Welcome to the Ludlow English Song Weekend – one of the world’s most compact music festivals, and definitely, we like to think, the friendliest. I believe that in Ludlow we have found the dream location for a few days of top class music.
Concerts lie at the heart of what we do, but we have film, discussions and a masterclass too. This is a weekend of ideas. Some of our audience like total immersion in the whole weekend, while others pick and mix, happy to sit with a coffee between concerts and admire the view. Or you can go for something stronger after a long day’s listening, chatting to the performers in one of Ludlow’s historic pubs. So whatever your tipple, and whatever your musical enthusiasms, please come and join us. The warmest of welcomes is waiting for you in Shropshire.
Have a great Weekend,
Iain Burnside
Artistic Director
What’s On 2026
Friday 10th April 2026
Roderick Williams opens the festival with a programme featuring the UK premiere of eight haiku settings by Libby Larsen, interwoven with songs by Britten, Finzi, Schubert and more.
Saturday 11th April 2026
A day in celebration of Gerald Finzi, with four concerts featuring his settings of Thomas Hardy, each offering a different approach. Plus actors Alex Jennings and Joanna Scanlan.
Sunday 12th April 2026
A day in celebration of William Shakespeare, as we hear how he’s inspired composers around the world, and closer to home. Plus Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music for 16 voices.
Buy Tickets
Friends of Ludlow Song Passes
Friends of Ludlow Song Passes guarantee entry to the whole festival programme, including exclusive passholder events, and include an extra donation to support the future of LESW. Plus join us for wine and supper at our Welcome Reception.
Individual Pass: £320
Joint Pass for 2 people: £595
Festival Passes
Festival passes guarantee entry to the whole festival programme, including exclusive passholder events. Plus join us for wine and supper at our Welcome Reception.
Individual Pass: £270
Joint Pass for 2 people: £495
Single Event Tickets
Buy tickets to one or more of our concerts.
All tickets are now available.
From £25 – £40
Under 21s: £10
Visit Ludlow
Ludlow is a beautiful historic market town in South Shropshire. It sits near the middle of the border between England and Wales, on the edge of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding National Beauty.
If you’re joining us for the weekend, why not explore some of the town’s other highlights?