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15 Best Things to Do in Ludlow (Shropshire, England)

A historic market town, Ludlow is crowned by a Medieval castle once home to Tudor monarchs.

The town is on high ground on the east bank of the River Teme, and along with its castle has one of the loveliest parish churches in England.

In Medieval times Ludlow was on the Welsh Marches, and much of this border region was marshalled by the Mortimers, who were some of the most powerful figures in England at the time.

In the countryside you can follow in their footsteps on the Mortimer trail and explore their former hunting ground.

Ludlow itself is uncommonly pretty, with more than 500 listed buildings, many in Tudor and Georgian styles and housing local shops like bakeries, bookstores and tearooms.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Ludlow :

1. Ludlow Castle

Roosted on a promontory over the River Teme, Ludlow Castle was founded by the Normans but reached the height of its powers in the 14th and 15th centuries under the Mortimers.

These “Marcher Lords” controlled a big chunk of the Welsh borders and wielded huge wealth.

After the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century Ludlow Castle became a royal property – Prince Arthur would die here in 1502, while Mary Tudor later spent three winters at the house.

The castle was vacated at the end of the 17th century and slowly became a ruin.

A whole spectrum of architecture remains, from Norman to Medieval and Tudor.

Passing through the outer bailey you have to cross a moat to reach the substantial shell of the keep and great hall.

In summer, as part of Ludlow’s Arts Festival there are open air performances of John Milton’s Comus, which was premiered at Ludlow Castle’s great hall in 1634.

2. St Laurence’s Church

As Ludlow’s wool trade prospered in the 15th century the parish church was given an expensive makeover.

Mostly in the Perpendicular Gothic style, St Laurence’s is Shropshire’s largest parish church and has decoration and fittings of a quality you’d normally expect from a cathedral.

This is clear in the 28 15th-century misericords in the choir, carved from oak and depicting characters like a Green Man, a mermaid and an ale-wife being dragged off to hell by demons.

Some have royal imagery, like a gorged and chained antelope, which was the badge of Henry VI who reigned in this period.

Also in the chancel are intricate monuments for members of the Council of the Marches (1400s-1600s). Check out the east window here, as well as another depicting the Ten Commandments, and showing six of them being broken!

3. Castle Square

The oldest and highest part of Ludlow, Castle Square is the scene of the town’s market, which we’ll talk about in more detail later.

Even when the market isn’t trading, Castle Square is Ludlow’s commercial soul, with just a couple of chain stores, and many more local shops like an antique bookseller, a bakery and a design shop, in between a few pubs and eateries.

On the west side are the Assembly Rooms, dating to 1840 and now used as an arts and community centre.

Also on the west end is an imposing Georgian townhouse, built in 1770 and used by the Ludlow Girls’ High School since 1910.

4. Castle Lodge

A monument we haven’t mentioned on Castle Square is the marvellous Castle Lodge, dating from the start of the 13th century.

The house was reworked at the end of the 16th century, when the distinctive timber framing on the upper storey was completed.

Earlier, Catherine of Aragon had lived at Castle Lodge (as well as the castle itself) when she was married to Prince Arthur, older brother of Henry VIII. At the time this post was written in 2018, the house was still in private hands as the home of an older man.

Castle Lodge is like a miniature Hampton Court Palace, and a time capsule of Tudor interior design.

For a small few (£3) you can go in to see the amazing wood panelling, plasterwork, Tudor fireplaces, stained glass windows and climb the creaking wooden stairs.

5. Stokesay Castle

A half-day out in the Shropshire Hills, Stokesay Castle is one of the best-preserved Medieval fortified manor houses in the country.

This fine residence was ordered in the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, another of the most affluent men in England at the time.

Stokesay Castle has survived so well as it was only partially damaged in the Civil War (when nearly all English castles were torn down), and the resident Baldwyn family were able to carry on living here.

The castle is maintained by English Heritage and has a magnificent Great Hall, with mesmerising views of the Shropshire countryside through its gable windows.

In the Solar (private apartment block) there’s delicate 17th-century carved panelling over the fireplace, while the gatehouse from the same time has carvings of a dragon, Adam and Eve and an angel in its frame.

The North Tower is also unmisable for its Medieval tiles floor and remnant of a fresco.

6. Acton Scott Historic Working Farm

Open in spring and summer, this living museum is a window on agricultural life in Shropshire at the turn of the 19th century.

Back then, burly shire horses were required for heavy duty tasks, in place of modern tractors.

As a working farm, the choice of activities at Acton Scott changes with the season.

Spring is a fine time to come, as you can bottle feed lambs, hold newly hatched chicks and collect eggs.

At various times of the year there are demonstrations of old-time skills like ploughing, sowing, harvesting, butter churning, milking, brick-making, forging and wheel-making, some of which you can take part in.

Kids meanwhile will adore the farm’s cows, sheep, poultry, donkeys and pygmy goat.

7. Ludlow Museum

At the very top of Broad Street is the Buttercross, built in the 1740s at the highest point of the Medieval town where the High Cross used to stand.

This grand Palladian building used to host the town council and is now the Ludlow Museum, dipping into the Ludlow and Bromfield area’s archaeology and natural history.

Be sure to see the Bitterley Hoard, a Civil War-period stash of silver coins, minted between the 16th and 17th centuries.

You’ll also Bronze Age urns and axes, a decorative Anglo-Saxon sword pommel and ring, and an assortment of fossils discovered in the local limestone.

8. Broad Street

North to south through the centre of Ludlow, Broad Street wends its way down to Broad Gate on the town’s wall.

The 20th-century architecture historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner described Broad Street as “one of the most memorable streets in England”. Standing in front of the Buttercross and looking down the street, Broad Gate is impressive against the wooded hillside across the Teme.

That gatehouse is a regal private home with a mixture of 13th-century defences and Romantic 19th-century additions.

All down Broad Street there are historic properties that are either private residences or independent shops.

Many of the facades are half-timbered, particularly the fabulous row near the top of the hill, which hangs over the pavement.

9. Mortimer Forest

Southwest of Ludlow is a big tract of ancient woodland straddling the Shropshire and Herefordshire border and owned by the Forestry Commission.

In Medieval times this was a hunting forest owned by the Mortimers who resided at Ludlow Castle.

The Forestry Commission installed picnic tables and laid out signposted walking trails.

Walkers in good shape can tackle the Vinnalls Loop, which ascends High Vinnalls, one of the tallest hills around Ludlow, at 248 metres.

The Mortimer Forest has interesting geology, with limestone dating back 400 million years.

You may turn up a fossil of a trilobite or coral from the Silurian Period when this place was deep underwater.

10. Mortimer Trail

If you really want to turn your trip into an adventure you can hike the Mortimer Trail, a 30-mile footpath through the Welsh Marches.

The route crosses the Arrow, Lugg and Teme valleys for some challenging climbs, and leads you over a series of limestone ridges and hills.

You’ll venture through gentle pasture and dense forest, and there’s history to keep you enthralled.

Croft Ambrey is an Iron Age hill fort, while there’s an august National Trust property at Croft Castle.

By the village of Aymestrey you’ll enter the Puckhouse Wood, long believed to be inhabited by pucks (a mischievous wood sprite).

11. Ludlow Market

Castle Square is a suitably historic location for the town’s market, which has been trading on this very site since the 1100s.

The award-winning Ludlow Market is run by the town council and takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays all year round.

What may strike you is the quality of the wares sold at these stalls, be it fruit and vegetables, handmade pies, wine produced nearby on the Clee Hills, fashion, furniture, fabrics, wool, books or jewellery.

There’s a farmers’ market on the second and fourth Thursday of the month and a “Made in Shropshire” craft market, normally on the first Saturday of the month.

12. Ludlow Millennium Green

Ludlow Castle is defended by a deep gorge on the River Teme, which makes the town all the more beautiful, but means that it can be tricky to get down to the river itself.

Ludlow Millennium Green is one of the few open spaces on the town side of the river, and sits just beneath the castle ruins.

People come to these lawns for picnics, lingering over the views across to the historic Dinham Bridge and the high west riverbank.

On hot days you can even take a dip in the river.

The Mill on the Green is on the site of a Medieval corn mill, which eventually became the Ludlow Electric Light Company in the early 1900s.

After closing, the mill was turned into a cafe, but its hydroelectric waterwheel continues to function, providing most of the energy for the cafe.

13. Whitcliffe Common

The steep wooded slopes on the west bank of the Teme are protected as a nature reserve and have a satisfying view of the castle before the Clee Hills.

This 53-acre common is threaded with walking trails and stone steps, and has benches where you can catch your breath and soak up the scenery.

By the water, the Bread Walk was first laid out in 1850 and will guide you past ferns, rugged cliffs and a waterfall.

The route is known as the “Bread Walk” because workers on the route were apparently paid with bread to prevent them spending their wages in pubs on the way home.

14. Clee Hills

Northeast of Ludlow are the powerful outlines of Shropshire’s tallest hills.

The closest of the Clee Hills to Ludlow is Titterstone Clee Hill (533 m), five miles south of Brown Clee Hill (540 m), the tallest in the county.

Both hills were mined for coal for hundreds of years, while the remnants of dolorite quarries pock the landscape on Brown Clee Hill.

The hills are laid with heather moor and wildflower meadows, and even grow vines in places.

Those industrial vestiges also add some mystery to the terrain to go with the astounding views.

To the west you can see as far as Snowdonia in Wales, while on clear days you can even make out Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, 30 miles to the northeast.

15. Medieval Christmas Fayre

At the end of November Ludlow Castle is the appropriate setting for a two-day fair with a Medieval theme.

Set against the 13th-century keep is the Castle Garden Stage, for choreographed fighting knights and storytellers, while the Market Place Stage has comedy, pantomime and Medieval-style bands.

Roamed by jesters and jugglers, that market boasts more than 100 stalls, offering all manner of handmade seasonal gifts and food and drink.

Visitors are invited to join in the fun at workshops for juggling, sword-fighting and archery.

15 Best Things to Do in Ludlow (Shropshire, England):

• Ludlow Castle
• St Laurence's Church
• Castle Square
• Castle Lodge
• Stokesay Castle
• Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
• Ludlow Museum
• Broad Street
• Mortimer Forest
• Mortimer Trail
• Ludlow Market
• Ludlow Millennium Green
• Whitcliffe Common
• Medieval Christmas Fayre

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• Stokesay Castle
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• St Laurence's Church
• Ludlow Market
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Things to Do in Ludlow, Shropshire - Ludlow Attractions

Things to do in ludlow, tours in and around ludlow.

The Slow Food Capital of England: A Self-Guided Tour in Ludlow

Cotswolds in a Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-on-Avon

Shrewsbury Prison Guided Tour

Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby

Shrewsbury Prison Self-Guided Tour

From Birmingham Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour

Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 5pm)

On the Origins of Charles Darwin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Shrewsbury

Laser Clay Shooting

Secret Cotswolds Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-upon-Avon

Top attractions in ludlow.

Other Top Attractions around Ludlow

What travelers are saying

• Stokesay Castle
• Ludlow Castle
• Ludlow Brewing Company
• St Laurence's Church
• Ludlow Market
• Mortimer Forest
• Weir on the River Teme

• Entertainment

Ludlow's Secret Gardens will welcome visitors

PLEASE USE PHOTOS FROM BOTH GARDENS

It's a rare opportunity to explore some of the area’s loveliest gardens, which are usually hidden from public view.

Every year hundreds of visitors travel from far and wide to peek beyond the gates of the Secret Gardens of Ludlow.

The one-day event, which this year takes place on Sunday, June 19, will once again feature a variety of stunning gardens, all in walking distance of the town centre.

"On offer is a selection of 10 lovely gardens, diverse in style, size and setting ranging from a courtyard garden behind a book shop, to sweeping lawns, a woodland garden with some rare trees and everything in between, offering views of Ludlow Castle, the river Teme or the Shropshire hills and beyond," says Cy Jones, who has been head of the event’s organising team for virtually its entire history.

Secret Gardens was launched in 1990 by LARFE (Ludlow Assembly Rooms Fundraising Events) to raise money for the lively arts, community and entertainment centre, which runs as an independent charity.

The popular fundraiser regularly brings in between £8,000 and £11,000 every year and 135 gardens have opened to the public since the first event.

"Secret Gardens is our biggest annual fundraising event for Ludlow Assembly Rooms. It attracts visitors from a wide area and the funds raised are crucial to the continued success of the Assembly Rooms," says Cy.

For garden owners, who all work hard to make their gardens look as inviting as possible, it's a chance to let visitors explore and share the beauty of their horticultural havens.

Among those opening their gardens for this year's event are Joan and Chris Birkett, who live in Temeside.

It will be the third time they have taken part in Secret Gardens and they are looking forward to welcoming visitors.

"The garden faces south and over looks the river. I think people are quite surprised by the garden and the lovely setting because it's not what they expect when they approach the house from the street," says Joan.

The couple have been tending to their plot, which includes colourful beds with a variety of different flowers, including foxgloves, and a seating area, since 2001.

"We do spend time gardening but we don't let it rule our lives. I'm not one for digging things up and taking them in for winter. I like the garden to look after itself as much as it can but we do have a holiday-let in the garden so we do like to keep it looking spick and span as our guests share the garden with us.

"It's such a pretty spot, it's pleasure being out in the garden when the weather is nice," says Joan.

Flower farmer and florist Kim Ralph is also opening her riverside garden at Temeside for the first time as part of Secret Gardens.

Her plot features beds of annuals and perennials, which she says were all chosen for their quirky beauty, nostalgic appeal and fragrance.

Her cutting garden was planted from scratch 16 months ago, after her previous plot was devastated in the 2020 flood.

Every path, wall, fence and bed was replaced after the flood flattened the plot and washed-up thousands of weed seeds.

"Initially designed to give me plenty of cut flowers for my own enjoyment, the patch has been so productive that I’ve now established a micro-business, The Ludlow Flower Farmer, using Facebook and Instagram to reach clients, and share my love of growing and foraging.

"I now seasonally provide customers with lovely bunches of old-fashioned, fragrant garden flowers. The sort of flowers that butterflies love.

"The planting is close and practical, with patches and rows of flowers jammed in, so that I can cut regularly and plant successionally. I choose colourful varieties with good vase life.

"The garden features many cottage garden favourites such as Snapdragons, Love-in-a-mist, Poppies, Sweet Williams and Foxgloves alongside lots of varieties of fragrant Mint, Eucalyptus and dainty grasses.

"Dahlias, Rudbekia, Alstroemeria and Scabious are planted for late summer. These are all flowers that aren’t generally imported – they don’t travel well out of water and are too delicate to endure long transportation.

"But when they are locally grown, they are fantastically vibrant, full of interesting shape, movement and nostalgic. These are the flowers that many of us grew up with in our grandparent’s gardens," explains Kim.

*Secret Gardens runs from noon until 6pm on Sunday, June 19. It costs £10 for a ticket/ map which provides entry to all gardens, available online from www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk or by calling 01584 878141.

They can also be purchased in person at Ludlow Assembly Rooms Box Office, Castle Square, which is open between noon and 3pm and between 6pm and 8pm, Monday to Saturday.

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Henley Hall

Ludlow england, shropshire, introduction.

Henley Hall has 19th-century formal gardens which include Pulhamite rockwork, and an 18th-century landscape park.

The following is from the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. For the most up-to-date Register entry, please visit the The National Heritage List for England (NHLE):

www.historicengland.org.uk/lis...

Formal gardens, largely late 19th-century and including Pulhamite rockwork, a landscape park and separate deer park, the last with 18th-century summerhouse and 18th-century deer shelter, associated with a country house.

DESCRIPTION

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING

Henley Hall lies 3km east of Ludlow, and is bounded to the north by the A4117 road from Ludlow to Kidderminster. Otherwise the park boundary follows field edges. Draining south through the park, which extends to c 60ha, is the Ledwyche Brook.

ENTRANCES AND APPROACHES

The Hall is approached from the north via a straight, 250m long drive. Until the later C20 this was lined with elms, supposedly planted c 1816. At its north end, on the A4117, is an early C18 wrought-iron screen and gates (listed grade II*), probably by Robert Bakewell of Derby, brought to Henley in the early C20 from Wirksworth (Derbys). On the east side of the entrance is a single-storey brick lodge of 1876. A second entrance, 100m to the east, gives access to a back drive serving the stables courtyard and the Dower House.

PRINCIPAL BUILDING

Henley Hall (listed grade II) is a large and long red-brick building, ranged east/west, of various dates from the C16. It was rebuilt and extended in brick about 1700, and again in 1772 by Thomas Knight. Further substantial alterations and additions were made in 1875 and 1907.

About 100m north-east of the Hall are stables (listed grade II). The main, west range, of two-storeys and with a central pedimented gateway, is late C18. Many of the buildings east of this are of 1875 or later, when there was a stud here. North of the stables there is a large fishpond.

GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS

Either side of the drive are formal garden compartments, laid out by the Woods in the early C20. These are defined by tall yew hedges, entered via opposing gateways with stone piers and wrought-iron gates. East of the drive the compartment contains a slightly sunken lawn, on the south-east corner of which are mature specimen trees. This represents a mid C20 simplification of the earlier Avenue Garden which in turn took the place of a fishpond present in the mid C19. Along its north side is a shrubbery belt with mature trees through which runs a curving rill. That rill continues, southward, through the rockery beds which lie behind the hedge on the west side of the drive. To the west of the rockery and rill is a broad grass walk with mature oaks down its west side which leads to the garden west of the Hall.

This west garden, largely lawn, is bordered to the north by a belt of coniferous trees and shrubs with further rockery beds to the front (south). The rill is carried through these, before entering the Ledwyche Brook which bounds the garden to the west. The Brook is crossed by a stone bridge of 1899, leading to a further lawn, shrubbery borders and a tennis court. On the east side of the bridge is a short, apsidal-ended terrace. Twenty metres east of the bridge, in the centre of the garden, is a pedimented brick summerhouse or orangery (listed grade II) of the mid to late C18. Immediately south of it is a small C20 swimming pool. About 10m east of this, in the angle of the house and the north/south terrace wall which retains the main south lawn, is the Rose Garden. This is a 20m square compartment, with brick walls to the west and south, and with a central, 5m tall, stone pillar. This occupies the site of a banqueting hall built by the Knights and demolished c 1875 by the Woods. Access between the west garden and the south lawn is via a monumental turning staircase (supposedly a copy of one at Haddon, Derbys, qv) of the late C19 from the south-east corner of the west garden. This leads up to a terrace walk with balustrade looking west, over the gardens either side of the Ledwyche to Mary Knoll beyond. At the south end of the terrace walk are bulbous bastions, one facing west and the other south, giving a view over the park.

To the east of the terrace walk stretches the formal lawn which runs along the south side of the greater part of the Hall. A mature Wellingtonia stands on the south-east corner of the lawn, which is bounded to the south, and divided from the park, by a ha-ha which runs eastward from the terrace walk. There is a broad gravel walk along the south front of the Hall, at the east end of which are wrought-iron gates on stone piers moved here in the later C20. The lawn continues east to the dovecote (listed grade II) and the walled gardens 150m east of the Hall.

Before the Woods bought Henley the gardens seem to have been arranged much as later, although with fewer architectural adornments. The latter ( the terraced balustrading, steps and bridge to the south of the Hall, and the hedged compartments to the north ( were introduced in the last quarter of the C19. The rockeries and rills were laid out by Pulhams c 1906.

The parkland comprises two distinct, but conterminous, parts: the landscape park around the Hall, and the deer park which adjoins it to the south. The north-east part of the landscape park, either side of the drive, is divided into railed horse paddocks. Swan Cottage, a bungalow, stands on the back drive on the east side of this area. Otherwise the park is permanent pasture with considerable plantings of parkland and specimen trees, especially as a belt down the east side of the park, and west of the Ledwyche Brook.

The deer park, angular in outline and containing c 21ha, lies 250m south of the Hall. A ha-ha separates it from the parkland to the north. Only the northernmost section of the deer park is visible from the Hall. Here, on a slight knoll, is Park House (listed grade II), a later C18, two-storey brick summerhouse with a gabled, north-facing facade. The central door in this is reached via a raised approach. The first floor contains a reception room, partly panelled and provided with a fireplace. Park House was clearly intended to provide an eyecatcher from the Hall, although today the building is largely obscured by trees which have grown up to its north, which are part of an irregular belt running along the skyline and continuing the planting down the east side of the inner park and west of the Ledwyche. Park House lies 50m north of, and overlooks, the north-west corner of a 200m long triangular fishpond, retained by a dam at its west end. One hundred metres south of the east end of the pond is a mid to late C18 two-bay by two-bay brick deer shelter with hay loft and pyramidal tiled roof. This stands in a laund with mature parkland trees including, c 100m west of the shelter, a huge, veteran oak.

The date of the park's creation is unknown. Unmentioned in medieval sources and unmarked on John Rocque's county map of 1752 it may, therefore, have been created when Park House and the deer shelter were built, in the mid to late C18. This would suggest that the park's creation may have been among the improvements effected at Henley by Thomas Knight, who bought it in 1770. The park no longer contains deer.

KITCHEN GARDEN

The kitchen garden, its brick walls dated 1778, stands 150m east of the Hall. The main compartment is semi-octagonal in plan. An C18 gardener's cottage stands against the west wall, while along the outside of the north wall are arcaded brick sheds of mid C19 date. In the 1960s Dower House, a single-storey brick house, was built in the interior and the south wall of the garden lowered to c 1m to give a view over the park. Running along the 90m long south side is a 15m wide outer compartment, in 1946 (CL) a walk with herbaceous borders called the Long Garden but now grass, added or rebuilt in the mid C19. Its south wall is only 1m high, and is surmounted with 2m tall iron railings. There is a central gateway into this compartment with apparently C18 brick piers.

Twenty metres south-west of the gardener's cottage is an C18 octagonal brick pigeon house.

W H Godfrey, Gardens in the Making (1914), figure 16

Transactons of the Shropshire Archaeological Society 48, (1934-5), pp 201-6

Country Life, 52 (16 August 1946), pp 302-5; (23 August 1946), pp 348-51

N Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Shropshire (1958), pp 147-8

Bitterley field name map, 1842 (Shropshire Records and Research Centre)

OS 6" to 1 mile: 1st edition surveyed 1883, published 1888

OS 25" to 1 mile: 1st edition surveyed 1884, published 1885; 2nd edition surveyed 1902, published 1903

Other Websites

• https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001124

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

About 1600 the manor of Henley was bought by Thomas Powys of Ludlow. In 1770 his descendant, the 1st Lord Lilford, sold it to Thomas Knight, a member of the Shropshire ironmaking family, who set about modernising the house, building the kitchen garden and possibly creating the deer park. He died in 1803 when the property passed to Elizabeth Knight, the daughter of his eldest uncle, Richard Knight of Croft Castle.

She left Henley to her son the Reverend Samuel Johnes, who assumed the name Knight. John Knight died in 1872, and in 1874 executors sold what had become a neglected property to Edmund Thomas Wedgwood Wood, under whom there was considerable investment in Henley and its gardens. The estate remains (1998) in private hands under the Woods' successors.

18th Century

• Late 18th Century

Designations

The national heritage list for england: register of parks and gardens.

• Reference: GD2127
• Kitchen Garden
• Description: Ledwyche Brook.

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Open to the public

Civil parish.

• {English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest}, (Swindon: English Heritage, 2008) [on CD-ROM] Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest

Shropshire Hills & Ludlow

• Wrekin & Wenlock Edge
• Long Mynd & Stiperstones
• Clun Valley & Clun Forest
• Clee Hills & Corvedale
• Bishop’s Castle
• Church Stretton
• Cleobury Mortimer
• Clun & the Clun Valley
• Craven Arms
• Much Wenlock
• Self Catering
• Bed and Breakfast
• Caravan and Camping
• Weddings and Special Events
• Historic Homes and Gardens
• Tours and Trails
• Horse Riding and Pony Trekking
• Walking and Hiking
• Adventure Experiences
• Mountain Biking
• Wild Swimming
• Group Activities
• Special Event Venues
• Landscapes and Nature Reserve
• Arts, Crafts & Learning
• Poetry and Literature
• With the Kids
• Cafes and Tea Rooms
• Pubs and Inns
• Restaurants
• Tasting and Tours
• Festival Calendar

Dower_House_Garden

Atonement_still

WesthopeArtwork

WesthopeOrchid

StokesayCourt

Homes and gardens of the shropshire hills.

There a number of substantial historic homes to visit in the Shropshire Hills, among them Stokesay Court (between Ludlow and Craven Arms), whose significant claim to recent fame is as the film location for Atonement,  adapted from the Ian McEwan novel and starring Kiera Knightley and James McAvoy. You can see precise film locations on one of the regular tours.

Wilderhope Manor, at Longville in the Dale, is a beautiful Elizabethan house, restored by John Cadbury in 1936. Although owned by the National Trust and open to the public on a limited basis, perhaps the best way to see it is to stay there as a guest of the YHA, which runs the building.

The Dower House Garden at the National Trust property of Morville Hall, near Bridgnorth, has been home to writer, broadcaster and gardener, Dr Katherine Swift since 1988. Its impressive one and a half acres are divided into a sequence of gardens to tell the story of Morville Hall through gardening, from medieval times to the present. The gardens include a turf maze, cloister garden, Elizabethan knot garden, 18th century canal garden, Victorian rose border, Edwardian fruit and vegetable garden, and a wild garden. The gardens are open on the May Bank Holiday weekend of Morville Festival and at least twice weekly from April to September.

The tranquil gardens at Westhope College, near Craven Arms, are open to the public from April to September. With rare fritillary orchids and delightful woodland walks with many artworks to discover. The £1 admission is great value.

In the same valley is Wildgoose Nursery and Gardens on the  Millichope Estate with a great range of violas and other garden plants in the renovated walled garden along with restored Georgian curvilinear glasshouses. Stop off in their tearoom for a snack or lunch.

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Shropshire may be one of the UK’s quietest counties, but there’s a lot going on

Canoe the River Severn

A great choice for those looking for serious adventure (and know how to handle a canoe), this five- or seven-day tour offers the chance to disappear into Shropshire’s most beautiful landscapes. The trip – which can cover the entire 125 miles of river – is self-guided, but 24-hour assistance is available. The boat is safety-tracked and there is only one boat departure per slot, ensuring total peace and tranquillity. Accommodation must be booked separately, with riversidecampsites, B&Bs and hotels all within easy reach of the river. A five-day trip costs from £595 including all equipment; bigsevernadventure.co.uk.

Walk the hills

Shropshire’s numerous footpaths and network of walks is much loved and a series of newly created walks by Shropshire AONB – Paths Less Trammelled – is set to offer different, lesser-known routes to famous landmarks such as the Long Mynd and Caer Caradoc. The six walks, all mapped and tested, will soon be available to download. shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk

Drive the Burway

For less-keen walkers, the Burway offers a chance to access the spectacular views from the Long Mynd without having to lace up your walking boots. Shropshire’s highest public road climbs steeply from Church Stretton up to the plateau, at almost 500m above sea level, with a sheer drop on one side and wide enough for just one car (meaning good reversing skills are essential). The glorious views make the white-knuckle drive worth it, and there are often gliders swooping in the skies above. Back on ground level, reward yourself with coffee and cake at Heather & Batch, in Church Stretton. heatherandbatch.co.uk

Alderford Lake

This wonderful water park is a great choice for a fun – if damp – family afternoon. Alderford’s 14 acres of water offer everything from wild swimming to canoeing and paddle-boarding taster sessions, or visitors can simply languid enjoy a lakeside picnic. The big draw here is the Aquapark, which has been upgraded for 2022; an inflatable playground set on the water, with obstacles to climb, jump and bounce over, including a 3.8 metre tower and water trampolines (it opens on 9 April). Wetsuits are available to hire and buoyancy aids will be included in the price. The Lakeside Kitchen is an excellent place to warm up after a chilly dip and there’s a terrific farm shop next door offering local goodies to take home. alderford.com

Peplow Farm Cottages, near Market Drayton

Newly opened last summer, these former estate workers’ cottages have been Converted into super-stylish boltholes that pair the trimmings of a boutique hotel with the freedom of self-catering. Owners Russ and Helen welcome new arrivals with a basket of goodies and a roaring log fire, with visitors invited to explore the 60-acre estate – it’s home to otters, kingfishers and swarms of butterflies. There are walks from the door, fishing on the lake and isolated firepits for night-time stargazing over fajitas and s’mores, along with a kitchen garden where guests can pick fruit and vegetables to cook. The village of Hopton (where you will find the excellent Bear pub) is just a few minutes’ drive away. Owl Cottage, sleeping four, costs from £1,050 per week; luxurycottages.com

Rest and Wild, Downton, near Ludlow

Hidden away among the 5,000 acres of the Downton Estate, Rest and Wild has four luxury cabins with two more set to open in May. All offer complete isolation, so much so that each cabin has its own rolltop bath positioned outside, to make the most of the views across to Clee Hill. Locally sourced foodie treats can be delivered, from breakfast packs to pizzas, barbecue hampers and booze, or pop into nearby Ludlow, Shropshire’s food-lovers’ hub, for treats from the Mousetrap Cheese Shop (6 Church Street) or fresh fish and seafood from the Fish House (Tolsey House, 51 Bullring). Cabins from £175 a night; restandwild.co

Stokesay Castle, near Ludlow

One of the best-preserved 13th-century manor houses in England, Stokesay has undergone extensive restoration in recent years, from the timber-framed gatehouse with beautifully ornate carving in its frame, to the north tower, where you can still see parts of the original medieval tiled floor. There’s plenty to keep kids occupied, with a family trail to find the Giant’s Lost Key, and new displays throughout the castle, bringing its rich history to life. The tearoom has a log burner to warm you up on colder days and it also serves traditional Shropshire dishes, with plenty of treats to take home from the well-stocked heritage shop. Booking is advised; english-heritage.org.uk

Glorious gardens

Northern Shropshire is dotted with some of England’s most beautiful gardens, from classic country house borders at Wollerton Old Hall ( wollertonoldhallgarden.com ) to the Dorothy Clive Garden – 12 acres of woodland, winter gardens and scented rose walks, set on a hill above the Shropshire-Cheshire border, and Hodnet Hall Gardens , renowned for its array of rare plants and trees. Goldstone Hall makes an excellent place to stay; a wonderfully cosy, family-run hotel with a five-acre RHS partner garden, that combines a blazing summer border with huge kitchen garden. Guests can join thrice-weekly early -morning tours, or simply enjoy the garden larder in the upmarket restaurant. Doubles from £160 B&B; goldstonehall.co.uk

Poetry Pharmacy, Bishop’s Castle

Shropshire’s most bohemian town is home to the world’s first walk-in Poetry Pharmacy ( poetrypharmacy.co.uk ) – a combination of bookshop, café and creative-writing hub with its own poetry pharmacist on hand. Make an appointment in advance to see the pharmacist, who can prescribe and hand-pick poems to soothe tangled emotions or simply provide uplifting reading. The half-hour consultation includes tea and a goodie bag, which includes an Anti-Stress Poetry Anthology . Combine a visit to the pharmacy with a stay at the Castle Hotel, which has 12 chic rooms with wonderful views of the Shropshire Hills, three bustling bars and a restaurant serving contemporary pub classics. Doubles from £125 B&B; thecastlehotel bishopscastle.co.uk

Shrewsbury Market

Home to more than 50 independent traders, Shrewsbury Market is one of England’s best and most vibrant, with stalls offering everything from books, antiques and gifts to a huge array of local fruit and vegetables, alongside artisanal meats, cheeses and breads and locally produced wines, beers and gins. Open from Tuesday to Saturday every week, the market is dotted with small cafés and restaurants. Or head to Csons ( csons-shrewsbury.co.uk ), run by four brothers, with inventive dishes from around the world. Later this year, visitors to the town will be able to see inside Flaxmill Maltings ( shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk ), a vast 18th-century mill that will offer an unparalleled insight into the town’s industrial past. shrewsburymarkethall.co.uk

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A Town Full of History

A walk through Ludlow's main streets and quiet lanes is to experience over 900 years of history. 

Ludlow Castle is one of the most interesting castles in the Marches, in a dominant and imposing position high above the River Teme.

The Shropshire Hills

Situated on the edge of The Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ludlow is the perfect base to explore this glorious area.

An Area Full of History

With many beautiful  historic buildings in and near Ludlow, the area is a fantastic place to step back in time.

Ironbridge Gorge

Ironbridge Gorge Museums are a series of museums, spread along the banks of the River Severn. The Ironbridge Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Welcome to Ludlow

Ludlow is a thriving medieval market town and an architectural gem with a lively community feel, busy with events and festivals throughout the year. The historic town centre and the 11th century Ludlow Castle are situated on a cliff above the River Teme and are surrounded by the beautiful countryside of south Shropshire and the Welsh Marches. Ludlow is an excellent base for walking and cycling ; as well as exploring the rest of Shropshire and the Welsh Marches . Ludlow has a reputation for the quality of its food and drink with many excellent restaurants and cafes encouraged by the areas abundance of quality food & drink producers. This is showcased every September when the town is filled with food lovers from all over the UK, and beyond for the Ludlow Food and Drink Festival

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A bustling market town, things to do in ludlow.

Ludlow has many things to offer - from walking the streets of this historic town and visiting Ludlow Castle and St Laurence's Church , to a meal at one of Ludlow's restaurants. Ludlow is also noted for the many events and festivals that take place throughout the year, from the annual Medieval Christmas Fayre and the famed Ludlow Food and Drink Festival. View our list of some of the Things to Do in Ludlow or our list of Events in Ludlow Ludlow and the surrounding area offers a great variety of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Please visit our accommodation pages for more details.

Events in Ludlow

Food & drink.

There is no shortage of good eating places in and around Ludlow, at all levels and to suit all tastes and budgets. Many top chefs have been attracted to the area because of the excellent supply of raw materials, resulting in frequent reviews in both restaurant guides and national papers. But it's not just gourmet meals that Ludlow excels in. At all kinds of eating establishments from the simplest cafe or pub upwards, you will be far more likely to experience really good quality food that is locally sourced than almost anywhere else in Britain. Visit our Where to Eat page .

Ludlow is situated on the edge of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is an ideal base for walking and walkers wishing to explore the hills, valleys and forests of The Marches. Ludlow also offers gentler walking opportunities into the surrounding countryside, and Whitcliffe Common, with its panoramic views, overlooks the castle and town - is an essential visit for any newcomer to Ludlow. Visit our Walking in Ludlow page .

and the surrounding area

The surrounding area.

Ludlow is a good base to explore this area from: within an hour (often much less), you can experience the delights of Shrewsbury, Shropshire's county town; the cathedral city of Hereford; the south Shropshire Hills such as the Longmynd, Caer Caradoc, the Stiperstones and Wenlock Edge; sample real Herefordshire cider and perry; visit Ironbridge, the birthplace of the industrial revolution and an UNESCO World Heritage Site ; or explore the uncrowded hills and valleys of Mid-Wales. More information about what's nearby to Ludlow.

Ludlow by John Creber

I love those crumbling castle walls, The old half-timbered shops and halls, And how the streets go tumbling down To riverbanks around the town. The festivals, the market square, The Medieval Christmas Fayre. I love those lazy long weekends - Good company, good food - good friends John Creber

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16 things to do in Ludlow

Visit the charming market town of Ludlow for rural rambles, medieval ruins, and cosy pubs packed with lush, local produce.

Nestled in the Shropshire Hills, the historic market town of Ludlow seems to have it all within its cosy reaches: a huge ruined castle , hundreds of listed buildings,  cobbled streets and world-class restaurants. It's also the ideal base for country strolls that end in pints of ale in snug, old pubs or - alternately - newly established breweries.

Switching off is guaranteed, as Ludlow’s streets are rarely crowded. That is, unless you visit (along with 20,000 others) for its annual food festival. 

RECOMMENDED: Discover Cheltenham , Cardiff and Snowdonia . 

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Best things to do in Ludlow

Head off on the circular Bread Walk . Start at the castle before and crossing the River Teme , where the scenic path takes you beside the water for about a mile. Stop for a drink in The Charlton Arms  on the balcony overlooking the river. 

Stop for lunch

Enjoying your riverside spot? Fine dining can be found at CSons at The Green Cafe .  It serves up delicious, unfussy and locally sourced food on a lovely waterside terrace. The Springfield chicken shawarma and the Shropshire asparagus and goat's cheese are amazing. 

Soak up the vibes

Ludlow Castle towers over the town. It has roots in the tenth century, but it's layered with history and is one of the best-preserved medieval ruins in England. Some towers and rooms complete with grand fireplaces are still accessible. Wander the grounds, the setting for Ludlow's major festivals, and enjoy the incredible views.

Branching a bit further out? Take a detour instead to Stokesay Castle for your dose of heritage. One of the best-preserved fortified manor houses in England, their great hall remains unchanged after 700 years and its fairy-tale tower offers glorous views of the Shropshire Hills. 

A bit more architecture

If you prefer your historical landmarks with the glass intact, then be sure to stop by at St. Laurence's Church . One of the largest parish churches in the country, its striking stained glass windows are a focal point with some of them being centuries old. It is also home to 201 step tower that has views of Shropshire for miles on a clear day. 

Splash the cash

Ludlow's historic streets are home to boutiques and antique shops.  Head to Corve Street to find modern art and furniture at Gallery 131 , locally sourced veg at Myriad Organics ,  and fascinating vintage knick-knacks at the Period House Shop . 

Drink like a local

Have a traditional tipple or two at The Wheatsheaf Inn , a pub built into Ludlow's medieval gate which date backs to 1668, or head to The Church , a Grade II- listed pub, for a fantastic G&T. If a more contemporary localé is on the agenda, then make a pitstop at Ludlow Brewing Company . Founded in 2006, sip one of their flagship Ludlow Gold by their log burning fires.

Not on the hard stuff? Check out the stunning, seventeenth- century Feathers Hotel   for afternoon tea. 

Traverse the local hills

Shropshire has some stunning scenery and that surrounding Ludlow is no exception. Clee Hills - covering both Titterstone and Brown Clee - was once home to medieval coal mining, but is now traversed by those who have an appreciation for nature. Take the Three Castles Walk to see - as the name suggests - three castles and cross the River Corve, or alternately visit Whitcliffe Common just outside of town and shows the turrets and towers of Ludlow castle in all their glory.

If you only do one thing

Ludlow has a long history of street markets dating back to the twelth century, therefore it makes sense to plan a trip during one of its famous fayres. Ludlow Food Festival  (September 13-15 2019) takes place inside the castle ruins with more than 180 food and drink offerings, while Ludlow and Mangalonga in August is a foodie feast and rural rumble. 

If your diary doesn't comply with those key dates, the town is home to the longstanding Ludlow Market which is home to over 40 stores selling a combination of local produce, cheese - or head over on a Sunday for the specialist flea market that covers garden fare, crafts and books.

And if you stay the night, wake up here

Would you travel across the country for some bread? If the loaf in question is Lee Westcott's IPA sourdough slathered in Marmite butter, the correct answer is, 'When's the next train?' The former head chef of The Typing Room in Bethnal Green upped sticks last year to open Pensons , a modern restauarant in a fifteenth- century barn on the Netherwood estate . Luckily there's somewhere to lay your head right next door. The Hyde ,  a Grade II*- listed medieval house comes with roll-top baths, a hot tub and cloud-soft beds. Emma Hughes 

The Hyde, from £2,600 for a three-night weekend. 

Exploring more of England?

Explore the rest of the UK

The best things to do in the UK include historical landmarks, striking architecture, a buzzing nightlife and more.

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5 under the radar places to visit when you come to Ludlow

5 under the radar places to visit when you come to ludlow..

So, you’ve booked your staycation for the summer and you’re already ahead of the game because you’ve decided to come to South Shropshire (sshhhh…don’t tell anyone else how awesome it is, or they’ll all want to come). You’ve scoured the Ludlow Guide website, you’ve checked the articles on TripAdvisor and the like, and you know about all the top-rated things to do and places to go in Ludlow.

But you aren’t *just* a ‘top-rated attractions’ type visitor, are you? You want to find places that only the people who are in the know….well, know about.  You want to be able to say airily, as you show off your snaps of the BEST STAYCATION EVER...

“Oh yes, of course, everyone goes to see the Castle, and we loved it – so much history, you know, but then we found this little place which no-one else seemed to know about – just locals there,”

...and then congratulate yourself as your friends oooh and ahhh at your insider knowledge (and Insta-worthy pics).

Traveller, this is the article for you! We have hit up the most insider-y of Ludlow insiders and finagled from them their top five under the radar places to see when you come to stay in Ludlow!

Mate…we have an awesome brewery.

“A little bit of beer is divine medicine.”

So said Paracelsus, a Greek Doctor (and he lived a long time ago so it must be true…)

One of Ludlow’s best-kept secrets is its brewery. Coming by train? Even better – it’s practically in the station (that may be a bit of an exaggeration – it’s actually housed in one of the old Victorian railway sheds). 

Not only is the beer divine, but the venue itself is simply beautiful – a shed it may have been, but it’s been restored lovingly and it’s a fantastic combination of modern-meets-Victoriana. They’ll even give you a scotch egg (locally made, obvs) to go with your pint, just in case Boris is asking.  

Locals love this place, and you’ll find a real cross-section of folks hanging out on the terrace (perhaps enjoying the live music they often have on). Husbands waiting while the wives canter round Aldi; trainspotters looking for…well, trains; bearded ale drinkers drinking some of the finest (award-winning) ale available in Shropshire.  

Defo one for the bucket list.

Titterstone Clee is not just a funny name.

I mean…it’s a really funny name and there are some nice schoolboy jokes to be made about the size of Shropshire’s Titterstones, but that’s not why this has made the list (or at least, it’s not the *only* reason why). 

Clee Hill isn’t *quite* the tallest hill on the block (that honor goes to its neighbour, Brown Clee) but the view from the top is absolutely unrivalled, and different every day.  Seriously, if you drove up there every day during your stay you’d get a different, but equally glorious view.  

Ancient folk thought it was pretty darned good too, and Titterstone Clee (*schoolboy smirk*) is one of only a few hills in England to show up on the Mappa Mundi (which you can go and visit in Hereford, just to check). 

There are some GLORIOUS walks along the hill – some possibly a little windy for smaller people – and, as well as the current iteration (which is still happily churning out…well, stones, I guess) there is an abandoned Victorian quarry at the summit, where you can take some urban looking shots of the graffiti (some of it really rather lovely) which keeps turning up on it. The quarry boasts some of the first ferroconcrete construction in the U.K., so that’s something for all you concrete fanciers out there.  Ahem.  

It’s worth noting that there has been mining on the summit for hundreds (probably thousands) of years as well as the quarrying, and that’s another good reason to avoid it with very small people – there are a reasonable number of drops and plummets to scare the bejesus out of any parent (but hey, maybe that’s your thing).

There’s a soap opera playing out on the river

So, there’s a river that runs through Ludlow, and on that river is a LOT of wildlife. Seriously, it’s a haven. If you want a good glimpse of what’s down by the river, try following @stevesankey on Instagram – he’s a local wildlife photographer and has captured some enviable shots of otters, kingfishers and plenty more.

But the thing that’s got all the locals talking this year is the swans.  There has been a pair of swans on the Teme for some years now – they are something of an institution, and many is the local who pops down to CSONS for a cinnamon bun (holy god those cinnamon buns…) and a peep to see if the swans are out.  Last year they produced a lovely…litter? Bunch? Nope, we don’t know the collective noun for them, but they had some babies, and for a while everyone was very happily sitting down by the Teme, growing fatter (darn those cinnamon buns) and cooing over the lovely little cygnets.  

In late summer, however, the female swan disappeared, and wasn’t seen for quite some time.  As it turns out, in a style worthy of Eastenders, an unknown pillock had shot her which is very sad but more common than you’d suppose. What has been lovely is to see, though, is that Dad is still bringing the cygnets along the Teme (presumably to hoover up cinnamon bun crumbs).  Shout out to all the single dads out there – and especially Ludlow’s single dad swan. It’s been a silver lining to an otherwise sad story.

Long story short – CSONS has amazing cinnamon buns, and there is some lovely wildlife to look at while you eat them.  Cinnamon buns.  Don’t shoot swans.

Bet you’ve never been on the Magnalonga before!

Nope – we don’t know what one is either, but when you live in Ludlow it’s associated with one thing, and one thing only – a massive great walk with loads of food.  Frankly, for this writer, putting pit stops along an eight mile walk is about the only way you could persuade her to partake in it in the first place, and as such it is a GENIUS idea.  

Brought to you by the same folk who do the Ludlow Food Festival , the Magnalonga is like its baby cousin.  You do a walk, so you get to feel virtuous, and Hannah (who’s a local and in charge of the whole thing) curates the whole thing, so you KNOW you’re going to get a nice one where you’ll see lots of lovely sights. It’s designed to show you the best views surrounding Ludlow, so you’ll get to see some fantastic glimpses and gorgeous vistas.  

During the journey, you get to make pit stops for refreshment.  This consists of some frankly bloody lovely local food, washed down with local drinks.  It’s all very…local.  It’s fun, you get to make loads of new friends who all like walking and eating stuff just as much as you.  What’s not to love?

Feel like golfing on a racecourse? Ludlow’s your town!

I know, I know, golf is one of those activities that is a bit of a divider – either your ears have pricked up, your mouth has started to water and you’re already Googling it, or you’ve rolled your eyes and written it off, but as someone who would ordinarily roll her eyes, hear me out.  

Yes, there is a golf course.  You can, indeed, play golf there.  But it is GORGEOUS. It’s on the Ludlow Racecourse, which is beautiful and historical in itself (there’s also a train track and level crossing that runs through it) but ALSO it’s within striking distance of the amazing Ludlow Farm Shop.  

So, if like me, watching people golf makes you want to cover yourself in honey and go and sit on an ant’s nest, leave your beloved playing, and shoot on over there.  

It has a beautiful garden centre, a pub (and it’s a REALLY nice one, not an old man one), a café and (obvs) a Farm Shop.  All brimming with produce that is locally produced on the Oakley Estate, of which this centre is part. You can go for a walk and see the priory at Brimfield (it takes 5 minutes to get there which even I can manage) and reward yourself with a coffee and a homemade cake.  AND there’s a playground, so even the small people are catered for.  Bosh.

So, there you have it. Ludlow has some amazing attractions, and many of them are rightly famous. The Castle is incredible, the Food Festival is the original and the best, and the mix of ancient, medieval and Georgian means that Ludlow is a feast for the eyes in whichever direction you look. Sometimes, though, you want to see the side of Ludlow that only the locals know about.  So don’t tell them I told you, yeah?

Article written by Katie Stone PA

Published by Ludlow Guide on 12 th / March / 21

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One of the finest medieval ruins in England. Set in the glorious bustling market town of Ludlow, the castle has superb views over the Shropshire countryside. Walk through the Castle grounds and explore the ancient lodgings of kings, queens, princes, judges and the nobility – a glimpse into the lifestyle of medieval and Tudor society. 

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Ludlow castle history, wedding at ludlow castle, filming hire, about ludlow castle.

Ludlow Castle, part of Powis Estates, is a partly ruined uninhabited medieval fortress in the town of the same name in the English county of Shropshire. It stands on an imposing high point overlooking the River Teme and in the Middle Ages was a crucial strategic stronghold for control of the Welsh Borders. At times it was the seat of English government in Wales.

The Earls of Powis began renting Ludlow Castle from the Crown in 1772, and bought the ruined structure in 1811. The castle has been passed down through the family since and is now owned by The Trustees of the Powis Castle Estate on behalf of the family.

Now open to the public, the castle is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

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Sunflowers, roses and wildflowers: A guide to New Jersey's most colorful gardens

From world-class flower farms to unknown gardens and trails, the Garden State has all the flowers to entice any plant lover looking for color.

Here are 8 great places to see the best flowers in New Jersey:

Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit

Nestled in Union County, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a floral oasis. Its vibrant landscape is filled with colors and scents, showcasing a rich variety of native and exotic blooms. From the delicate petals of springtime tulips to the bold splashes of summer roses, every season brings a new spectacle of floral beauty to delight visitors of all ages.

Greenway Meadows Park, Princeton

This expansive park offers a picturesque landscape of rolling meadows, shady groves, and flowery spots, providing a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Among its many charms are the many flowers that live there. From the cheerful daisies and sunflowers to the delicate blooms of wildflowers, the park got a lot to delights visitors throughout the seasons.

With its ample green spaces, playgrounds, and picnic areas, this park is perfect for relaxed yet playful moments.

Durr's Bluebox Produce and Flowers, Wrightstown

This charming gem for flower enthusiasts has a bounty of fresh flowers on sale. You can pick up your own flowers from the ground and create a fresh bouquet. Edible produce is also available on this acclaimed farm market.

Five Ponds Loop, Ringwood

Looking for a retreat away from the crowds? If so, this trail got you covered.

Through this secluded, 5.7-mile hike you can enjoy wildflower beds scattered throughout the trail. The hike has many small ponds and is suitable for bikes too.

Dalton Farms, Swedesboro

Renowned for its vibrant fields of flowers, the farm offers visitors a breathtaking spectacle of color and fragrance. At this farm you can see fields covered with sunflowers, zinnias, lavender, dahlias and tulips. Dalton Farms is an unforgettable floral experience for many. Admission to this farm cost $14 online, or $20 at the entrance. Tulips and daffodils can be picked for $2 per stem or ten for $10.

Rutgers Gardens, North Brunswick

This 180-acre botanic garden features dozens of gardens filled with azaleas, irises, allium blooms and many other species. Every garden is different from one another containing a specific collection of flora, such as the Donald B. Lacey Garden, a photographers attraction known for its extensive beds of irises, herbs and vegetables.

Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge

One of the biggest tulip farms in the country, this magical place is filled with flowers as far as the eye can see. When you visit, you'll find yourself surrounded by rows of colorful blooms of tulips and fragrant hyacinths.

This 300-acre farm has over 8 million tulips on display. Visitors can roam around, pick up some tulips and maybe take some photos.

A ticket is required to enter the farm. The are selling online for $15 and $17, depending on the day.

Brookdale Park Rose Garden, Montclair

Everywhere you look, there are roses in all shades and sizes, filling the air with their sweet scent. It's a peaceful place where you can stroll among the over 500 rose bushes in close to 150 varieties. While the garden is open year round, peak blooming times are in June and September.

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PHILADELPHIA — As a Sixers player accused the Knicks of crying, Tom Thibodeau said his team embraces physical basketball but again took digs at the lack of consistency in officiating.

“I’m not a journalist but if I were a journalist I’d write a couple things,” Thibodeau said. “I think the consistency — look at that play and then look at the Josh Hart play in Chicago. That’s my thing.”

Thibodeau was referencing Hart getting a Flagrant-2 ejection for kicking Bulls player Javonte Green at the end of the regular season, which contrasted Joel Embiid only being issued a Flagrant-1 penalty after purposefully dragging down Mitchell Robinson in Thursday’s Game 3.

It was part of an antic-laden first half filled with borderline dirty plays from the Sixers, which transitioned to a dominant second half from Embiid — a second half that wouldn’t have been possible if he were ejected.

“The No. 1 job of the official is to control and manage the game,” Thibodeau said. “So when there’s stuff like that going on, that’s their job.

“But we don’t mind physical.”

The Knicks indeed built an identity around playing hard and rebounding, but the Sixers won the battle of the rebounds in Game 3, 36-32, and beat New York in Philly for the first time this season.

Then the players watched Friday’s playoff NBA contests, which included three ejections — including a Flagrant 2 on Phoenix’s Josh Okogie for a foul that appeared less intentional than Embiid’s Flagrant 1.

“There’s a difference between, I think, playoff basketball and physicality, and then crossing that line. And I think multiple times, that line was a little bit blurred,” said Donte DiVincenzo, who was slapped by Philadelphia’s Kyle Lowry in Game 3. “You saw it across the league [Friday]. A couple guys got ejected. Refs are trying to put a stop to that. We know it was gonna be a physical battle. We know it’s gonna be another one [Sunday]. We’re not a dirty team. We’re here to play ball. And our identity is playing physical, but we’re not here to be dirty or do anything like that. We’re here to play ball and get a win.”

Sixers guard Kelly Oubre indicated Saturday the Knicks are just whining and easy to ignore.

The roles were reversed on the officiating complaints after Game 2, when the Sixers were listing grievances to the NBA mostly about the lack of calls.

“They’re going to hit, then we hit back, and then they cry and vice versa or whatever the case may be,” Oubre said. “Let’s just hoop and play hard. Nobody is going to fight. This ain’t the WWE.”

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Campaigning through the media for a more favorable whistle — and, in some instances, just a fair whistle — is hardly new to playoff basketball.

And on Saturday, Thibodeau pointed to the free-throw discrepancy in Game 3, which favored the Sixers, 33-19.

He also said to look at the screens set by Philadelphia.

Outside the lines, the series has become a war over the whistles.

An NBA source said Embiid’s status as a superstar played a role in not ejecting him from a playoff game.

But that also wouldn’t be a new phenomenon.

The NBA is a business above all else.

“If it’s tight, it has to be tight both ways,” Thibodeau said. “And so you can’t say one guy is drawing fouls and the other guy is not. And then you go through the tape and you say, ‘C’mon, c’mon.’

“It is what it is. That’s gone. Every game is different. Come out for this game and be ready to roll.”

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Los Angeles 'Domestead' listed for $2.3M with 'whimsical' gardens: Take a look inside

Zillow went wild for this unique, geometric "Domestead" in the hills of Los Angeles.

The home at 2538 Sundown Drive is for sale at $2.3 million, listed by Compass agents Carl Gambino and Ariel Putman, and was recently shared on real estate fan account Zillow Gone Wild .

Designed by LA architect William King and built in 1982, the listing comes with several gathering spaces in and around the home, with charming gardens, a wraparound deck and a garage that could be used as studio space.

"This is definitely the exact kind of house where you would dream," Gambino said in an interview with USA TODAY. "It's a very special house where people immediately get, you know, emotionally connected when they're there."

More real estate photos: They bought Florida party destination 'Beer Can Island' for $63k, now it's selling for $14M

Architect designed 'Domestead' for a young woman

Putman said the architect does not design much anymore, but she believes this is one of his greatest homes.

She said King designed it for a young pediatrician, whose photos still hang around the property.

"I think (it's) really cool that every owner since has just kind of preserved her memory for the space," Putman said.

Quarter-acre property a 'whimsical environment'

The two-bed, two-bath home sits on a quarter-acre lot, and Putman boasted the gardens and terraces as a draw for potential buyers. Plus, it has a great view of the city, she said, making it the ultimate LA outdoor space.

"It has like this wild garden feel, but very, like sophisticated in a way. It's all native plants and trees and like fruit trees, everywhere," Putnam said. "So like iit creates the most like whimsical environment for entertaining."

Gambino said the Glassell Park area where the home is located is popular among artists, musicians and actors. Many people who fit the bill have come to see the house, but it has also attracted a wider range of potential buyers like a chef who would use it entertain, and other business people who are interested in the home as a piece of art.