Rolling hills, beautiful villages, historic towns, castles and fun activities for the family, the county of Shropshire is a “rural gem” that has it all for the discerning tourist. But don’t just take my word for it – ABTA, the influential Association of Travel Agents, rates this west Midlands area in its Top 10 places to watch in 2024. It sits proudly alongside such exotic destinations as Aruba, Crete, Mauritius, Vietnam and Zambia.
Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to our weekly newsletter , sent on Wednesdays Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Harborough Mail, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. So, while there are no white, sandy beaches and palm trees here, there are treats of a very British nature to enjoy. I chose to sample its delights in the very pretty town of Ludlow.
Famous for its September food festival, it is an ideal base. We stayed in a delightful four-bedroom cottage just a short walk from the town’s market square and shops, as well as the medieval castle. As a multi-generational group there were lots of needs to cover - teenagers were after shops, adults wanted to find locally-made produce and everyone was on the hunt for good restaurants.
For all of these the boxes were ticked very heartily. A wide range of individual shops included delicatessens and gift and fashion outlets. There is also a museum, a distillery and many walks to take in the area.
As you stroll around the town what really takes your eye is .
