Capital of the Marches

This is one of Britain's finest small towns, perched on a low rise above the River Teme and still surrounded by sections of its medieval wall.  It boasts a large, ruined castle, an impressive collection of half-timbered buildings and the largest parish church in Shropshire. From the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries, the Council of Wales and the Marches met at Ludlow Castle, effectively making it the capital of Wales (despite it being firmly in England).

The land to the west of the town is completely undeveloped.  From the castle, you can wind down the hill, cross an old bridge and walk straight into the woods.  The view across the town from the top of these woods is worth seeing. 

Ludlow has a good reputation for food, and has a slightly arty and bohemian feel.  Its slow pace of life and its close ties to the surrounding landscape provide the backdrop for much of the action in Runestone Hall.  The opening scene takes place in the heart of the town, where the old market square splits into a number of lanes.  The Stewardsons' home is fictitious, but is imagined to lie on a quiet lane just outside the old town.

Scroll through the pictures below to learn more about the stronghold of the Marches.