Ludlow, with its picturesque medieval walls and charming architecture, is scenically located between the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Welsh Marshes. Norman-built Ludlow Castle is at its heart, and outward from that radiates Georgian houses and medieval streets, running towards the River Teme. It’s more than once been described as pretty, and John Betjeman famously called it "the loveliest town in England”. Our pick of the best places to stay in Ludlow aren't just properties in the centre of town, we've also tracked down a couple of special B&Bs and country houses is the surrounding countryside.

Ludlow is an ideal town for independent boutique shops, antique dealers, galleries, and restaurants and cafes all shapes and sizes. Its Castle Square hosts markets more days than it doesn’t, including farmer’s markets and antiques fairs, the Ludlow Food Festival in September, and the Medieval Christmas Fayre – with its folk tales, falconry and duels between armoured knights! There's also a lovely race course with a full calendar of horse racing throughout the year.

But what most people come for these days is the food. The town is renowned as a bit of a foodie hot spot, not just because of its festival in September — there are several great eateries here too, a couple of which you'll find in two of the best places to stay in Ludlow.

The Best Places to Stay in Ludlow

For Foodies

• Old Downton Lodge is an award-winning restaurant with rooms created in a refurbished farmhouse, where the new additions and updates have been expertly blended with the original building with all its quirks and charm. There are nine rooms and suites — the largest have high ceilings and four-poster beds — and all of them have new bathrooms. The restaurant has been awarded 3AA Rosettes and offers both a la carte and tasting menus.

For Romantics

• Dinham Hall Hotel is an imposing townhouse hotel in the centre of town, with 13 rooms and suites: all traditionally, and uniquely, decorated, with antiques to match the high ceilings, sash widows and other original details. The restaurant is very good — competition in Ludlow is high — and you’re close to a farmer’s market, a golf course, and plenty of sightseeing and antique shopping opportunities. Bring your dog too.

For Families

• The Clive Arms is a pretty country inn on the Oakly Park Estate. The pub is bright, cheerful, and more chi-chi than you’re probably expecting, and serves modern British cuisine. The 17 rooms and suites are going for rural charm, with just the right amount of wooly tartan and chintz, a very comfortable family room (which can easily accommodate two adults and two children), and free-standing baths if you fancy one.

Best B&Bs

• The Graig is a charming stone farmhouse turned five room B&B, in a great location in the Shropshire Hills, just outside Ludlow. The individually imagined rooms all have a country feel, a cosy, pastel palette, and spacious en suites. Breakfast is a hearty affair, and the owners will pack you a lunch too, if you’re heading out walking.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• If you need to fly into the UK, and Ludlow is your destination you have a choice of airports: East Midlands Airport is about an hour and 45 minutes away by car or taxi; Manchester Airport is just under two hours away by car to taxi, or two hour and 20 minutes by rail; and Bristol Airport is about two hours away by car or taxi, or four hours by public transport. If you’re travelling via London there are trains leaving from Paddington and travelling via Newport (Wales), or trains from Euston via Birmingham, and you’re looking at a three to four hour journey time.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Ludlow is busiest during horse race meetings, which run between October and May. Summer is a popular time too, with visitors coming in especially for the Shakespeare Festival and the Food Festival. This is a busy time of year for agricultural fairs too, and during the school holidays the National Trust usually put-on special events at their properties — there are a couple of good ones locally. If you’re worried about avoiding wet weather, it’s probably better to just accept that there are rainy days in Ludlow whatever the season — but not too many! Bring your wet weather gear and enjoy!

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Shropshire
• Expand your search just beyond Ludlow, to neighbours like Shrewsbury
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.