Ludlow Town

Ludlow Town. . , "Probably the loveliest town in England" Sir John Betjeman , "Luck go with you, while Ludlow tower shall stand" A. E. Housman , , A Norman Planned Town 1090-1200 , The Castle was built about 1090, one of a line of Norman defences along the Welsh Borders. During the 12th.C a planned town was laid out in phases, one being the grid that includes Broad St and Mill St. The town walls were erected in the 13th C. with important suburbs outside., The Middle Ages From 1200 , Successive Lords of the Castle, especially the Lacys and the Mortimers brought Ludlow into National Affairs. The town became prosperous, first by wool collection then by cloth manufacturing. In 1461 the town became a Parliamentary Borough-many buildings survive from this period though often altered., Council Of The Marches 1472-1689 , Had their headquarters at the Castle with responsibility for Wales and the Borders with Civil and Criminal Courts. Members and officials living here brought further prosperity to the town. Ludlow became "the capital of Wales.", The Long 18th Century 1689-1836 , Ludlow thrived as fashionable Social Centre, glove making became the principal industry with malting also important. The population up to 1760 had been constant at 2,000, then increased rapidly to over 5,000 in 1831., Victorian Ludlow , A time of change, manufacturing had declined but the malt and supporting businesses grew, boosted by the coming of the railway in 1852. There was an expansion over the town fields to build new suburbs., The 20th and 21st Century , The growth of the suburbs continued and the population now exceeds 10,000, several new industries have emerged. Tourism has increased significantly and the town has become famous for its festivals., 1 The Assembly Rooms: Designed by Mathew Stead and built by his Uncle Samuel Stead with input by Robert Atkins and Miss Anne Smith (a rare example of a Georgian female builder) 1838-40. , 2 Ludlow Castle: Begun c. 1090 by the De Lacy family, continued by the Mortimers, then the Crown. Later home to The Council of the Marches 1473-1689, subsequently abandoned and ruined, 1811 bought by Earl of Powys. , 3 Buttercross: By William Baker 1743 on the site of the old town hall called The Town House. , 4 Broad Street: Georgian elegance mixes and masks many older timber buildings. , 5 St. Laurence: Established in the 11thc the principal Perpendicular style dates from 1433 to 1471. The tower rises to 135 feet. , 6 "The Corner Shop”: Dating from 1405 and owned by the same family since 1860. , 7 Ludford Bridge: Dating from c. 1216 it once carried a chapel and two houses. , 8 Dinham House: Town house of the Earls of Powys and residence of Louis Napoleon 1811 during his "detention". , 9 Broadgate: The only remaining one of seven town gates dating from c. 1230. , 10 The Feathers: Completed 1619 for local lawyer Rees Jones, the timber facade displays the Prince of Wales's feathers, hence the name.