulous Pop-Up Jazz Event!
Ross Hicks is a Cardiff Based jazz pianist and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama graduate. He’ll be playing a mix of standards and bossa but also modern tunes from the likes of Oscar Peterson to John Taylor. Expect a relaxed and easy few sets with some of the jazz world’s most beautifully written songs!
The excellent value ticket means you can get a delicious meal and great music for just £25. If you wish to enjoy the music (and maybe a glass of wine) without eating, tickets are £15.
Shred Belly at The Rose & Crown
SATURDAY, 13th MAY 2023 FROM 20:45-22:45
Back at The Rosy, the bands hopes to have the lovely singing voices back again, Shred the word!
Open Mic SUNDAY SESSIONS at Ludlow Brewery
SUNDAY, 21st MAY 2023 FROM 16:00-20:30
Open Mic session hosted by Mike Longmore.
Slots from 4pm. Go along and have a jam! Free drink for performers. Performers age 16+. The taproom is a family-friendly venue. All welcome to come and watch.
The Band Fix plus Support
SATURDAY, 27th MAY 2023, FROM 19:30-23:30
Debut gig at The Brewery for “The Band Fix”, a band created by the two original members of The Fabulous Bordellos, Roy & Dave, who are now joined by the bass guitar of Caldi. They will be playing an eclectic mix of covers from Beatles to Bowie, Crowded House to Dr Feelgood and much more. Expect an entertaining night!
Doors open 7.30pm. Live music from 8pm.
Ludlow Piano Festival
WEDNESDAY, 24th – SUNDAY, 28th May
The first Ludlow Piano Festival – four full days of piano concerts and events at three venues in the beautiful and historic town of Ludlow in Shropshire.
The first Ludlow Piano Festival – four full days of piano concerts and events held at three venues in the beautiful and historic town of Ludlow in Shropshire.
The event is the brainchild of Joint Artistic Director and Chair Alistair McGowan, who said, ‘Ludlow has three perfect venues with excellent pianos all within 100 metres of each other. So, we hope people will come from near and far to see and hear as many of our three events a day for as many days as possible.’
Bad Medicine – An evening of Bon Jovi
SATURDAY, 17th June 2023 AT 21:00
Bon Jovi Tribute Duo Show at the Compasses in Ludlow
Ludlow Fringe Festival
SATURDAY, 17th June – SUNDAY, 2nd July 2023
Ludlow Fringe is an independent Arts, Community and Culture festival.
It was established as a Community Interest Company in 2013 to provide an annual inclusive, vibrant and diverse Arts Festival in Ludlow during June and July.
“Ludlow Fringe goes from strength to strength. This year we have Jasper Carrott and Dame Judi Dench booked already, plus Flabbergast Theatre, who performed Macbeth for us last year are back with their amazing version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Shakespeare at Ludlow Castle
SATURDAY, 17th June – SATURDAY, 24th June
The Award winning Flabbergast Theatre return to Ludlow Castle’s Inner Bailey after wowing audiences with their interpretation of Macbeth in 2022.
This year they bring a rambunctious approach to Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Goblins and Sprites run amok as the King and Queen of the Faeries settle a spat causing havoc among the humans caught up in their machinations.
Combining a respectful approach to the text and a creative focus on storytelling, Flabbergast bring the magic of midsummer alive with physical comedy, folk song, dance, and expert use of European theatre arts.
Picnic in the Outer Bailey from 6 pm.
Richards Castle Soap Box Derby
SUNDAY, 25th June at 10:00
A fun day out for all the family in this festival of speed, ingenuity and mishaps! There are two categories this year – 4-wheel and 3-wheel with both adult and junior classes. All runs (except practice runs) will count towards your best two runs this year. Registration is from 7.30 am Sunday or 6.30 pm to 8 pm Saturday. The day starts at 10 am for spectators and raises funds for local charities.
FOR FOOD & DRINK LOVERS
Beefy Boys Bank Holiday Burgers
MONDAY, 8th MAY 2023 FROM 12:00-17:00
As if they need an introduction!
The Beefy Boys are back at the Brewery, freshly crowned National Burger Awards winners. Serving burgers fit for a king!
Ludlow Spring Festival
FRIDAY, 12th – SUNDAY, 14th May
NEW venue at Ludlow Rugby Club
Barrels of fun, feasting, live music and motors. Over 60 of the finest food and drink exhibitors to tempt your taste buds. Be prepared to stock up on your favourites and discover new ones too.
Miniyaki’s Japanese Street Food
SATURDAY, 20th MAY 2023 FROM 12:00-17:00
Proving that Japanese food is so much more than just sushi.
Join Ludlow Brewery for authentic Japanese street food as Miniyaki returns, serving from midday. Enjoy a beer pint or another tap from the fully stocked bar. There are lots of soft drinks available for the kids too.
Steak Experience at The Clive Arms
FRIDAY, 9th June
A steak night with a difference! Ludlow Farmshop butcher will be onsite at The Clive Arms, and you will have the opportunity to choose a cut and weight of steak of your choice and then have it cooked to perfection by The Clive Arms’ head chef. This is a real unique butchery steak experience like no other and is set to be very popular.
The Steak Experience menu will be available very soon.
Please call 01584 856565 or email info@theclivearms.co.uk to book your table. A pre-order will be required.
BACK TO NATURE
Creating Stepping Stones
FRIDAY, 12th May
For Nature Recovery across the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership and wider.
Learn more about Nature Recovery plans in the Shropshire Hills AONB and beyond.
Please find more about opportunities for community groups and individuals with gardens, small plots of land/fields, and small woodland interested in improving their plots for wildlife and nature recovery.
There will also be information for Parish and Town councils on the Environment Act and opportunities available to help prepare local Nature Recovery strategies and how to develop local plans to reverse the decline in species abundance.
Book your place now by emailing: conference@middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk
The Highwood Open Garden
SUNDAY, 21st May
Open for one day, beautiful gardens at The Highwood, with attractive features, walks, views and sumptuous refreshments. The Highwood is set on a promontory above the gorgeous North Herefordshire village of Yarpole, with its vibrant pub, cafe and shop. Bordered by the National Trust at Croft Castle and Bircher Common, this Georgian house rises out of its Parkland, affording stunning views across woodland and pasture towards a rim of blue hills on the far horizon. Lovely gardens, water features, and pretty woodland walks are pleasantly spaced across the undulating landscape, full of spots for visitors to stop and enjoy the views—plant stall, parking, WC and sumptuous tea, coffee and cakes available. Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Entry Fee £5, children under 12 free.
Festival of the Forest
SUNDAY, 11th June 2023 FROM 10:00-16:00
A celebration of traditional woodland crafts and produce, with live demonstrations of rural skills. Charity stands, stalls selling their produce and guided walks in the surrounding forest. Please join us on Sunday 11 June at Monstay Farm, opposite the Vinnalls Car Park, Mortimer Forest, Shropshire, SY8 2HE, parking on site. If you would like to sell your goods or demonstrate at the festival please get in touch, it is £25 per plot: info@friends-of-mortimer-forest.org.uk
Secret Gardens of Ludlow – LARFE event
SUNDAY, 18th June @ 12:00
Explore an eclectic selection of lovely private gardens open for this popular annual fundraising event. New and firm favourites will all look their very best for the occasion. They range from spacious formal gardens with topiary and sculpture to a delightful courtyard garden bursting with colour and allotments in a glorious setting. All offer horticultural interest, inspiration and incredible views of St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Castle and Whitcliffe. All are within easy walking distance of Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
Tea and homemade cakes, Ice creams, Prosecco bar and Plants available in various gardens. Accompanied children 12 years and under go free. Wheelchair access is sadly unavailable, and dogs are not admitted.
After purchase, you must collect your Secret Gardens Ticket from Ludlow Assembly Rooms Box Office. There is no rush for you to do this – they’ll happily keep it ready until the box office closes on 18 June!!
Please note that an e-ticket/receipt will not allow you to enter the gardens.
For all details and more events, visit our WHAT’S ON page
