Ludlow is a town which I've loved since my teens. We lived at the next town down, Leominster, and I had friends in Ludlow who I'd regularly stay with. My wife and I holidayed in the town when newly married, and my parents have lived there for the past 5 years or so.
As per the 
It is a town with a long and rich history well worth investigation. Last year I did a commentary walk around the castle on Zoom for a friend, and am considering doing it again this summer.
The town has architecture from the middle ages on and seeing how different eras extended the town is fascinating.
For this small visit I'm looking at just a few pictures I have of the town.
First up is a firm favourite. A bridge (I love bridges) and a pub (I love a nice pub).
This is Ludford Bridge at the south side of Ludlow. It crosses the River Teme and connects the town of Ludlow with the village of Ludford. The bridge dates from the fifteenth century, although there were extensive repairs in the nineteenth century and some strengthening and widening work done in the twentieth century. Tge building just beyond the bridge is The Charlton Arms, colloquially referred to as The Charlie. It used to be a real locals pub, and is still well frequented by folks nearby, but now looks to cater more to visitors
Pinmapple Link
This next picture is taken standing on the bridge and looking downstream. We see the top of one of the weirs which were built to tame the Teme sometime in the middle ages. There is a suggestion that the word Lud - as in Ludlow and Ludford - is from an old English word meaning 'to roar' and was descriptive of the sound of the river making it's way down a steep river bed. As the picture above and below show the weirs are effective at calming the waters, and make for a lovely place to walk.
The village of Ludford is really just one or two streets and lurks beyond the riverbank enveloped in well established trees and surrounded by fields. The view here is a little down from Ludford Bridge and looking across one of the weirs
If you stand on Ludford Bridge and look up the road you are looking at Broad Street, which leads through The Broad Gate, which is pictured here. This is the remains of a thirteenth century portcullis. Ludlow was a well defended town in the middle ages and the extensive city walls contained seven bridges, of which this is the sole survivor.
Looking through the gate you can see the clock on the old market at the top of the hill.
Looking up the street you can see a building with scaffolding around it. I had a friend (He was my best man when I got married) who lived in the top flat of that building. The floors were not level, and negotiating your way to the toilet after sitting drinking wine all evening was a challenge.
For the final picture we move away from the river and the south of town and are up on Gallows Bank. This is a good stretch out from the center of town - the castle and St Laurence's church, which are in heart of the town, are visible and a gentle 10-15 minute walk.
As the name suggests the area was the site of public executions from the early seventeenth century. With the gallows being up a hill they were easily visible from many parts of the town at the time.
The area is now an open area with benches and picnic tables. Only an explanatory message reminds people of the areas less pleasant history.
Pinmapple Link
text and pictures by stuartcturnbull
