Ludlow is a lovely place to visit in the autumn (Image: Getty)
A beautiful town with a market dating back close to a millennium is a good place to visit this autumn.
Shropshire is a county that often gets overlooked, whether due to its remote, rural location or proximity to bigger, more attention-grabbing West Country spots. But there is a huge amount to like about it.
The county town, Shrewsbury, is a lovely place and the historic birthplace of Charles Darwin. The Shropshire Hills are an area of outstanding natural beauty that runs through much of the country, as does the River Severn. It is home to the Ironbridge Gorge, known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and for the world’s first cast-iron bridge, and numerous medieval castles, such as Shrewsbury.
One particularly pleasant part of the county is Ludlow, a small market town that punches well above its weight.
The castle is the centre piece of the town (Image: Getty)
It’s a genuinely historic town rather than a preserved-in-amber tourist trap. Ludlow is a town of history, but even a quick visit will remind you that this is not a town that time has forgotten – it’s thriving, with a foodie scene focused on sustainable farming and Shropshire produce, plenty of local pubs selling local ale, and independent antique, vintage and clothing shops.
Ludlow sits on high ground on the east bank of the River Teme and boasts more than 500 listed buildings, many in Tudor and Georgian styles, housing local bakeries, bookshops and tearooms. Streets are cobbled and generally uncrowded, except during its annual food festival, when around 20,000 people descend on the town.
When in Ludlow it’s impossible to miss Ludlow Castle, the town’s centerpiece. It’s an outstanding, very well-restored castle with excellent views, founded by the Normans but reaching the height of its powers in the 14th and 15th centuries under the Mortimers.
Weekly markets have long been a feature of the town (Image: Getty)
St Laurence’s Church is Shropshire’s largest parish church, founded by the Normans way back in the 11th century. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in England. You can climb the tower for panoramic views over the town and countryside, and see the many stained glass windows inside.
The historical fun continues outside of town, where Stokesay Castle sits a short ride away. It is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified manor houses in England, commissioned in the 13th century, with a magnificent Great Hall and carved 17th-century panelling.
The undulating hills of the surrounding area make Ludlow a great base for a walking holiday. The Bread Walk is a lovely circular riverside route, starting at the castle, crossing the River Teme, and following the water for about a mile, stopping at The Charlton Arms for a drink on its balcony overlooking the river. Carding Mill Valley, the Long Mynd heathland and the Clee Hills, which have Iron Age archaeological sites, are other fine local spots.
Its market makes it an ideal destination for shopping. The town’s ancient market square has been trading for over 900 years, with regular markets on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. Specialist Markets run most Thursdays and Sundays, featuring themes like the Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market, antiques, crafts, and country markets
Food and drink are strengths of the town. There’s a well-regarded local brewing scene, Ludlow Brewing Company, in a restored Victorian railway shed, offers tours and live music, plus well-loved cafés like CSons on Whitecliffe Common, known for locally sourced, seasonal food. The town’s Food and Drink Festival is a major annual draw. It takes place in the shadows of the castle, this year from September 11 to 13.
The food festival, the lush surrounding countryside, and the sites of historical interest are just some of the reasons why Ludlow is a great place to visit in the autumn.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
