It could have been summer today – warm enough to sit outside without a coat. Well for heavens’ sake, just look at that sky. And what better place for a meander on a dreamy autumn day than Ludlow. It is one of Shropshire’s loveliest towns, and has more antiquity than you can shake a stick at.
The castle, whose ruins dominate the skyline, was begun over a thousand years ago during the Norman Conquest of Britain. It was built to secure the border with Wales, and was one of the first stone castles in the country. Over ensuing centuries it figured in all manner of political machinations including the York v Lancaster Wars of the Roses. When the Lancastrian side won, the victor, Henry Tudor, shortly to become Henry VII claimed Ludlow Castle. He later gave it to his eldest son, Prince Arthur. In 1501 Arthur and his bride, a fifteen-year-old Katherine of Aragon, came here for their honeymoon. A year later Arthur was dead. Katherine was then betrothed to Prince Henry, Arthur’s brother, but it wasn’t until 1509 that they were married. By then Henry was king. Their marriage endured for 24 years before things went horribly wrong. And we all know what happened next – Anne Boleyn and some serial beheadings.
So enough history. Here are some more views – my treat to you:
Tish Farrell 
Tish, it was a treat to journey through Ludlow with you. That third photo is my particular favorite.
janet
P.S. My fingers have done this before, so just FYI….”for heavens’ aske.” “Sake.” 🙂
janet
Well spotted. I was in too much of a hurry for a glass of prosecco.
Glad you could join me, Janet 🙂
Happy Birthday! 🙂
Thank you, Ark.
So strange to see ‘my’ Ludlow through someone else’s eyes 🙂
And you just managed to get one of my windows in your second photo from the common. It was a gorgeous day that’s for sure.
That’s funny Jude I was wondering if your house was in there somewhere. Tish, between you and Jude, Shropshire has become very appealing!
We do a good sales job, don’t we. Which is just as well since I think Shropshire Council has done away with its tourism department as part of the cuts.
It is a very underrated county I think. Serious walkers know about it, but most people just pass through on the way to Wales. A shame as it is a beautiful county, but maybe the appeal is the solitude you find here. No motorways and no big cities.
I suppose all the bypassing that has been done over the years on the A49 and A5 in particular, just encourage people to keep going. There’s little to entice the unitiated into Church Stretton for instance.
Ha! I caught your window. How wonderful. I was thinking about you, Jude.
I wasn’t ambling yesterday otherwise I might have bumped into you, and today you’d be hard pressed to see the town (fog)!
Yep. Just been over to Church Stretton for lunch, and apart from a quick and lovely glimpse of the Long Mynd, all was murky.
Beautiful town with interesting history. A real treat!! Happy you have nice autumn weather!
The weather was so amazing, we could scarcely believe it. A blessed day indeed.
A treat indeed; beautiful images.
🙂
Beautiful pictures. A place with history, perfect weather and a talented photographer……..indeed a treat ! 🙂
Thanks, Andy
And a big treat , really!
Love your photos!
Thank you for your enthusiastic response 🙂
Thanks for the treat of beautiful photos of Ludlow
Hi, Tony. You are most welcome. I expect you know the towm pretty well yourself.
Ah I was there just last weekend visiting a friend. One of my favourite towns too. Your photos do it justice Tish 🙂
It is a great place to visit, isn’t it -even on a horrid day. Lunch at the Green Cafe makes it even better. Their Chocolate pudding thingy is to die for.
Your photography gets better and better, Tish
Thank you, Ian. That is very encouraging, to say the least.
What a picturesque town, Tish. I thoroughly enjoyed my wander through it. Your second and third photos are my favourites. Thanks for the history lesson, and once again, “Happy Birthday.” ❤
Thank you, Sylvia. On all fronts. 🙂
The first is my favourite 🙂 And you didn’t meet Jude? How wrong is that! 😦
Oh, I expect we’ll collide somewhere in Shropshire one of these days 🙂
Truly a wonderful treat! Beautiful photos, Tish! 🙂
Many thanks, Amy 🙂
It looks like a very nice place to visit! 🙂 Lovely photos, Tish.
Thank you, Dina. Definitely think the Fab 4 would like Ludlow for a visit.