Ludlow 59003 223660432 2008-07-05T03:37:02Z 72.185.166.96 spelling corrected. {{otheruses1|the town in Shropshire, England}} {{infobox UK place| |country = England |latitude= 52.3681 |longitude= -2.7176 |official_name= Ludlow |population = 10,500 |shire_district= [[South Shropshire]] | shire_county = [[Shropshire]] |region= West Midlands |constituency_westminster= [[Ludlow (UK Parliament constituency)|Ludlow]] |post_town= LUDLOW |postcode_district=SY8 |postcode_area=SY |dial_code= 01584 |os_grid_reference= SO517750 |london_distance= 155.6mi |static_image=[[Image:Ludlow bridge.jpg|240px]] |static_image_caption=<small>Dinham Bridge crossing the [[Teme]] near [[Ludlow Castle]].</small> }} '''Ludlow''' is a [[market town]] in [[Shropshire]], [[England]] close to the [[Wales|Welsh border]] and in the [[Welsh Marches]]. It lies within a bend of the [[River Teme]], on its eastern bank, forming an area of 350 acres (1.4 km²) and centred on a small hill. Atop this hill is the site of [[Ludlow Castle]] and the market place. From there the streets of the [[medieval]] town slope downward to the [[River Teme]], and northward toward the River Corve. The town is in a sheltered spot beneath the [[Clee Hills]] which are clearly visible from the town<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/shropshire/Ludlow_General.html|title=Ludlow|accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>. With a population of around 10,000, Ludlow is the largest town in the [[South Shropshire]] district and home of the district council headquarters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southshropshire.gov.uk/static/dynamic/News2ShowArticle.asp%3Farticle_id%3D1FF4D030-B251-4591-8A56-A360220753CB%26id%3D3814%26cme|title = South Shropshire District Council - Press release|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>. Ludlow has nearly 500 listed buildings<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ludlow.org.uk/arch.html|title=Ludlow's Buildings|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>. They include some fine examples of medieval and [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor]]-style [[half-timbered]] buildings including the Feathers Hotel. The parish church, [[St Laurence Church, Ludlow|St Laurence Church]], is the largest in the county<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2006/10/04/etludlow04.xml |title= Telegraph.co.uk: Getting a Taste for Ludlow|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>. == Toponomy == The name 'Lodelowe' ([[Welsh language|Welsh]]: ''[[:cy:Llwydlo|Llwydlo]]'') was in use for this site before 1138. At the time this section of the Teme river contained rapids, and so the ''hlud'' of Ludlow came from 'the loud waters', while ''hlaw'' meant hill.<ref>{{cite book | first=Adrian | last=Room | year=2003 | title=Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings | publisher=McFarland | isbn=0786418141 }}</ref> Thus Ludlow meant a ''place on a hill by a loud river''. Some time around the 12th century [[weir]]s were added along the river, taming these rapid flows. Later in the same century the larger outer [[bailey]] was added to the castle. == History == {{seealso| History of Shropshire}} {{Refimprovesect|date=March 2008}} === Medieval History=== {{seealso| Ludlow Castle}}<br /> The [[town]] is close to Wales and also very close to the county border between [[Shropshire]] and [[Herefordshire]]. It was included in the latter in the [[Domesday Book]]. This strategic location invested it with importance in [[medieval]] times and its large [[castle]] remains largely intact. [[Ludlow Castle]] was the seat of the [[Council of Wales and the Marches]] and a temporary home to several holders of the title [[Prince of Wales]], including [[Edward IV of England|King Edward IV]] and [[Arthur Tudor]], who died there in 1502. The site features heavily in the folk-story of ''[[Fulk FitzWarin]]'', outlawed Lord of [[Whittington, Shropshire]] and a possible inspiration for the ''[[Robin Hood]]'' legend. Fulk is brought up in the castle of ''[[Joce De Dynan]]'', and fights for his master against [[Walter de Lacy|Sir Walter de Lacy]] – these battles are also the source of the story of Marion de la Bruyere, the betrayed lover whose ghost is still said to be heard crying "Goodbye, Cruel World!" as she plummets from the castle's turrets.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} At the time of [[Domesday Book|the Domesday Book survey]] Ludlow was the location of the unoccupied large Stanton Manor, a possession of [[Walter de Lacy]]. Walter's son [[Roger de Lacy]] began the construction of a castle on the crest of the hill between about 1086 and 1094, forming what is now the inner bailey. Between about 1090 and 1120, the [[Chapel]] of [[St. Mary Magdalene]] was built inside the walls, and by 1130 the Great Tower was added to form the [[gatehouse]]. The castle was an important border fortification along the [[Welsh Marches|Marches of Wales]], and played a significant role in local, regional and national conflicts. [[Image:Feathers hotel.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Feathers Hotel, Ludlow]] [[Image:castle square ludlow.jpg|right|180px|thumb|A view of Ludlow market, which is situated in Castle Square, taken from the tower of St Laurence's Church.]] === Marcher Town === The town also provided a useful source of income for the [[Marcher Lords]], based on rents, fines, and tolls. They developed the town on a regular grid pattern, although this was adapted somewhat to match the local geography. The first road was probably High Street, which formed the wide market place to the east of the castle gates. The town continued to grow, joining an old north-south road, now called Corve Street to the north and Old Street to the south. Mill Street and wide Broad Street were added later. The town was licensed to build a wall in 1233. It was constructed about the central part of the community with four main gates and three [[postern]] gates. The castle complex continued to expand (a Great Hall, kitchen, and living quarters. were added) and it gained a reputation as a fortified [[palace]]. In 1306 it passed through marriage to the ambitious [[Earl of March]], [[Roger Mortimer, 1st Baron Wigmore]]. [[Isabella of France|Queen Isabella]] and her son, the young [[Edward III of England|Edward III]], were entertained at the castle in 1328. The town prospered, and sustained population of about 2,000 for several centuries. It was a market town; market day was held on every Thursday throughout the 15th century. In particular, it served as a centre for the sale of [[wool]] and cloth. It was home to various trades, and in 1372 boasted 12 Trade [[Guilds]] including metal workers, [[shoemaker]]s, [[butcher]]s, [[draper]]s, [[mercer]]s, [[tailor]]s, cooks, and [[baker]]s. There were also merchants of moderate wealth in the town and especially wool-merchants, such as Laurence of Ludlow, who lived at nearby [[Stokesay Castle]]. The collection and sale of wool and the manufacture of cloth continued to be the primary source of wealth until the 17th century. [[Drovers roads]] from Wales led to the town. This prosperity is expressed in stone and stained-glass as St. Laurence's [[parish church]]. It is a [[wool church]] and the largest in [[Shropshire]]. Despite the presence of some [[Decorated Period|Decorated]] work it is largely [[Perpendicular Period|Perpendicular]] in style<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.stlaurences.org.uk/ |title= St. Laurence's Church |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. The town also contained several [[coaching inn]]s such as the old Angel, [[pub]]s and [[ale]] houses, leading to court records of some alcohol-induced violence and a certain reputation for excess. Several coaching inns were constructed to accommodate travellers by [[stagecoach]] and [[mail coach]]. The oldest surviving inn today is the 15th century Bull Hotel. During the [[War of the Roses]], [[Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York|Richard, Duke of York]], seized the castle and turned it into one of his main strongholds. The Lancastrian forces captured Ludlow in 1459, but at the end of the conflict in 1461 the castle became property of the Crown and passed to Richard's son, [[Edward IV of England|Edward IV]]. The town was then incorporated as a borough. Edward set up the [[Council of Wales and the Marches]] in 1473 and sent his son, [[Edward V of England|Edward, Prince of Wales]], to live there, as nominal head of the Council. It was at Ludlow that the prince heard the news of his father's death and was himself proclaimed King Edward V of England. Under [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]] the castle continued as the headquarters of the Council of Wales and served as the administration centre for [[Wales]] and the counties along the border, the [[Welsh Marches]]. During this period, when the town served as the effective capital of [[Wales]], it was home to many messengers of the king, various clerks, and [[lawyer]]s for settling legal disputes. The town also provided a winter home for local [[gentry]], during which time they attended the Council court sessions. Henry also sent his sickly heir [[Prince Arthur]] to Ludlow, where he was joined briefly by Henry's wife [[Catherine of Aragon]]. Ludlow Castle was the site of the controversial wedding night, when the question of [[consummate|marriage consummation]] became the crux of Catherine and [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII's]] [[annulment]]. After 1610, the cloth industry declined but the wealth of the town was little affected until about 1640, when the activities of the Council were suspended and the town's population promptly fell by 20%. Eventually, the Council resumed and except for brief interludes, Ludlow continued to host the Council until 1689, when it was abolished by [[William and Mary]]. The castle then fell into decay. The structure was poorly maintained and stone was pillaged. In 1772 demolition was mooted, but it was instead decided to lease the buildings. Later still it was purchased by the [[Earl of Powis]], and together, he and his wife directed the transformation of the castle grounds. === Later History === From 1760, the population began to undergo a significant expansion. New structures were built along the outskirts that would become slums in the 19th century and later, torn down. In 1832 a [[doctor]], and [[amateur]] [[geologist]], from Ludlow{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}} began studying the rock deposits to the south-west of the town, along the [[River Teme]] and on Whitcliffe and in [[Ludford]]. The bottom layer of the rocks forming the four divisions of the [[Silurian]] period became identified as the [[Ludlow Group]] [[Bone Bed]] to the world of [[geology]]. This was a thin layer of dark sand containing numerous remains of early [[fish]], especially their scales, along with plant debris, [[spores]] and [[microscopic]] [[mites]] laid down as sediments in a shallow [[tropical]] [[sea]] some 400 Million years ago. Whitcliffian is a term used worldwide for rocks of this age in modern [[geology]] to this day. The site is now an [[SSSI]] (Site of Special Scientific Interest). [[Image:ludlow shopper.jpg|right|thumb|220px|A shopper buys some figs from one of the many traditional shops amidst Ludlow's narrow streets.]] By the 20th century, the town had seen a growth in tourism, leading to the appearance of many antique dealers, as well as art dealers and independent bookshops. Many of the traditional shops were acquired by retail chains, and a long battle of words between local activists and local companies and [[Tesco]] was eventually won by the mega retailer when it obtained planning permission to build a supermarket on Corve Street, but Bodenham's, a clothing retailer, survives and is one of the oldest shops in the country - it celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acs.org.uk/en/Press_Office/details/index.cfm/type/archive/obj_id/F0091D68-0F17-453E-BF471BBBB5066E72|title=Association of Convenience Stores|accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. In 2004 the council was granted funding from Advantage West Midlands to build a new Eco-Park on the outskirts of the town on the other side of the A49, with space for new 'environmentally friendly' office buildings and a [[park & ride]] facility. More construction work began in 2006 on the same section of by-pass by Bennett's Development company on a much-debated piece of land on the town's fringe known as The Foldgate. The land has now been drawn up for commercial use with a petrol filling station, hotel and pub / restaurant, recently opened. The previous plans to include a number of 'high-street' stores was thrown out when an [[Planning Inspectorate|independent official]] branded it 'damaging' and 'out-of-place' with the character of the old town. Ludlow was described by ''[[Country Life (magazine)|Country Life]]'' as:<br /> {{cquote| . . . . the most vibrant small town in England}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shropshiretourism.info/ludlow/|title=Ludlow Tourist Information|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>. == Transport and communications == In 1979 a single carraige way [[bypass]] road was built to the east of the town, diverting the [[A49 road|A49]]. This allowed heavy lorry traffic to avoid the town centre, significantly reducing noise levels and delays. The town centre was built for the era of the horse & cart and there are long running problems with motor traffic and car parking. A number of proposals have been offered to remedy these problems. [[Ludlow railway station]] is located about five minutes walk from the town centre. The new Ludlow Eco-Park situated on the outskirts of the town, along the A49, includes a new [[Park & Ride]] facility, with a frequent bus service to and from the town centre. On 26 June 2007, rising flood water caused [[Burway Bridge]] in Ludlow to collapse severing a gas main and causing 20 homes in nearby Corve Street to be evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/6240030.stm|title=Bridge collapse severs gas main}}</ref>. The bridge is now replaced with a [[bailey bridge]]. ==Population== The [[census]] of 2001 recorded 9,548 people living in Ludlow [[parish]]. A further 395 live in the neighbouring [[Ludford, Shropshire|Ludford]] parish. *1377 &mdash; 1,172 *1801 &mdash; 3,897 *1901 &mdash; 4,552 *1971 &mdash; 7,470 *1987 &mdash; 7,450 *2005 &mdash; 10,500 Figures are also available for the broader area of South Shropshire and paint a figure of rural stagnation and slow growth since 1831. <center> {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:75%;width:70%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;" |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Year ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1801 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1811 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1821 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1831 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1841 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1851 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1861 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1871 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1881 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1891 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1901 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1911 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1921 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1931 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1941 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1951 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1961 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1971 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1981 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1991 ! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 2001 |- ! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Population | 28,871 | 31,731 | 34,248 | 36,961 | 37,533 | 37,334 | 38,520 | 39,705 | 40,890 | 38,131 | 37,555 | 36,989 | 35,713 | 34,481 | 34,241 | 34,003 | 33,184 | 32,284 | 33,426 | 38,586 | 40,389 |- | colspan="22" style="text-align:center;font-size:140%;"|<small>Population figures for [[South Shropshire]]. '''Source: '''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10091755&c_id=10001043&add=N|title= Vision of Britain |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref></small> |} </center> ==Notable people== Notable people associated with the town include [[Charles Badham]], a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] scholar and professor at [[Sydney University]]. [[Sir Charles Hastings]], a pioneering Victorian doctor and founder of the [[British Medical Association|BMA]], was born in Ludlow, and grew up in [[Worcestershire]]. [[Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow|Baron Rees of Ludlow]], the current [[Astronomer Royal]] is associated with the town, and [[Anthony Howard (journalist)|Anthony Howard]], a senior British political journalist and commentator keeps a home in there. Born near the town in 1836 was [[John Marston (Industrialist)|John Marston]], the founder of the [[Sunbeam (motorcycle)|Sunbeam]] racing car and motorcycle company. Also born in proximity to Ludlow was [[Henry Hill Hickman]], a very early pioneer of anaesthetics, who was born at Lady Halton, near [[Bromfield, Shropshire|Bromfield]] in 1800. Later in the same century, in 1831, [[Pictorialism|Pictorialist]] photographer [[Henry Peach Robinson]] was born in the town. Sir [[John Bridgeman]], a Chief Justice of The Marches in the 17th century is buried in [[St. Laurence]]'s church, within a tomb monument attributed to [[Francesco Fanelli]]. ==Culture== === Festivals and fayres === The Ludlow Festival has been held annually since 1960, during the end of June and the start of July each year. An open area within the castle serves as the stage and backdrop for various [[Shakespeare]]an plays, while a number of supporting events at various venues include classical and pop/rock concerts, varied musicians, lecture talks from public figures, and entertainers. The annual Ludlow Marches Festival of Food & Drink is a [[food festival]] that takes place in and around Ludlow in September. Centred on [[Ludlow Castle]], where over 150 local, small food producers showcase and sell their wares, the three-day event involves the town centre in food and drink trails including the famous 'Sausage Trail'<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.foodfestival.co.uk/ |title= Ludlow Food Festival |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. The Medieval Christmas Fayre is another annual event in Ludlow taking place during late November, again centred on [[Ludlow Castle]] and the [[market]] square. This event is held over a whole weekend, with activities, food, and craft stalls being held in the castle. During Saturday evening, the castle is lit up with candles and torches and given a [[medieval]] feel, with costumed stall holders, historical re-enactors in armour, etc., and 'have-a-go' [[archery]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ludlowcraftevents.co.uk |title= Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. === Gastronomy === Ludlow has become a [[gastronomic]] centre and at one point was the only town in England with three [[Michelin Guide|Michelin-starred ]] restaurants<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.touruk.co.uk/shropshire/ludlow.htm|title=Ludlow Shropshire tourist and visitor information|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> (a distinction lost to [[Bray, Berkshire|Bray-on-Thames]] in [[Berkshire]]) and hosts an annual [[food festival]]. Ludlow is the first UK member of [[Cittaslow]] or "[[slow food]]" movement<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cittaslow.org.uk |title= UK Cittaslow Website |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://womans-world.co.uk/going-slow-in-ludlow.html|title=Woman's World - Going slow in Ludlow|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>, and is at the forefront of the UK's [[Cittaslow]] network. It supports three traditional butchers and a regular [[farmers market]]. === Arts === The town is also home to an arts and [[movie theatre|cinema]] centre - The Ludlow Assembly Rooms - that hosts live [[music]], [[theatre]], and talks. It also acts as an arts community centre, has a [[visual arts]] gallery, and on most evenings, shows a [[film]], from a wide variety of [[genre]]s (including [[films considered the greatest ever|classic]], [[arthouse]], and [[blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/ |title= Ludlow Assembly Rooms |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. Ludlow has featured in movies and TV programmes including [[Tom Sharpe]]'s ''[[Blott on the Landscape]]'' and 90's TV adaptations of ''[[The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling]]'' and ''[[Moll Flanders]]'', as well as being featured in the 1950 movie version of [[Mary Webb]]'s ''[[Gone To Earth]]''. Ludlow has connections with a number of figures in the arts - most notably, [[Alfred Edward Housman]], [[poet]] and author of "[[A Shropshire Lad]]" (his ashes buried in the graveyard of St. Laurence's Church and marked by a cherry tree). [[Stanley J. Weyman]], the novelist known as the "Prince of Romance", was also born in Ludlow. <br />The actors [[Pete Postlethwaite]] and [[John Challis]] ([[Boycie]] in ''Only Fools & Horses'') both live near Ludlow. The actress [[Holly Davidson]] (from [[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]] and [[The Bill]]) was born locally in 1980. [[Hollie Robertson]], winner of the [[BBC]]'s [[Strictly Dance Fever]] in 2006 is also a Ludlow-girl. === Sport === The town also has a [[association football|football]] and [[rugby union]] team competing in the Midland leagues and a [[cricket]] team sporting 3 teams in the Shropshire Premier league . The cricket pitch has a picturesque setting with the castle, church and surrounding hills and countryside clearly visible. [[Ludlow Racecourse]] is situated just off the [[A49 road]] a mile north of the town<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ludlow-racecourse.co.uk/ |title= Ludlow Racecourse |accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref>. ==Closest cities, towns and villages== {{geocompass |hub = Ludlow |type= ex |NN = '''[[Shrewsbury]]''', [[Church Stretton]] |NE = '''[[Telford]]''', [[Bridgnorth]], [[Highley]], '''[[West Midlands conurbation]]''' |EE = [[Cleehill]], [[Cleobury Mortimer]], [[Bewdley]], [[Kidderminster]] |SE = [[Tenbury Wells]], [[Bromyard]], '''[[Worcester]]''' |SS = [[Leominster]], '''[[Hereford]]''' |SW = [[New Radnor]], [[Presteigne]] |WW = [[Knighton, Powys|Knighton]] |NW = [[Craven Arms]], [[Brampton Bryan]], [[Bishops Castle]], [[Clun]] }} ==External links== *[http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2675324 Geograph] - photos of Ludlow and surrounding areas ==References== <references/> {{Shropshire}} [[Category:Towns in Shropshire]] [[Category:Towns of the Welsh Marches]] [[Category:Cittaslow]] [[Category:Market towns in England]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in Shropshire]] [[cy:Llwydlo]] [[de:Ludlow]] [[lt:Ladlou]] [[nl:Ludlow (Shropshire)]] [[ro:Ludlow]] [[simple:Ludlow]] [[fi:Ludlow (Englanti)]] [[sv:Ludlow, Storbritannien]] [[vo:Ludlow (Shropshire)]]