Shropshire
IN AND AROUND LUDLOW WITH A WHEELCHAIR
Ludlow Town
These pages are currently being researched and updated in the meantime we strongly advise you to check with the accommodation and attraction providers included for more current information.
Ludlow is situated at the southern end of Shropshire near the Herefordshire border. The town is built on a hill that rises above the river Teme. It is packed with interesting historic buildings and is a thriving market town with many individual shops. There is a market held in the main square every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year. The museum which tells more of the towns history is housed at the rear of the Tourist Information Centre, which is also in the main square. There is level access to the museum and a disabled toilet. There are disabled parking spaces at various points throughout the town and in the three car parks. The town has a variety of cafes, restaurants and public houses, a lot of which have outside eating areas that are accessible.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for a wider accommodation search for other areas of Shropshire and the UK click here.
Ludlow Castle
Just off of the main square is the 11th century Castle of Ludlow . The entrance is across a cobbled surface but once inside it is mainly down to grass. The information boards explaining the history of the castle are at a good height for wheelchair users. You can access all the main areas but obviously not the towers. There is a shop and disabled toilet on site.
A tomb in the Chancel at St Laurence's
The parish church of St. Laurence is situated off of Church Street which is adjacent to the market square. The church was built in 1199 and had many alterations and additions over the next 300 years. It is a magnificent building and is well worth a visit. It is possible to access most of the church via ramps but you cannot get into the chancel, however you can get close enough to see into it.
The all ability trail in Mortimer forest.
Bordering the town is some beautiful countryside and to the southwest is the Mortimer forest. If you take the B4365 out of town and after going over the bridge take the first right marked Burrington and Wigmore. Follow this road for a couple of miles until you see a car park called The Vinnalls on your left hand side. If you park here there is an all ability trail starting from the car park marked with blue signposts. The trail runs around a figure of eight circuit for approximately a mile and a quarter. Although the surface of the paths are excellent, there are some long steep inclines so you will either need a strong pusher or to have good upper body strength yourself.
The Spaceguard Centre
Twelve miles from Ludlow along the A4113 is the Spaceguard centre at the border town of Knighton. Just before you enter the town you will see a signpost on your left directing you up a steep hill, the centre lays on the right hand side at the top. The views from here are magnificent on a clear day. The Spaceguard Centre is a working astronomical observatory that was established in 1996 as an information point for observing Near Earth Objects and the threat they could pose to life on earth. Day tours are arranged at 10.30am (1st May to 1st November only), 2pm and 4pm Wednesday to Sunday each week. It is possible to access all of the observatory apart from the telescope platform and the tour is extremely interesting. There is a disabled toilet on site.
Back down the hill in Knighton is the Offa's Dyke Centre which along with tourist information about the area has a small exhibition with interactive displays. There is a good disabled toilet here (Radar key operated) ask at the desk if you don't have a key.
Secret Hills Discovery Centre
Seven miles north of Ludlow up the A49 at Craven Arms is the Secret Hills Discovery Centre . The centre is fully accessible including an all ability trail that includes a raft out over a small lake. There are many interactive displays that explain the history of the local landscape and a simulated hot air balloon ride. There is a cafe, shop and a disabled toilet as well as free parking.
Shropshire Shuttle Bus
There are Shuttle buses that operate three routes from the Secret Hills Discovery Centre, the Carding Mill Valley and the village of Bridges and all the buses are wheelchair accessible. Telephone 01743 251000. They allow you to relax and explore the hills, valleys and villages of this beautiful part of Shropshire whilst someone else does the driving and you can concentrate on the views. If you wish you are able to swap from one shuttle to another to see as much of the area as possible. Only one wheelchair can be accommodated at a time so it is essential to prebook the service and the friendly staff will help you plan your route to ensure you enjoy your day fully. This can include a stop for lunch at the various pubs on route including the 'Inn on the Green' at Wentnor where they have recently installed a ramp to assist access.
Fares are extremely reasonable, an adult day rover is £5.00, a childs day rover is £2.50, a family rover (2 adults and up to 4 children) is £10.00 and if you have a concessionary bus pass then where ever you come from in England you can travel free!!
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
If you continue up the A49 north for another five or six miles you will see a signpost directing you right to Acton Scott Working Farm Museum . Most of the site is wheelchair accessible but it is important to bear in mind that it is a farm and the paths may be muddy. The farm yard where the young animals are housed has a cobbled surface that you might find difficult to negotiate. Having paid at the main entrance please ask for directions to the disabled parking area that lies directly behind the cafe. There are lots of activities and events that take place throughout the season and there is plenty to see. There is a shop as well as the cafe and a disabled toilet.
Clee Hill lies about six miles to the east of Ludlow on the A4117. There are panoramic views over the surrounding countryside both from the viewpoint on the main road and from the summit car park.
PLACES TO STAY
We have found eight places to stay in the area that have been especially adapted for wheelchair users.
Southcot
The first is pleasant bed and breakfast accommodation in an edwardian house called Southcot situated in the attractive and historic town of Ludlow in south Shropshire near the Hereford border. Access to the property is via a ramp and there is off road parking. On the ground floor there is a twin bedroom with an en-suite wheel-in shower room and toilet (with grab rails but no room to side transfer). Breakfast is served in the dining room across the hall. Tel: 01584 879655 more info
The Clive
Secondly is The Clive, Bromfield, Ludlow :- The property is situated on the main A49 a short distance from Ludlow and is accessed via a ramped entrance from the adjacent car park. There is one attractive, spacious twin bedded room and the beds are positioned to allow right or left hand transfer and with sufficient underneath clearance to allow use of a portable hoist. The en-suite shower room has room to side transfer to the toilet and a fold down seat in the shower (N.B. the shower controls although at a low level are not easily reached when seated on the seat). There is a portable ramp on site that allows access to other ground floor bedrooms and the conference suite. Also on site is the Clive bar and excellent restaurant with ramped access via the bar entrance and a good sized accessible toilet in the foyer. This could be suitable for both accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users. more info
Tel : 01584 856565
Tugford Farm
The third is Tugford Farm, Tugford, Nr Craven Arms :- Bed and Breakfast twin bedded room with a spacious ensuite wheel-in shower on a working farm in picturesque south Shropshire. This very attractive accommodation has good outside access via a hard surfaced path and shallow ramp. There is ample internal wheelchair turning space and clearance under the electric bed to allow a portable hoist. A raised toilet seat is available and other equipment can be hired in. Access to the breakfast room in the farmhouse is across a hard surfaced path and through widened doorways and via a shallow ramp. This would be suitable for both unaccompanied and accompanied wheelchair users. more info
Tel:- 01584 841259
Shuttocks Lodge
Then there is Shuttocks Lodge, Norbury, near Bishop’s Castle :- Attractive self catering lodge on one level set in peaceful rural countryside close to the Longmynd and Stiperstones. There is level access into the property from a gravelled drive. Good proportioned bedroom with king sized (zip and link) bed with sufficient underneath clearance to allow a portable hoist and ample wheelchair turning space. There is an en-suite wheel-in shower room (fixed seat) with turning space and room for side transfer to the toilet. There is an attractive lounge/dining room with access through french doors and over a small sill on to an outside eating area. The small kitchen does not have sufficient floor space to be able to access the units and sink easily from a wheelchair because of this wheelchair users will need to be accompanied. more info
Tel: 01588 650433
Goosefoot Barn Cottages
Next there are Goosefoot Barn Cottages :- ‘Munslow’ self catering cottage is set in a secluded valley in the beautiful South Shropshire countryside. There is level access to the property around a paved path. The accommodation comprises of a spacious kitchen (The kitchen units and appliances can be accessed from a wheelchair) and pleasant lounge area, a separate bedroom with king sized divan bed allowing wheelchair access on the right hand side and a shower room with a level access shower (with shower stool) and room for side transfer to the toilet. There is also an outside courtyard eating area. Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement. This would only be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users as access to the property is through a five bar farm gate. more info
Tel: 01584 861326
The Byre
There is also the Byre, Gravels Bank, near Minsterley :- Attractive self catering converted cow byre on one level set in a beautiful valley with magnificent views over the surrounding countryside towards the Stiperstones. There is level access into the property from a concreted drive. The accommodation is a spacious studio apartment with a fold down double bed that has sufficient underneath clearance for a portable hoist. Also available is a single bed that can be placed adjacent to the double bed. Wheelchair users can reach the units and cooker in the kitchen area from their wheelchair. There is a very large en-suite wheel-in shower room with a shower chair and access for side transfer to the toilet. This could be suitable for both unaccompanied and accompanied wheelchair users. more info
Tel: 01743 891412 e-mail: yj.hart@virgin.net
Swallows Nest
Also in the area is Strefford Hall ‘Swallows Nest’ Cottage, Craven Arms :- Very attractive ground floor self catering cottage with ramped entrance set in farmland. Good wheelchair access throughout including en-suite wheel-in shower with seat. Adjoining kitchen and lounge with french doors on to accessible outside eating area. The bedroom has wheelchair access to either side of the bed and underneath clearance for a portable hoist. Male guests might need to bring an electric shaver socket adaptor. This could be suitable for accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users. Tel: 01588 672383 more info
Brook House Farm
Lastly there is Brook House Farm, Wall under Heywood, near Church Stretton :- Self catering converted barn with a double bedroom and adjoining twin bedroom. There is level access into the property across a shallow gravelled area. It is all on one level and contains a good sized, well equipped kitchen and a small attractive lounge. The double bedroom has a compact ensuite wheel-in shower and toilet (no room for side transfer) but no wheelchair turning space. Wheelchair users will need to be accompanied and able to stand to access the toilet easily.
Tel: 01694 771308
There is also a Travelodge on the outskirts of Ludlow that has three accessible rooms with wheel-in showers.
Ludlow is an interesting and historic town and makes an excellent base to explore the south of Shropshire.