Shopping | Markets | Festivals | Crafts | Ludlow Town Tours | Leisure
See also Whats On

Shopping in Ludlow
One of Ludlow's strengths is its wide and varied range of individualistic shops, mostly independently owned, including traditional family businesses where shopping for food, clothing, ironmongery, gifts, antiques, books and many specialist products is an enjoyable voyage of discovery. There are also plenty of booksellers, antiques dealers, art galleries and craft shops that are well worth a visit. Shopping & Businesses in Ludlow

The Market
Ludlow has held street markets since the twelfth century. Nowadays, a traditional open-air market, managed by Ludlow Town Council, takes place in the town square (Castle Street) every Monday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year, with Wednesday markets from April to September. More than forty stalls selling a range of goods including fresh produce, cheeses, books and a selection of local crafts. Further information from the Markets Manager on 01584 871972.

In addition to the regular market, most Sundays see the market stalls being used either as a flea market (usually fortnightly), or for various specialist themes, such as books, gardens or crafts. See events pages for more details.

A Local Producers Market (or farmers' market), organised by Ludlow 21 Food and Farming Group, is held on the second Thursday of each month. This has 20 or 30 stalls with producers selling food and drink from within a 30-mile radius of Ludlow. More information from www.localtoludlow.org.uk

Festivals, fairs and carnivals
Ludlow's daily life is considerably enriched throughout the year by a series of festivals, fairs and carnivals set against the backdrop of Ludlow Castle.

The Spring Festival | Ludlow Marches Food & Drink Festival | May Fair | Medieval Christmas Fayre

The Spring Festival
Ludlow Food Festival's Spring Festival takes place in Ludlow Castle on the second weekend in May. A weekend of music and good food. Celebrating great local beers, bangers, bread - and much more! Further info

May Fair
May Day holiday weekend
A traditional fun fair takes place over the May Day bank holiday weekend, occupying the market square, the area in front of the castle and part of Mill Street.

Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival
Focusing on small local producers, and beyond, a great weekend, full of fun, and atmosphere. A food-lovers' paradise, dedicated to highlighting quality food and drink from independent producers and suppliers in Ludlow and the Marches, the weekend is packed with events both in Ludlow Castle and throughout the town centre. Held the second weekend in September. Further info

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre
Based in and around the castle, the Medieval Christmas Fayre is an evocative reconstruction of Christmases past, with plenty of inspired stalls to help you find presents from independent purveyors of a whole host of goods, with a particular emphasis on crafts and foods. More info

FOR DATES OF THESE EVENTS AND OTHERS IN AND AROUND LUDLOW CLICK HERE

Crafts in Ludlow
Ludlow and the rural area surrounding, are home to a wide range of highly skilled and respected craft workers, who maintain a tradition of tastefully designed, well made items of jewellery, pottery, textiles and furniture.

Many craft workers have workshops in the town, or display their work in local shops, galleries and on the street market.

There are also many craft fairs and markets throughout the year at which local craft workers display and sell their wares. See the What's On pages for full details of craft events coming up in Ludlow.

Leisure Activities
Ludlow Assembly Rooms is an arts centre providing cinema, music, and drama. For the latest programme details phone 01584 878141 or visit their website.

South Shropshire Leisure Centre, at Bromfield Road, provides a range of modern facilities including a sports hall, swimming pool, fitness and health suites, courts for hire and a refreshment area. The centre is open daily.

Tel: 01584 874620 for details

Elm Lodge Golf Course, a nine hole pay and play course on the fringe of Ludlow. [WEB SITE]

Ludlow Museum
The museum on Castle Street has exhibitions telling the story of Ludlow from the building of the castle and the establishment of the town, through medieval prosperity and political intrigue, to fashionable Ludlow of the 18th century. Also `Reading The Rocks': a celebration of Ludlow's contribution to international geology. For details and opening times contact 01584 873857/875384.

Ludlow Library
Ludlow's exciting new library serves the residents of the town and the South Shropshire area. With new books, access for the disabled, computers linked to the internet, meeting facilities and more local history information available for research, the new library provides even better services than before. [WEB SITE]

St Laurence's Parish Church
Further information about the church and its activities can be found on the here.

Local Walks
Ludlow is surrounded by ideal countryside for walking. Walks from the town lead out to forests and farmland; the Shropshire Hills are a short bus or car ride away.

Whitcliffe Common, steep and wooded, overlooks the castle and the river: it contains many short walks, and contains two internationally recognised geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest. (More details.) Ludlow is at the start of the Mortimer Trail, a long-distance path to Kington on the Herefordshire/Wales border. A range of walking leaflets, maps and booklets are available from the Tourist Information Centre. Ludlow Walks

Ludlow Town Tours
Guided tours of the medieval town centre of Ludlow are available every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter until the end of October and weekdays during the Ludlow Festival in June and July and also during Whitsunday half term holiday week.

Tours cost £2.50 per person; children free, and last about 90 minutes. The Meeting Point is at the cannon outside the Castle at 2.30 pm. They introduce visitors to: the history; the architecture; life in Ludlow over the centuries including some of today's planning challenges; and are spiced up with some gossip about the characters who lived in the Town.

Special Tours for small or large groups are available at any reasonable time or day, and can be booked with Roger Furniss at 01584 874205 or furniss@phonecoop.coop These also cost £2.50 per person with a minimum charge of £20.

It is also possible for an additional £10 to have an in-character tour with Thomas Farnolls Pritchard, Georgian architect and Inventor of cast iron bridges.