PLAN YOUR ROUTE. The A456 and the A49T provide a speedy route to Ludlow. Five road bridges and one footbridge cross the river. Many of the roads are narrow for details refer to O.S.map -Explorer 203.

 

 

EXPLORING THIS AREA

The river flows through a gap between the hills and then turns south and later east around Clee Hill.

 

Take a closer look at Tenbury before crossing its sturdy bridge. The tower of St. Mary’s church is Norman but a castle has guarded this important river crossing since Saxon times. In 1839 a mineral spring was discovered by the main street, the suffix ‘Wells’ was added to 'Tenbury' and for a short time this was a spa town.

 

Over the sturdy bridge and the route staggers the border between Herefordshire and Shropshire. Take a trip to Burford House and Gardens, the new meadow garden goes down to the Teme and is full of wild flowers. Further along the A456 at Little Hereford a Millennium Walk starts at a church with a truly massive 13th century tower. The route goes over a footbridge that sits on old stone foundations. If you do choose to take a walk be on the alert, its easy to miss the track that goes to the left off the A456 down to the church car park.

 

The southern route out of Tenbury passes near the museum. Narrow roads follow the direction of the river and join the A456 at the Little Hereford road bridge. First, detour down the A4112 to St Michael's to the college where Sir Frederick Ouseley once trained young choristers to sing the finest church music. Concerts are still held in the parish church.

 

The pull of Ludlow with its centuries of dramatic history gets stronger after a right turn onto the trunk road that links the important towns of western England. Consider diverting to Orleton to discover more about the connection between the church and the Mortimers of Wigmore. Alternatively wait, turn left later, follow the signs to Richards Castle with its fine old church looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. The sign to the right off the A49 indicates that the road to Ashford Bowdler leads only to the village; the lane ends at the river where an ancient church is in danger of falling in. This is a gem of a place and well worth a visit.

 

Back on the A49 two delightful routes lead into Ludlow. One goes off to the right towards the village of Ashford Carbonel, it travels up the hillside towards Caynham and its hill fort. Continue up this road towards Cleehill if you are considering negotiating the tiny roads that lead to Hope Bagot where a conservation churchyard with a holy well and ancient yew tree indicate very early settlement. For Ludlow turn left at Caynham and cross the bypass into the town.

 

The route left off the A49 goes past the race course and over Ludford Bridge. Many of the houses in Ludlow have 18th century frontages. This was where the local gentry came for “the Season”, London being so far away.

 

CHURCHES TO VISIT 

St. Andrew, Ashford Bowdler. 

St. Mary, Ashford Carbonell 

St. Michael, Bromfield 

St. Mary, Burford. 

St. Mary Magdalene, Little Hereford. 

St. Giles, Ludford. 

St. Lawrence, Ludlow. 

St. Batholomew, Richard's Castle. 

St. Mary, Tenbury Wells. 

St. Michael, Tenbury.

 

SHOPS PUBS & RESTAURANTS

A full range of services can be found in Ludlow and in Tenbury Wells.

 

ANNUAL EVENTS

For details contact the Tourist Information Centres in Tenbury (01584 810136) and Ludlow (01584 875053)

 

WALKS

Long distance: A Teme Valley Walk – a new route by David Milton. ISBN 1-869922-45-X. Designed to be used with public transport it covers the length of the river. Available from book shops and information centres.

Walk: The Shropshire Way.

Local walking: O.S.Explorer Maps: No 203.

Some pubs and churches have details of local walks.

 

AROUND & ABOUT

Tenbury Museum O.S. 203: 592678

Burford House and Garden.

Berrington Hall. (National Trust)

Clee Hill O.S. 203: 596754

 

MORE INFORMATION

Tenbury Wells Tourist Information Centre http://www.tenburywells.info/

Ludlow Tourist Information Centre www.ludlow.org.uk/

Mortimer Coutry Consortium www.mortimercountry.co.uk/