The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Shropshire > Ludlow
2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Ludlow

Ludlow photos (111 available)

Old photo of Ludlow

Ludlow maps (2 available)

Old map of Ludlow

Ludlow books (2 available)

Ludlow memories

Do you have a photo of Gravel Hill?

I was born at the top of Gravel Hill, which was knocked down a long time ago, does anyone have photos of the top of Gravel Hill please??
I joined the army in 1960 and moved to Dover. My mum lived in Ludlow until a few years ago and passed away in a local home. My address all that time ago was 89 Gravel Hill.
Contributed by derek jacks

Custodian of the Castle

Ludlow, the Castle Entrance 1892

Andrew CORDEN, a widowed and retired police constable, became the Custodian or Warden of Ludlow Castle before 1871. He was still taking care of it when he died in 1879 on Dinham at the age of 74.

Did he live in a house on Dinham that came with the job? Which house might this have been? Are there any records of this position?

Andrew was my great great great Grandfather . . .

Mandy Sutton
Contributed by Mandy Sutton

Dinham Weir

Ludlow, Dinham Bridge 1892

The Ludlow weirs were navigation Flash Lock weirs until the railways came to the Teme valley. Sailing Trows from the Severn worked up the river with wheat for the mills from Gloucester returning with flour for the villages and iron bar from Downton for blacksmiths downstream. An 1820's painting shows the old Dinham Bridge with four square rigged trows unloading at Dinham Mill now Mr Underwoods lovely restaurant and other trows at the opposite bank and under full sail up to the Downton Gorge.
Contributed by Max Sinclair

Artists

Ludlow, Broad Street c1955

Groups of artists would visit in summer and stay at The Feathers Hotel.  After breakfast they would choose their locations, some at the church, some at the castle, others would be in the middle of Broad Street.  They would set up their stools and easels and stay there all day (except for lunch of course!). There was very little traffic in 1955. One wonderful afternoon, I was invited to join them and I was able to draw the mud & wattle buildings with charcoal.  At the age of 13, it was a great honour to be included in this wonderful group of people.

Does anyone remember Miss Grayfoot?  She was head-mistress of Ludlow Girls Grammar School during the fifties.  She ...read more here
Contributed by Charlotte Gatling

schooldays

Ludlow, Broad Street c1960

I went to the High School in Ludlow from 1941 - 49 and then went back to teach there in about 1956. I had a flat in Broad Street just below where this picture stops and used to go to this church of St Laurence on a very regular basis- they were wonderful days. I ran the Guides and also re-started the Sea Ranger Crew with a boat on the Teme.Ludlow was very different then as the old town hall was standing: I had such a shock when I visited years later and discovered it had gone. If only it had been replaced by a small park and flowerbeds instead of a car park it would have improved the town! ...read more here
Contributed by The Revd. Madeleine Evans

Extracts From Ludlow & Shropshire books

Ludlow, Dinham Bridge 1892

At this time in its history the Dinham Bridge was probably still known locally as the New Bridge. The present bridge was built in 1823 on possibly medieval stone piers, replacing a much older bridge. Sometimes in dry weather when the river is low the old piers can still be seen.
An extract from from"Ludlow Photographic Memories".

Ludlow, Lower Broad Street 1892

The Bell Inn with its ‘good stabling’ is obviously for visitors to the town (those who cannot afford to stay at the Feathers or the Angel), while the Wheatsheaf probably serves an even poorer local clientele. The carriage sitting on the left is made of wicker-work.
An extract from from"Ludlow Photographic Memories".

Ludlow, Dinham Bridge 1896

In these views you can clearly see another weir just beyond the bridge. In fact, there were several weirs all along this stretch of the River Teme; they were built to hold up the river so that there would always be water available to power the mills.
An extract from from"Ludlow Photographic Memories".

Ludlow, Castle from Quarry 1896

Notice the paths around the castle – walks were first laid out here in the 18th century for the gentry to enjoy. At the time it was a very popular pastime to promenade along such walks, meet friends, gossip and show off your finery in this way.
An extract from from"Ludlow Photographic Memories".

Ludlow, Church Tower 1896

The Normans may have settled around their castle, but the first settlement on the hilltop was probably near the site of the present church. Part of it sits on the site of a prehistoric burial mound that was demolished when the church was extended at the end of the 12th century.
An extract from from"Ludlow Photographic Memories".