Where to stay in Ludlow

Ludlow ( LUD-loh) is a market town and civil parish in south Shropshire, England. It is located 28 miles (45 km) south of Shrewsbury and 23 miles (37 km) north of Hereford, on the A49 road which bypasses the town.

The settlement was known to the ancient Britons as Dinam, meaning “palace of princes”, and that is still the name of the western part of town. The Saxons knew it as hlud-hlǣ or Ludlowe, “loud-waters hill”, lapped to the west and south by the River Teme and to the north by the smaller River Corve. The Normans had a presence here even before their conquest of England, and their next task was to subdue the Welsh. They built a line of castles along the "Marches"– the continually patrolled borderlands – initially as wooden stockades, then as stone bastions.

Getting in

The town is bypassed to the east by A49. From London and the south follow M40 / M42 to Kidderminster then A456 onto A4117. For day-trips use the Park & Ride at the A49 junction. Next best for all-day parking is Smithfield, off Sheet Rd, though you have to walk up the hill into town. Galdeford Car Park incurs the same walk. The castle car park is more expensive and fills up early. National Cycle Network Route 44, also known as Six Castles Cycleway, courses from Bromfield to Pipe Aston. From London either travel from Euston and change at Crewe, or from Paddington and change at Newport.

Getting around

Walking is by far the best way to explore the old centre. Ludlow Park & Ride is east edge of town at the junction with the bypass A49. Bus 732 takes 10 min to get you into town hourly M-Sa. Bus 701 orbits the north side of town hourly M-Sa, and Bus 702 likewise goes south. Taxi: Annette's Cars are on +44 1584 878787. Teaky's Cars are on +44 7585 436643.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.