We spent the night in a hotel just outside of the market town of Ludlow, based in the heart of the Welsh Marches. The next morning we drove into the town center and strolled through the medieval streets. We followed the trail along the River Teme around the walls of the ruined Ludlow Castle. The castle was damaged during the Civil War and then abandoned in 1689. Comus, a court masque using music and drama and a precursor of opera, by John Milton was first performed here in 1634 in the Great Hall. Prince Arthur, elder brother of Henry VIII, died at Ludlow Castle.

Ludlow grew in wealth from the medieval wool trade, becoming an important political center, and enabling it to maintain much of its medieval street pattern and timber-framed buildings.  It has been described as “the perfect historical town” with nearly 500 listed historical buildings. Among these are the magnificent sandstone Church of St Laurence, Feathers Hotel, Reader’s House, and The Bull. The heart of Prince Arthur and the ashes of poet A E Housman are buried at the Church of St Laurence. The east end of the church backs onto the Bull Ring, with its ornate timber buildings. Across the street, The Bull, with its Tudor back yard, and The Feathers, with its flamboyant façade and name recalling the feathers used in the once local industry of arrow-making, are inns vying for attention and customers.