medieval

This historic Shropshire market town is bursting with history and has more than 500 listed buildings to explore, plus a vibrant food scene and festivals

Brimming with heritage, this charming market town makes for the perfect weekend escape, boasting over 500 listed buildings to discover and its renowned culinary scene.

Numerous visitors flock to Ludlow for its closeness to excellent hiking and cycling spots, while history enthusiasts adore it for its ancient churches, castles and mediaeval landmarks.

As the town has developed through the years, it now provides a lively atmosphere with its own market, independent retailers and regular festivals showcasing local talent.

Ludlow is situated along the River Teme, with its most ancient area being the mediaeval walled town, tracing as far back as the 11th century.

This section of the market town lies on the eastern bank of the river, whilst the castle perches on a hill and the remaining streets slope downwards towards the water.

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Ludlow Castle

As one of the primary tourist draws in the region, Ludlow Castle stands as an uninhabited, partly ruined medieval fortification. Its origins are traced as far back as 1066 – subsequently, it became the residence of Prince Edward from 1473 to 1483, and for centuries it remained under the care of the crown.

By 1760, the government had contemplated demolishing the structure but, owing to substantial costs, opted instead to lease it, and thus the Earl of Powis started his residency in 1711.

From that point onwards, the magnificent castle started to draw tourists, with their appreciation for the picturesque style, and walking routes were established exploring the grounds and neighbouring areas.

Following the success of this venture, the Earl acquired the castle in 1811, and it has remained under the guardianship of the Trustees of the Powis Castle Estate ever since, who hold ownership on behalf of the family.

One visitor commented on TripAdvisor: “Lovely morning exploring the castle; so much to wander around even though it was very cold. The views were amazing from the top of the towers. You could feel the history come alive whilst walking around.”

Another said: “The main attraction in Ludlow – a site of enormous historical significance. The castle covers a very extensive area with amazing views from the top. In the castle shop do go upstairs to the gallery; it has some very interesting information.”

The fortress, perched proudly atop that very same hill, continues to welcome the public to discover and understand its significance to the town. Opening hours may fluctuate, though the castle can generally be expected to be accessible from 10am until 4pm daily.

Admission tickets can be purchased upon arrival – though advance booking online is usually recommended. Adult admission costs £10, whilst a child ticket is £5 and family tickets are £28.

Stokesay Castle

The remarkable buildings don’t end there, as Stokesay’s magnificent manor house continues to captivate passers-by with its timber-framed features.

Constructed like a fortress, though in reality it is a mansion, completed in 1291, and with minimal signs of alteration or modernisation ever since.

Owned by English Heritage, the protected structure has been meticulously maintained to reflect its original state and provides guided tours for those eager to discover more.

The property was originally established by Laurence of Ludlow, a celebrated wool merchant, actually one of the finest in the nation, and it stayed within his family until the 16th century.

The building’s architecture and design offer valuable insights into the period and continue to serve as a portal to the past. It welcomes visitors from Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with adult admission priced at £9 and children’s tickets at £5.40.

One guest commented: “The castle that is not a castle! Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The audio guide provided us with an amazing amount of useful information. A must-visit whilst in the area.”

Dining options

Ludlow boasts a strong reputation as a haven for food lovers, frequently dubbed the culinary capital of Shropshire. It’s earned this accolade through its excellent range of local produce, with countless independent suppliers and premium artisan food, all highlighted at the yearly food festival.

Taking place over one weekend in September, this year on 11-13, the festival features a vibrant programme of live events, including culinary demonstrations, workshops, talks and, naturally, showcases produce you can purchase to take away.

Naturally, the area also boasts numerous pubs and restaurants that garner considerable acclaim in their own right. Topping the rankings on TripAdvisor is The Blue Boar, a beautifully restored Grade II listed pub located on Mill Street.

A recent visitor commented: “Wonderful cosy, homely, friendly pub. Called twice on our little getaway, food was excellent, service was professional and friendly, and we would definitely recommend it to all our friends and family. Can’t wait for our next trip to Ludlow just to visit here again.”

Additional dining establishments include The French Pantry, Old Downton Lodge, The Queens, and the Michelin restaurant, known as The Charlton Arms Restaurant.

With its ancient church ruins and historic houses, walkers and history enthusiasts flock to see the UK’s ‘best preserved’ medieval village

Tourists flock from far and wide to witness the UK’s ‘best preserved’ medieval village. Wharram Percy has stood empty for hundreds of years and now provides a captivating destination for ramblers and heritage buffs.

Tucked away in North Yorkshire, Wharram Percy ranks amongst Britain’s largest deserted medieval settlements and is certainly the most celebrated. Guests can wander freely across the ancient site, exploring the vestiges of centuries-old dwellings, a church, and manor house remains.

Perfectly positioned midway between crowd-pulling destinations Scarborough Castle and Clifford’s Tower in York, it proves an ideal pit stop when travelling between these two landmarks. Whilst admission to the settlement is complimentary, visitors face a modest £2 parking fee.

Throughout a remarkable 60-year span, archaeologists have steadily uncovered fresh insights into Wharram Percy’s past. Their discoveries have revealed why the location was originally forsaken and how residents lived during earlier eras.

Situated on a Yorkshire valley’s rim, this extraordinary settlement was home to communities for as long as six hundred years before being abandoned following the 1500s. Experts believe that even now, traces of former dwellings remain visible in the earth, alongside the more prominent ruins that draw inquisitive sightseers.

The history requires some unpacking, but specialists reckon the first settlement stretches back to around 50 BC. This territory was later converted into agricultural land but remained abandoned throughout the 5th century, before ultimately evolving into a Middle Saxon community.

It’s worth bearing in mind that accessing the village involves approximately a 3/4 mile trek from the car park to the principal area, which is often both precipitous and waterlogged. The location presents uneven ground across its entirety, which can prove difficult for certain visitors and is largely impractical for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

A TripAdvisor reviewer emphasised this point, noting: “Parking on the Heritage car park off the B1248 prepare for a trek to the village.”

They proceeded to characterise it as a “sharp gravelled decline” and a “daunting” expedition unsuitable for those with restricted mobility, as the path traverses farmland.

After their excursion, one enthusiast commended their experience, remarking: “Lovely walk from the car park to the site, but people with mobility issues may struggle. It’s a fascinating historical site that has been really well managed. Only a few visitors when we visited, which added to the peace and tranquillity of the place. Loved it!”

Another visitor commented: “This lovely deserted mediaeval village is truly fascinating! The history is incredible, and it was wonderful to wander around and explore. We really lucked out and had beautiful weather, so we got to sit on the grass by the pond and soak it all in.”