Saturday 23 April 2016

Slow Travel Guide Update Ludlow

 
The comments I penned about Ludlow some 5 years ago now still hold true.

The walkabout from the railway station illustrates that this town is one of the loveliest in the land. It is doing its very best to resist the endless onslaught of international chains moving in, supermarkets and the like, but it is a hard slog fighting unwanted development. I still cast my vote for the independent shops and the vibrant market that make a visit so enjoyable and differentiates Ludlow from many a Midlands High Street.

There have been some changes since the Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches was published and most of these have been to the good. Whilst more cafes have opened up in town, some say too many, my vote still goes to the long standing Olive Branch offering tasty wholesome food every day throughout the year and the Green Café...a much loved riverside venue which is open Tuesdays to Sundays, but closes in the depths of winter. Nearby Mr Underhills has closed so upmarket foodies will mourn the loss.



In Harp Lane, fronting onto the Market Square, is the excellent Harp Lane deli (taking the place of the previous Deli) run by a team that is passionate about good food and offers superb coffee, freshly made homemade soups and other goodies which make it difficult to pass by. Open daily except Sundays.

There has been a seismic change in the pub scene too. At 14 Corve Street you'll find the exceptional Dog Hangs Well parlour pub (open Thursdays-Saturdays 5-9pm only)...look out for the lamp, the hostelry is open when the lamp is lit. At the top of Old Street, by the Olive Branch, is Artisan Ales selling bottled beers and ciders many of which are local to Ludlow plus it has a cosy tap room upstairs where conversation is the order of the day. Both are friendly places with owners passionate going about their business with a smile. Regular jazz is off the menu at the Feathers and is perhaps only occasionally at the Charlton Arms, but there's often music events at the Brewery and sometimes at Unicorn.



 



On the cultural front, the arts festival has morphed into a fringe festival and has been very well received by residents and visitors alike. The museum is soon to be relocated in the Butter Cross and the Assembly Rooms will be remodelled to include a new entrance and café. It currently houses the visitor information centre staffed by volunteers (another function along with toilets, buses and cultural venues being unceremoniously abandoned by Shropshire Council so we are very grateful to Ludlow town council and other organisations for picking up the reins).

Bus load of 490 supporters coming to a meeting in Ludlow


Still easy to access by trains but fewer buses, although the 492 to Hereford is now renumbered the 490 and is less frequent. However, there's a supporter group working to rebuild the service so if you are staying nearby try a ride out to Leominster or the villages en route when you are here. Time work well for a visit to the pubs in the village of Orleton.  The bus to Kidderminster is now operated by Diamond Bus and renumbered the 2L; after a stormy start (some  buses failed to climb over Clee Hill) the service now seems to have been bedded in.



 

 

Monday 11 April 2016

SNAPDRAGON AT FOLK DOWN THE TRACK

 
 
 
 
 
 
THE NEXT
FOLK DOWN THE TRACK
THURSDAY 21st APRIL
AT
THE CASTLE INN KNUCKLAS
(Good food & beer!)
There will be singing and playing in the bar by the fire - for all to join in!
And
SNAPDRAGON
Will be performing in the function room. An  excellent trio playing a mixture of traditional English, French & Welsh folk music on Hurdy Gurdy, Violin, Melodeon & recorder. We are delighted to have them at Folk Down the t
Track so we hope you will get on the train and join us! Shrewsbury at 1825 and stations down the track. Return from Knucklas at 2150.