Ludlow's Architecture
Castle | St Laurence's Church | The Feathers
Situated on the River Teme in the outstanding countryside of the Welsh Marches, Ludlow's medieval street pattern survives almost intact (see history page), along with many ancient properties including a magnificent ruined castle and one of the largest parish churches in England. Modern buildings are few and far between in the town centre, whose streets are lined with medieval and Georgian buildings. There are over 500 listed buildings in the town: Broad Street, which leads from the Buttercross down through the Broadgate, has been described as the most beautiful street in Britain. Particularly interesting buildings include the Feathers Hotel and the Reader's House, the Buttercross and the Broadgate.
Ludlow Castle
The impressive ruins of the castle occupy the oldest part of Ludlow. Building of the castle started around 1085, with many later additions in the following two centuries and it is one of the most interesting castles in the Marches, in a dominant and imposing position high above the river Teme. It features examples of architecture from the Norman, Medieval and Tudor periods. The building of the castle led to the development of the town itself, at first grouped around the castle.
Edward IV founded the Council of the Marches of Wales in the late 15th century. The Council administered all of Wales and five adjacent English counties: its headquarters were in Ludlow Castle, and during this period many of England's princes and princesses stayed in Ludlow. The Council of the Marches ceased to exist in 1689, and after this the castle became derelict, although Ludlow itself was still on a wave of prosperity and was a fashionable centre for local gentry. As a result of the town's popularity, many of Ludlow's most notable buildings were built in the first part of the 18th century. The castle was bought by the present owners, the Earl of Powis in 1811.
As well as being open to the public throughout the year (see below), the inner and outer baileys are used for several festivals and other events each year, notably Ludlow Festival for the open-air production of a Shakespeare play for three weeks in June and July, Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival in September, Ludlow Craft Festival in late May, and the Marches Festival of Transport in early May.
Audio-guide available. Closed on Christmas Day and January weekdays.
Otherwise open from 10am every day. Tel. 01584 873355 for details.
More info from the Ludlow Castle web site.
Click here for another account of the history of the castle.
St Laurence's Parish Church
The parish church is one of the largest in the country. It was mostly re-built in the mid-15th century but some earlier features survive. There are fine misericords and stained glass. The poet A.E. Housman, author of 'A Shropshire Lad', is commemorated in the churchyard. Open all year. Stewards on duty in the spring, summer, and autumn 10 am-5 pm. Conducted tours can be arranged via the Rector at 4 College Street. Tel.: 01584 872073.
Further information about the church and its activities can be found on the St Laurence's web-site
The tower of St. Laurence's contains one of the finest rings of 8 bells in the country. The bells have significant historical interest and feature in the early development of change ringing. More info about the bells:
Oh come you home of Sunday
When Ludlow streets are still
And Ludlow bells are calling
To farm and lane and mill.
A E Housman
The Feathers Hotel
The oldest part of the Feathers, including the world famous timber facade, was built in 1619 (during the reign of King James I) by Rees Jones, a successful attorney in the town, who had frequently appeared before the Council of the Marches, which from 1536 until 1689 was situated in Ludlow making the town in effect the capital of Wales.
The name of the hotel springs from the motifs of ostrich feathers forming part of the timber framed facade. They can still be seen by the discerning eye on the collars of the three street gables, although now weathered by the centuries. Ostrich feathers (traditionally the badge of the Prince of Wales) were still very much in vogue in the town at the time that the timber facade was being constructed following celebrations in 1616 for the investiture of Charles (the future King Charles I) as Prince of Wales.
Ludlow was a town with Royalist sympathies and remained loyal throughout the English Civil War, during which it is thought that Royalist soldiers were billeted at the Feathers. Indeed Rees Jones' son Thomas Jones fought as a Captain in the King's Army and well after the Civil War he converted the Feathers to an inn, around 1670.
The Feathers remained an inn for the next 200 years during which time, as well as providing sleeping accommodation, food and much beer, the inn was occasionally used as a venue for cock-fighting and prize-fighting. It was also at the centre of politics in the town when candidates for parliamentary elections would make speeches from the hotel balcony then invite voters inside for a drink to help secure their votes.
From 1863 the Feathers became known as a hotel and since then has gradually evolved and expanded through the acquisition of properties on either side of the original house to become established as Ludlow's leading hotel with a fine international reputation. A new programme of expansion and refurbishment is currently underway which will help the hotel to enhance its reputation still further and meet the increasing demands of the 21st century. Visit The Feathers Hotel
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