Overview

Looking forward to visiting Ludlow as years since last there, but very disappointed by the state of the town area, council have let it go downhill and it needs to be improved as we found it rather disabled unfriendly, pavements dodgy, some too narrow for wheelchair to move freely, uneven surfaces, most buildings uncared for and in need of maintenance and painting, typical unkept council town. BUT ITS STILL INTERESTING AND WORTH GOING TO SEE. To get you to the start of our suggested visit to Ludlow and to follow our route, then use your sat NAV and follow our route. Set sat NAV to SY8 4AL, this will start you off at THE SALWAY ARMS, Wooferton, Ludlow, on the A49, approaching from the east, west, or midlands. When there, set sat NAV to SY8 1AT. As approaching Ludlow and the river, take this diversion we suggest, to see a view over Ludlow and far off countryside, it’s worth the extra five minute journey. As you drop down towards the bridge over the river needed to cross to get you into town, just as you approach the narrow bridge, you will first of all head for a red brick building with FIVE TALL chimneys on your left, just before traffic lights on bridge, and here, we ask you TO TURN LEFT and climb the hill. STAY until you reach open land on your right that offers views over Ludlow, and just beyond there is a triangular turn off, ideal for you to turn around and park up so as to enjoy the view over LUDLOW town, and far away Shropshire views. (photo 1) You get a very good view of the large castle itself (photo 2) There are even seats here for fellow passengers to go and stretch their legs, after a long journey. You will be best to stay in car, as another 10 minutes will take you into Ludlow and it’s car park. NOW DROP BACK towards Ludlow, following the sat NAV directions you entered already, SY8 1AT, turning left for the traffic lights and bridge. Cross over bridge, and drive straight ahead, heading for the church you can see up the hill. This will take you towards the Wheatsheaf Inn and a very narrow archway, go through it. (Photo 3) We have a rather big car, but could just get through, even a lorry did ahead of us. Drive ahead to reach the clock tower of the Buttercross building, (photo 4) and sat NAV will show you need to turn left here, along a narrow street, lined with Tudor style old buildings, and follow past market square (market held on Wednesdays) up towards castle entrance, where you will need to turn right and head back the other side of market square and follow car park sign on wall ahead. (photo 5) It is a rather small car park, with just 4 disabled bays, (photo 6) but you are allowed to park where you can hopefully find an empty bay. IT IS NOT FREE, minimum of £1, but they will add an extra hour for you the disabled person. whoopy ! There are toilets here, including disabled toilet (photo 7) but you will need a radar key to get in, (what on earth is that) and a twenty pence coin. We had to use ladies or gents. From the car park, walk to the left at market square (photo 5) and go along the narrow alley to the left (photo 9) and continue to the BUTTERCROSS (photo 10) built in 1746. Just behind this on a narrow alley is the parish church of St Laurence built in the 11th century. We found it hard to take a photo as you are on top of it without a long shot available, but worth popping in to see its interior. Come out of the alley again going left, and look out for the readers house, where the bible reader resided, a rare skill at this period of time, so a position of prestige. Now follow the narrow alley ahead (photo 11) to the junction, and walk left for a few yards to see THE FEATHERS HOTEL (photo 12) built in 1619, and a hotel since 1863 and still in use today, but it doesn’t open very early for drinks. TURN AROUND NOW, and walk up towards traffic lights (photo 13) and around you are quite a few old buildings worth looking at (photo 14) but at lights TURN RIGHT (photo 15) and walk along to reach a delightful little TEA ROOM (photo 16) and we left the wheelchair on the corner of the narrow alley, just shifting a chair out of the way, (ups, naughty) and folding chair up. Step inside to a very nice and pleasant Tea room, (photo 17) and just inside there are about a dozen seats that a disabled person can sit and rest, but too many steps down after these few seats, impossible for us to get down. They were open by 10.00am, so we enjoyed a very nice coffee and tea cake (18) As we walked along through Ludlow town, it included 5 grade one buildings, along with many other grade 11 listed, so lots of photos can be taken. So let’s back back to the car, and head for our next destination (photo 19). Do enjoy Ludlow, it’s a very interesting old historical town, Let’s give you a bit of history now about Ludlow and the town area. This old medieval market town was founded in the 11th century. It centres around Ludlow castle which lies south on a small hill, and just a short walk away from St Laurence parish church. There are 500 listed buildings here, many medieval half timbered Tudor style buildings It’s name Ludelowe was in use by 1138, coming from an olde English word, Hlud Hlaew, and at that time, there were rapids here, so Hlud meant “the loud waters” and Hlaew meant “hill” so it’s meaning was “a place on a hill by the loud waters.” Around the 12th century weirs were added, which tamed the rapids. The castle was first known as Dunham castle, and on the western side of Ludlow, part is still known as Dinham. The castle began to be built about 1075, but there is no mention of it in the Doomsday book of 1086, as it was still being built at that time, and added to, such as the church of St Mary Magdalene which was built inside the walls, and not until 1130 was the great tower added as part of the gatehouse. It’s town walls however were not completed until the 13th century. Between the 11th and 12th the town was being built on a grid pattern, Castle Square high street and King street formed the market place. A ford flowed by and over to Ludford, with a small bridge, now replaced by the modern stone a Ludford bridge. This was a border fortification, Wales and England, and it seems the town walls and gates were in place by 1270. The town was a centre for various trades, and in 1372 it had 12 trade guilds here, although wool and cloth was its main source of Ludlow wealth right up until the 17th century. If you want to visit the castle, in spring 2022 it will cost £8.00 to get in, £7.00 over 65 years, £3.50 for children, it seems there is no support for disabled or carers available. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Very interesting historical town, well worth visiting, but not the best for disabled and carers, as bumpy, uneven paving, narrow pavements at times, but still worth the effort, so we do recommend Ludlow to you, it’s just the disappointment of it being a very unkept and neglected town that disturbs us, so only offering low marks for that reason. Do enjoy your visit.

Transport & Parking

There is a car park near to castle, with very limited disabled bays, but pushing wheelchair around was very difficult.

Access

Right from leaving car park, we found it very difficult to move wheelchair around as pavements uneven in far to many spots, narrow pavements meant we always felt in the road of everyone, to many times we had to risk getting down off narrow pavement, and apart from near castle, you cannot find anywhere to just stop and rest. Very disappointed with Ludlow and it’s councillors who have let the town go downhill.

Toilets

There are disabled toilets near to car park by castle, but you need a radar key, what on earth is that, and how do you get one? So not able to get in, tried public toilet for gents, 20 pence to use, and they are just typical run toilets, not impressed. You will have to get out of chair to use.

Staff

Photos