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.
Getting here
By Road
Ludlow is just off the A49, between Leominster and Shrewsbury.
By Rail
Don’t want to drive? Ludlow railway station is only a short walk from the town centre, and is served by frequent Transport for Wales services. (The station is Llwydlo in Welsh). Trains run into the late evening.
There are direct services from Manchester Piccadilly (1 hr 40 m), and Newport South Wales (1 hr 12m), and it’s just a short local trip from Shrewsbury (27m) or Hereford (20m), or a hop from Church Stretton (13m) or Craven Arms (7m) in the Shropshire Hills.
Visit Transport for Wales or National Rail for full details and timetables.
Our Venues
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Our home for the festival weekend is Ludlow Assembly Rooms, a beautiful Italianate building on Castle Square dating from 1840, which is now an arts and community venue at the centre of Ludlow life.
Newly refurbished, Ludlow Assembly Rooms has a beautiful auditorium ideal for concerts, film screenings and panel discussions. There’s also social space in the building, with lots of seating, where you can relax between events, say hello to the team and meet fellow festival-goers.
On the ground floor, you’ll find Ludlow Visitor Information Centre and Bill’s Kitchen, an independent cafe serving delicious, homemade food. Upstairs, the venue’s function room (Oscar’s) is where we hold our Welcome Reception for festival passholders.
The building is wheelchair accessible, and has a lift to all floors. If you would like to book a wheelchair place for our events at Ludlow Assembly Rooms you can let the box office know when you book. You can also email Toria, our administrator, with any questions about access at info@ludlowenglishsongweekend.com.
For more information visit ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk or call 01584 818141.
St Laurence’s Church
We also hold recitals in Ludlow’s magnificent parish church, which is just a 2 minute walk from the Assembly Rooms.
St Laurence’s is a spectacular church, dating mainly from between 1199 and 1470 and often known as the ‘Cathedral of the Marches’. It contains many treasures including exceptional medieval stained glass and a set of early 15th century misericords. Click here for an online guide to the church or take a tour in person while you’re here.
St Laurence’s is the resting place of the ashes of A E Housman (1859-1936), author of ‘A Shropshire Lad’, an inspiration to many English composers. He is remembered with a memorial plaque – and a cherry tree – outside the church.
There is level access to the building, and the nave (where the audience sits for concerts) is wheelchair accessible, with reserved wheelchair spaces available to book. There are toilets, including an accessible toilet, within the church. You can email Toria, our administrator, with any questions about access at St Laurence’s at info@ludlowenglishsongweekend.com.
“Ludlow is probably the loveliest town in England... with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.”
John Betjeman
Ludlow is a perfect place to relax and unwind. If you’re joining us for the weekend, why not explore some of the town’s other highlights?
The Castle
Ludlow Castle is one of the finest medieval ruins in England with superb views over the Shropshire countryside. Why not walk through the grounds and explore the ancient lodgings of kings, queens, and the nobility and get a glimpse into medieval and Tudor society?
Visit ludlowcastle.com for more information, opening times and events.
The historic town centre
Ludlow developed as a planned Norman town with the castle, church and market at its centre. Fortified with town walls in the 13th century, it remained a prosperous centre throughout the medieval and Tudor periods. Reemerging as a fashionable town in the 18th Century, it also boasts a wealth of elegant Georgian houses, and this mix of historic architectural styles – with almost 500 listed buildings – gives Ludlow its special charm.
Walks in Ludlow and beyond
You can climb up the 201 steps of St Laurence’s church tower for a dramatic view, take a walk around the town, or explore further afield, including in Mortimer Forest just to the west of the town. For more information on walks in Ludlow and the surrounding countryside, including guides to a range of routes to suit everybody, visit ludlow.org.uk/walking.
Browse, shop, eat and drink
Ludlow has an historic market, and a wealth of independent and speciality shops selling local produce, arts and crafts, antiques and vintage goods. It’s also well known as a centre for food lovers, with a fantastic choice of cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
Visit theludlowguide.co.uk for more about eating and drinking in Ludlow, and for information about where to stay. Or see the best of Ludlow on Tripadvisor here.