Summer may bring some of the busiest days in Ludlow’s calendar, but autumn has plenty to recommend it too.
The countryside around the town begins to change colour, the summer events calendar quietens down and there’s more time to linger over the places you might otherwise hurry through. Ludlow is compact enough to explore on foot, but there’s easily enough here to fill a day – and plenty of reasons to stay for longer.
If you’re planning an autumn visit, here are seven ways to make the most of it.
1. Give yourself time to explore the Castle
There’s a lot more to Ludlow Castle than can be seen from Castle Square.
Once inside the gates, you can explore almost 1000 years of history, from the Norman beginnings of the site through to the medieval period, when Ludlow became an important centre of royal life.
Autumn is a good time to explore at your own pace. Wander through the Great Hall and the medieval buildings around the Inner Bailey, climb the towers and leave enough time to stop and take in the views across Ludlow and the surrounding Shropshire countryside.
Following a busy summer of festivals, concerts and events, autumn puts the focus firmly back on exploring the Castle itself.
2. See Ludlow from above
A climb is rewarded with some of the best views in town. From the higher points of Ludlow Castle, the town’s rooftops stretch out below, with St Laurence’s Church rising above them and the Shropshire countryside beyond. Autumn brings a changing backdrop as the trees around the town and along the Teme take on their seasonal colours.
You can see the relationship between the Castle and the town from the opposite direction too.
St Laurence’s 15th Century tower stands 135 feet high and offers a spectacular 360-degree view across Ludlow and the surrounding countryside. From here, you can look down over the medieval street pattern of the town and back towards the Castle – a particularly good vantage point for appreciating just how close these two historic landmarks are.
St Laurence’s itself is well worth allowing time for too, with medieval stained glass and misericords among the treasures inside. The church is usually open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am – 5pm on Sundays, although it’s worth checking current visitor information before you set out (stlaurences.org.uk.)
(Image courtesy of Mr Gary Ellis)
3. Let Ludlow feed you
Ludlow’s relationship with good food hardly needs an introduction, and you don’t need to visit during a food festival to enjoy it.
Independent cafés, pubs, restaurants, bakeries, butchers, delis and food shops are all within walking distance of the Castle. Ludlow Market is just outside our gates too, with several specialist markets taking place during October, including Food & Craft, Local Producers’, Craft & Country and Antiques Markets.
If you’d like someone else to lead the way, Walking Food Tours of Ludlow are also running throughout October, visiting some of the town’s independent food and drink businesses along the way. Find out more at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
There’s no need to squeeze lunch in between everything else. Choose somewhere that takes your fancy and give it the time it deserves.
(Image Credit: Let’s Go Ludlow)
4. See what’s happening while you’re here
It’s worth checking the local calendar before you visit, as there’s plenty happening around Ludlow during October.
Ludlow Racecourse begins its autumn season with Ludlow Brewery Day on 7th October. Book lovers might prefer the weekend of 17th – 18th October, when the Ludlow Fine Book Fair brings around 35 bookbinders, printers, dealers and other specialists to the Clive Pavilion at Ludlow Racecourse. Entry to the fair is free.
Back in town, Ludlow Assembly Rooms has music, comedy, theatre, film and live performances throughout the month. Its half-term programme also includes children’s storytelling and writing events, magic and a Halloween Family Day Rave.
(Ludlow Bookbinders)
5. Explore the streets around the Castle
Castle Square leads into a network of historic streets lined with independent shops and buildings that show just how long this has been a busy market town. Look upwards as you walk and you’ll spot timber frames, unusual rooflines and architectural details that are easily missed at pavement level.
There are plenty of independent shops to browse too, from books and antiques to interiors, gifts, clothes and local produce.
You don’t need much of a route. Part of the pleasure is seeing where the next street leads!
6. Follow the hill down to the river
Head downhill from the town centre and you’ll soon reach the River Teme.
The riverside walks are quieter than the streets above, with views back towards the Castle and the wooded slopes around it becoming particularly striking as autumn progresses.
Looking back up at the Castle from the river also gives you a much better sense of its position in the landscape and the formidable site its medieval builders chose above the Teme.
Just remember that what goes downhill… eventually has to come back up.
7. Come back and see Ludlow in winter
An autumn day in Ludlow may leave you curious to see the town in another season.
By winter, the views from the Castle have changed again, Christmas lights are appearing around town and Ludlow’s independent shops are full of ideas for presents. Add plenty of good pubs, cafés and restaurants and it’s worth making more than a day of it.
There is some winter availability in Ludlow Castle’s self-catering apartments, right in the centre of town. With private parking, you can leave the car behind and explore Ludlow on foot, then return to your apartment at the end of the day.
December also brings Father Christmas to the Castle. On selected weekends, children can enjoy a personalised visit with Father Christmas, including a photo opportunity and special gift. Christmas trees, festive children’s activities and seasonal refreshments will also be part of the Castle visit.
Meet Father Christmas takes place on 5th – 6th, 12th – 13th and 19th – 20th December, with advance booking required.
Ludlow is well worth seeing at different times of year. If autumn is your first visit, winter might provide the reason to return.
Planning your autumn visit?
Ludlow Castle is open daily, with Chapter 66 café and the Castle Gift Shop on site. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Find visitor information, opening times, accommodation and upcoming events at ludlowcastle.com.