Explore Herefordshire and Shropshire
Old Downton Lodge is located just minutes away from Ludlow, described by John Betjeman as “The most perfect town in England”.
Ludlow’s medieval street pattern survives almost intact, along with many ancient properties including the magnificent ruined Norman castle, St Laurence’s Parish Church (one of the largest in England), the Reader’s House, the Buttercross and the Broadgate.
The town’s streets are lined with over 900 listed medieval and Georgian buildings – not to mention its fascinating shops selling antiques, locally produced foods and a myriad of other specialist goods.
The Historic Marches
Ludlow’s dramatic Norman castle is a lasting testament to more turbulent times, when the spectacular landscape of Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches (a word derived from the Anglo Saxon Mearc meaning boundary) was witness to bloody disputes and battles.
Now Ludlow provides an ideal base to explore the dramatic history of Shropshire, Herefordshire and mid Wales.
There are National Trust properties including Powis Castle, Croft Castle, Berrington Hall and Attingham Park more than a dozen English Heritage sites such as the castles at Wigmore, Clun and Stokesay, then there are beautiful cities, towns and villages like Hereford (with the Cathedral and Mappa Mundi), Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, and Much Wenlock. Also Ironbridge with its UNSECO World Heritage Site and Museums.
Walking in Herefordshire and Shropshire
Old Downton Lodge is in the heart of some of the very finest walking country: the Welsh Marches which mark the border between England and Wales are an area of unforgettable and varied natural beauty, full of hills, valleys, castles and characterful villages.
On its doorstep you will find Offas Dyke, Bishops Castle, Caer Caradoc, the ancient Stiperstones, Wenlock Edge and the beautiful Long Mynd and Carding Mill Valley.
Activities
Old Downton Lodge provides a perfect base to explore Herefordshire, Shropshire and the Welsh Borders. Visit Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO world heritage site, with ten award-winning museums spread along the valley beside the River Severn – still spanned by the world’s first Iron Bridge, or re-live the age of steam at The Severn Valley Railway. You can see more recent history at The Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford or for the sportsman we can organise numerous outdoor activities. You can arrange a game of golf on one of the many local golf courses or more traditional country pursuits such as game shooting, clay pigeon shooting or horse riding. Call us for details
The Herefordshire Cider Route, The cider orchards in Herefordshire are said to produce over half of the cider consumed in the UK. The Herefordshire Cider Route is a circular driving route around the county of Herefordshire visiting cider producers and specialist retailers. An excellent starting point for the Cider Route is the Cider Museum in Hereford, where you will discover the history and development of cider production.
Discover the Black and White Village Trail of Herefordshire, The trail, as the name suggests, is characterised by the large number of timbered and half-timbered houses in the area some dating from medieval times, others from more recent periods. The Black & White Village Trail is a motor/cycle route through some of the prettiest villages and most beautiful landscape in England. The villages are more than just pretty places to visit. Each one has its own character and community, with tea-rooms, shops, craft workshops and pubs waiting to welcome the visitor.
Ludlow and its surroundings offer many opportunities for fishing in beautiful unspoilt countryside. Whether you are an old hand or a novice, we can put you in touch with Peter Giles, Advanced Instructor, AAPGAI to ensure you get the most out of your experience.
Walks
We have several circular walks ranging from 3 miles to 11 miles from Old Downton Lodge please ask for our walking maps.
Old Downton Lodge lends itself to gentle strolls: Choose to walk along Ludlow’s historic streets and appreciate the town’s architecture, or go down to the rivers (you have a choice of two – the Teme and The Corve) to follow their meanders and see the Town from a totally different perspective.
If you fancy a stroll for an hour or more, at a gentle pace, then visit Whitcliffe Common, a mixture of grassland and deciduous woodland, just outside Ludlow above the River Teme – from where you get wonderful views of the old town centre in all its glory. Or go to Mortimer Forest (up above Whitcliffe Common) and you will find a large number of waymarked trails through coniferous woodland.