The Journal’s circulation area is that covered by South Shropshire District Council - and its five main towns are Ludlow, Church Stretton, Bishop’s Castle, Clun and Craven Arms.
Thousands of visitors flock to Ludlow every year to witness at first hand the town’s amazing history. Among the attractions is the 900-year-old Ludlow Castle, Ludlow Museum, the medieval Castle Lodge, the 800-year-old parish church, the widely acclaimed Ludlow Festival and out of town attractions such as Mortimer Forest and Whitcliffe Common.
Ludlow Castle was built by the Normans in the late 11th century, one of a line of castles along the Marches to keep out the Welsh. Early in the 14th century it was enlarged into a magnificent palace by Roger Mortimer, then the most powerful man in England.
In 1689 the Royal Welch Fusiliers were founded at the castle and soon after it was abandoned and fell into decay. In 1811 the castle ruins were purchased from the crown by the 2nd Earl of Powis, in the ownership of whose family it remains.
A new system has now been put in place to floodlight the spectacular castle remains. Milton’s Comus was first performed in the Great Hall in 1634. Each year the tradition of a performance is continued with a play in the open air in the inner bailey as part of the Ludlow Festival.
Ludlow Museum on Castle Street has exhibitions telling the story of Ludlow from the building of the castle and the establishment of the town, through medieval prosperity and political intrigue to the fashionable Ludlow of the 18th century.
The parish church of St Laurence’s is one of the largest in the country. The church, a member of the Greater Churches Group, was mostly rebuilt in the mid-15th century but earlier features survive.
Castle Lodge, Castle Square, was once a prison and later the home of officials of the Council of the Marches. Ludlow Festival, one of the major arts festivals, is held annually for a fortnight in June/July.
The centrepiece of the festival is a Shakespeare play which is performed inside the castle. Mortimer Forest, just outside Ludlow, has waymarked trails and hides for watching deer and other wildlife.
Whitcliffe Common provides panoramic views of Ludlow. In the Middle Ages it was used by burgesses for grazing their livestock. These are just a few of the attractions the town has to offer.
Other features include the spectacular Feathers Hotel. Ludlow has also a fine range of shops to keep visitors amused and Ludlow Market is held regularly in Castle Square.
The Long Mynd
Church Stretton is a small town with a big backyard. It is situated right in the middle of the south Shropshire hills which extend for miles on all sides. The Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley, Helmeth Hill and the Ragleth are magnets for serious walkers, strollers and day trippers, as well as wildlife enthusiasts.
Even gliding fanatics have their own flying club. It is not surprising it has earned the epithet of “Shropshire’s Little Switzerland”. And you don’t have to bring your walking boots to enjoy the natural beauty and stunning scenery.
Cardingmill Valley, with its babbling brook, is filled every summer weekend with visitors, both young and old, who don’t even have to leave their vehicles to enjoy the charm of the countryside. Aside from this popular spot are many side valleys offering seclusion and tranquility.
The historic, market town atmosphere of Church Stretton has been immortalised by the writings of Mary Webb and A.E. Housman. In the town are excellent shopping, eating and parking facilities. There is a Norman Church and access the Long Mynd, gliding and golf clubs, recreational and riding facilities, together with a main line railway station.
The town is an excellent base in all seasons for the walker, naturalist, sportsman or country lover. The town centre of Church Stretton itself has many delights to offer, having been celebrated in Victorian times as a minor spa.
It was however regionally important as the large size of St Laurence’s Church indicates. The area’s older streets are lined with stone, brick and timber buildings of a quiet elegance and charm.
Set in undulating hills and surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, Bishop’s Castle is in the centre of south Shropshire and ideally located for explorations into the district. The small, ancient town is off the beaten track and provides a more “intimate” view of the area away from popular hotspots such as Ludlow and Church Stretton.
Country paths and lanes give scenic views of the area whether cycling or walking. Travel along Drovers’ Road, once a vital trade link between Cornwall and Cumbria, or along the Marches, the old, wild border country between England and Wales.
The Stiperstones, a reserve, lies to the north-east of the town. It is a haven for many species of threatened animals, birds and plant life and provides stunning panoramic views across Shropshire and into Wales.
Offa’s Dyke, a great defensive ditch which once separated attacking Welsh forces from English armies, offers equally impressive views. Bishop’s Castle itself also has much to offer, with a rich and fascinating history. The steep line of the High Street, which leads from the castle site at the top, to the church at the bottom, marks the line of roadway established by the Norman conquerors.
But little remains of the twelfth-century castle, built by the Bishop of Hereford. The town is also served by the Railway and Transport Museum and House on Crutches Museum which are open at weekends and bank holidays from Easter to October.
Visitors and residents are also served by a range of fine producers from local breweries at The Six Bells, to bakeries, butchers and farmers’ markets. Fine restaurants such as The Poppy House ensure that touch of class should you wish to eat out.
The May fair, midsummer rejoicing, tandem triathlon, town carnival, real-ale festival, agricultural show, Michaelmas Festival and craft show are all highlights on the social calendar.
Five miles to the south of Bishop’s Castle, Clun sits among green hills close to the point at which the delightful River Clun merges with its tributary, the oddly named Unk.
There has been human habitation hereabouts for thousands of years - certainly as far back as the stone age, and Clun itself may have been the site of settlement since the bronze age. The town itself - and it is a town, despite appearances to the contrary, having been granted a charter nearly 700 years ago - is divided into two distinct parts.
The “new town” was set out on a grid system by the Normans, and the street pattern survives to this day. Clun Castle, dating from the very end of the eleventh century, was held in the sixteenth century by Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
It became redundant as peace descended on the Marches. It is now managed by English Heritage. Across Clun Bridge, the other half of Clun is based around St George’s church - originally built by the Normans, although much reworking was undertaken by the Victorians. Among many buildings of interest are the town hall (built by Robert Clive, 1780); Clun Mill (now a youth hostel) and the Trinity Hospital almshouses.
Stokesay Castle
An excellent reason for stopping at Craven Arms is the beautiful and historic Stokesay Castle right on its doorstep. Stokesay Castle is a must. A wonderfully evocative fortified manor house set in a peaceful valley.
In the spring, surrounded by a sea of golden daffodils - a sheer delight. Often quoted as being the most photographed building in England, when you visit it you can see why!
There is now a new reason for stopping in Craven Arms. The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre is innovative in both design and content. An elegant curving structure with a roof covered in grass. It tells the story of the creation of the Shropshire landscape from the earliest of geological eras to the impact of modern farming and forestry.
It will feature a virtual balloon ride over the Shropshire landscape. Only a few miles from Craven Arms is the wonderful Corvedale - full of glorious views of rolling English countryside, great traditional pubs, manor houses and hidden villages.
