LUDLOW & THE WELSH MARCHES
Ludlow, its skyline dominated by the ruins of the great mediaeval castle and the lofty tower of the parish church, is one of England’s most agreeable small towns. Lodged on the banks of the tranquil River Teme, the historic capital of the Welsh Marches is blessed with a charming mixture of Jacobean half-timbered and Georgian brick buildings, while all around lies scenery of great natural beauty studded with historic houses.
Our itinerary features the splendid National Trust house at Berrington and English Heritage’s Stokesay Castle, one of the country’s earliest fortified manors. The emphasis of our tour, however, will be on buildings that are not normally open to the public. We will enjoy a private dinner at High Victorian Stokesay Court and pre-dinner drinks at neo-Classical Oakly Park. Further highlights will include the matchless Baroque interiors of Mawley Hall, the handsome Greek Revival Millichope Park, and the glorious gardens of Elton Hall with their views over the Bringewood Hills and Welsh Marches.
We will be based at AA five-star The Clive Hotel situated on the edge of Ludlow.
This tour will be led by Roger White, MA (Cantab), FSA, architectural and garden historian. Roger is the former secretary of the Georgian Group and Garden History Society.
Itinerary
Day 1Tour assembles 1300 at The Clive Hotel, Ludlow, for four nights. Afternoon: walking tour of Ludlow (including Castle, Guildhall and St Lawrence Church) followed by early evening visit to Oakly Park (Viscount Windsor).
Day 2Millichope Park, Acton Round Hall and Church, Stokesay (13th century church, castle), Bromfield Priory.
Day 3Berrington Hall (house by Henry Holland in Capability Brown landscape), Jacobean Kinnersley Castle (with lunch), Georgian Gothick Shobdon Church, gardens of Elton Hall.
Day 4Georgian Bitterley Court, Gibbridge (elegant modern country house), Mawley Hall (one of England’s finest Baroque interiors). Evening: private dinner at Stokesay Court.
Day 5Leominster (priory, Georgian assembly room, Jacobean town hall), Hampton Court Gardens. Tour disperses Leominster railway station 1415 and hotel 1445.
Cost includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, full board (except lunch on day 1), excursions & admissions (except EH & NT properties).
Not included: travel insurance, supplement for double/twin for single use £180.
