Shropshire Tourism : The Official Tourism Website for Shropshire
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Ludlow Castle
Contact Details
- Castle Square
- Ludlow
- Shropshire
- SY8 1AY
- Tel: 01584 873355
- Email: info@ludlowcastle.com
- Website: www.ludlowcastle.com
Description
Construction of Ludlow Castle began in the late 11th Century as the border stronghold of one of the Marcher Lords, Roger De Lacy.
Early in the 14th Century it was enlarged into a magnificent palace for Roger Mortimer, then the most powerful man in England. Later, in the 15th Century under the ownership of Richard, Duke of York, the Castle was involved in the Wars of the Roses before becoming a royal palace. In 1472 Edward IV sent the Prince of Wales and his brother (later the 'Princes in the Tower' of Shakespeare fame), to live at the Castle, which was also the seat of Government for Wales and the border Counties.
In 1501 Price Arthur, (son of Henry VII and brother to Henry VIII) with his bride Catherine of Aragon, lived here for a short time before his early death. Queen Mary Tudor and her court spent three winters at Ludlow between 1525 and 1528. In 1689 the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were founded at the Castle by Lord Herbert of Chirbury but soon after it was abandoned and fell into decay. In 1811 the ruins were purchased from the crown by the 2nd Earl of Powis, in the ownership of whose family it remains.
The Castle's long history is reflected in its varied architecture; Norman, Medieval and Tudor, many of the buildings still stand. From the huge Outer Bailey a bridge across the moat leads to the Inner Bailey with the Keep, the Great Chamber, the other side of the moat is the Ice House - once used to store explosives. Milton's famous Comus was first performed in the Great Hall in 1634 and the tradition of a performance is continued each June and July when a play is performed in the open air within the Inner Bailey, as part of the Ludlow Festival. The Castle hosts other events through-out the year.
OPENING TIMES
INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please telephone the Castle before starting your journey to check that the venue is open – we assess the situation daily in these circumstances.
Telephone: 01584 874465 (weekdays) – 01584 873355 (weekends)
January: 10am to 4pm (weekends only)
February & March: 10am to 4pm (7 days a week)
April to July: 10am to 5pm (7 days a week)
CASTLE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Wed 30 June from 12 noon
Sat 3 July from 12 noon
Wed 7 July from 12 noon
Sun 11 & Mon 12 July – All day
OPEN
August: 10am to 7pm (7 days a week)
September: 10am to 5pm (7 days a week)
CASTLE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Mon 6, Tues 7, Wed 8, Thurs 9 & Mon 13 September – All day
OPEN
October & November: 10am to 4pm (7 days a week)
CASTLE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Wed 24, Thurs 25, Fri 26 & Mon 29, Tues 30 November - All day
OPEN
December: 10am to 4pm (weekends only)
The Castle is open DAILY from 10am to 4pm from December 26 to 1 January inclusive
CLOSED – Christmas Day
LAST ADMISSION – Half an hour before closing
INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please telephone the Castle before starting your journey to check that the venue is open – we assess the situation daily in these circumstances.
Telephone: 01584 874465 (weekdays) – 01584 873355 (weekends)
Facilities
Tools
Facilities ExplainedDirections
From the junction of the A5/A49 (S) Shrewsbury, take the A49 south to Ludlow. Follow signs for Ludlow Town centre. On Corve Street turn right down King Street and follow the road to the castle.
Prices
| Type | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £4.50 | - |
| Child | £2.50 | under 6 free |
| Family | £12.50 | - |
| Concession | £4.00 | - |
ToolsCurrency ConverterCalculator | ||
Opening Times
| Day | 1st February 2010 - 31st March 2010 | 1st April 2010 - 31st July 2010 | 1st August 2010 - 31st August 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Bank Holiday(s) | 10:00 - 16:00 | 10:00 - 17:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
Disclaimer
The details displayed on this page are correct at the time of publication however, Shropshire Tourism would like to advise all visitors to check prices & opening times with the venue prior to traveling in case of changes that might have occured since the publication of this page. Whilst Shropshire Tourism endeavours to ensure that the information on this site is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and Shropshire Tourism does not accept any liability for error or omission. The directions above are for planning purposes only and should be used alongside a general roadmap or satnav system. Variables such as road/construction works, traffic, weather conditions etc may cause alterations to the route.