On a rainy evening I stepped out of the train at a quiet railway station. There were just another 4-5 passengers who alighted from the train. It was drizzling and the sky was overcast with rain laden clouds.
This was Ludlow.
Google maps showed a 6 min walk to my B&B and as I started walking, following the map, it turned to be an uphill walk. Few minutes in the town, and I felt the quiet and the slowness. I came to the end of the main road which was a flat walk. The houses on both sides looked very pretty, laden with flowery gardens.
I reached my B&B, my host was Sue, an adorable lady who made me comfortable in my first floor room which had a quintessential English decor. I settled down and made myself a cup of tea. The large window in my room overlooked a very pretty leafy garden. I stuck my head out of the window and took some long deep breaths, thats what I do when I go to any new place. Inhaling the air of a new place, a new adventure, connecting with my own solo company and the joy of being free.
Rest of the evening was spent with finishing my book near the window and watching telly.
Next day morning was Sunday and my day to explore Ludlow. The town center was my obvious choice to start as I was famished for breakfast. It was a 10 minute walk and all the way I fantasised a full English breakfast.
It was a sunny day and I couldn’t feel more spunky.
In the town center I saw few people wandering around, guessed must be in search for food as well. I spent next 15 minutes going all around the center but didn’t find any open cafes except dear old Greggs. And it seemed to be real busy, well I can just say it was a saviour. Though not full English, I settled for the standard Gregg sausage bap, coffee and some juice to go.
After my fill I spent about an hour roaming the streets and walking all around the castle. This walk around the castle walls is beautiful, you will see different sides of the town. Walking thru leafy streets and taking a moment to turn back and admire some views is what I did throughout the walk. The castle is perched on a hill and you can spot it from various points across the town. Dating back to 1066 AD this castle has been home to various kings, queens, knights and royalty. As I mentioned, you will get some sweeping views of Shropshire countryside which are exquisite. Now I was back to the entrance of the castle. It was open but I chose to skip visiting it from inside. I got this photo below from the entrance gates.
Breadwalk
From the front of the castle, I started walking towards the River. I had read the previous evening about a circular walk called ‘The Breadwalk’. This 1.5 mile walk takes you around the river and the forest. First you get to the Millenium green. A vast green area right at the river. If you would like to grab a coffee this is your time from the big cafe which was earlier a Mill and called Mill on the Green. There are lots of benches to sit and enjoy your coffee and snack has get some great views of the river, ducks and the Bridge
From here head onto the Dinham bridge. Beautiful stone bridge built on River Teme. With the castle behind you, you will turn left at the end of the bridge. There are sign posts as well. And then keep walking on the trails. Do not forget to turn and admire views of the castle.
Its a gentle walk and at a decent pace will take about 30 minutes. Its dog friendly, so if you have a dog they will love it. And if you dont have a dog, other’s dogs will love you along this walk. Take a pause whenever you get some great views of the town, I think this walk gives you a lot of photo-ops for pictures of the red and grey roofs of the cottages and the church tower amidst the green foliage. At the end of the walk you will exit next to a pub The Charlton Arms. From here you can see the bridge which goes back into the town. You can walk back from here to the town center crossing Broad Gate and the Wheatsheaf Inn and this completes your Breadwalk.
Lunch
By now I had worked a decent appetite for a meal and could not wait to try the Ludlow food scene which seems to be quite popular as per my B&B landlady. As I stepped into the town, it had miraculously become very populated. So there was a bank holiday summer fair set up near the castle and people had thronged from everywhere to visit. So I browsed few places but they did not have any seating. Finally I got one in a very large place called Pietro’s Lounge. And I got a garden spot. This was rather a large cafe with all kinds of cuisines, quite modern. While I would have loved a local pub lunch, I settled for this place as I was really hungry. The food was decent and beer was standard.
Now my belly was well stocked and I was feeling nothing but awfully sleepy and tired. What else will one feel after long walk + beer + carbs!
However I didn’t want to head back to the B&B just to sleep on my holiday. So I decided to stroll around. Honestly by now I had walked thru most of the town center. I mean its a small town, all British small towns have 3-4 main streets joining into the Town center. Anyhow! I had passed the local church in the morning but it was hosting the Sunday mass. So I decided now to visit it as it was late afternoon.
This is the parish church of St Laurence, a living church which is more than 800 years old.
For a small town, this church surprised me with its largeness and stained glass windows, something that I also noticed in Shrewsbury. The church was not very quiet as it had a bunch of nonnas who were directing people here and there, a children’s craft class was on and they were inviting people to visit the small church shop to buy some knick knacks. I spent some time here, usually I would sit quietly in a church for a while but this was a very busy day for the church. It was really beautiful inside. Outside its grounds are full of trees, gardens and some timber houses.
The Fair
It was past 3pm. And the town center was really bustling with people and lots of childern. It was beautiful, lively, the sun was playing hide and seek but the vibe with the summer fair was just amazing. Now I was in no mood to climb any of the roller coasters, it would be the worst idea to see Ludlow from the top. So I just aimlessly strolled thru the fair checking almost every stall and simply enjoying seeing people play and attempt to shoot balloons for a teddy bear reward. Candyfloss, cheese burgers, doughnuts, the air smelled very different in this part of the town.
I had to give into the demand of the summer fair and be the fair lady 🙂
So I went for my favourite from Mr Whippy’s cousins in the market. Standard vanilla soft serve, always delivers!.
And that was probably going to be the well deserved closure to a lovely day in Ludlow
I was tired and also very well fed. As I continued to lick the last bits of my ice cream, I started making my way back to the B&B. I know it was too early as it was just about 5pm and people had just started pouring into the fair. But I was tired being on my feet all day. And my walking was not over yet. I slowly started back. On the way I clicked pictures of many cute alleys and the old buildings and popped into few independent boutiques as well. There is a large TESCO near the station so I walked there and picked up some light nibbles and drinks as I was not too hungry but wanted to be stocked for rest of the evening.
I retired at my B&B. After a hot shower settled with a cuppa and watched some telly.
It was a perfect day where I got over 20k steps exploring the lovely town of Ludlow. I wanted to come to a small place which is not overtouristy and is still authentic and this was the perfect one. The peace and quiet in a small place like this is unbeatable.
I hope this post will help you to plan your day in Ludlow. A very happy break from busy London and over busy corporate life.
Tomorrow which is a Bank holiday Monday, is my day to explore Church Stretton and hike up Long Mynd so I called it a night to give some rest to my legs for the next adventure for tomorrow.
