Ludlow or Shrewsbury?

[Leafy2018]

We would like to move next year and have looked at several places, the most recent being Cheltenham which we ruled out as it felt too gritty around the edges (although really lovely in places).

For context we have four children who will be 4, 7, 16 and 19 when we move. I’m not sure what our 18 year old will be doing then - possibly uni/dance school but will be keen to get back and see us regularly.

We are booking four nights just outside Ludlow to explore the area at Easter.

It would be great to hear any thoughts on Ludlow or Shrewsbury. What are the schools like (both state and independents)? Safety? Quality of life? Healthcare? Things to do as a family? Leisure facilities? I’d be interested to hear how easy it is to integrate and make friends if you’re not from the area originally.

I understand the main drawback to Ludlow is that it’s a bit cut off and Shrewsbury is better connected to other areas. On first blush I think Ludlow looks more our cup of tea as we are used to a smallish market town (Cheltenham felt too much like a city). We like walking and there seems to be plenty of NT and castles close by to Ludlow to pop out to. Are there any other places that are a must to visit while we are in the area?

I’d be so grateful for any help or advice. This move has been a long time in coming. We’ve never really settled where we are so we really need to get this right.

Thank you!

I don’t know where you live now, but farms in the uk are private properties/businesses and you aren’t supposed to enter them.
Some have footpaths running through/past them, but the irony about living in the countryside is that so much of the actual countryside is privately owned and off-limits. Due to less footfall or farmers not happy about walkers access footpaths etc often aren’t maintained/or easy to find/use.

Ludlow is a lovely little town, great for foodies, and the surrounding countryside my favourite in the UK with rolling fields, mixed farming and still has many of its beautiful hedgerows and ancient oaks. But is very cut-off and I’m not sure what amenities there are for younger people. Not sure how easy it would be as adults to find friends, but no doubt your children’s lives will bring you into contact with lots of people.

Car owning/driving is absolutely necessary when you live in the countryside, but the roads have high accident rates. As a parent you’ll be doing a lot of driving and as there’s no much public transport you have teens bombing about in their/theirs friends cars as passengers and that would concern me, but obviously they need their freedom at the age so you’re a bit stuffed.

Ludlow is lovely but a massive pain to get to an airport etc

Shrewsbury once has the world's best train announcers, but Faye and I moved on.

As others have said, definitely Shrewsbury rather than Ludlow with children / teenagers. It's a lovely town with a lot going on. You might still find it is a bit cut off for teenagers though - I think the train into Birmingham is about an hour. It might be worth looking at Bridgnorth as it's closer to the West Mids (including the hospitals in Dudley and Wolverhampton if that is a concern).

Having said all that, I live near Cirencester currently and we don't struggle for National Trust properties and other things to do!

Shrewsbury is lovely, direct trains to Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff if you need a bigger city.

I agree on Shrewsbury with teens. Much as I love Ludlow dearly, there is less to do there, unless you want to treat it as an overgrown village near Shrewsbury.

Have you considered a bit further south? Hereford has much more going on than it did when I lived there. Not the easiest for transport though.

I know the area well. :)

I would say Shrewsbury is a bit more "family friendly". There's more things to do there, and nearby, and it's just that bit nearer to civilisation, with good rail links.

Ludlow is a lot more "in the countryside" and a little bit arse-end of nowhere. Not to mention a solid 30-45 minutes drive from any good transport links. And if your kids aren't especially interested in rambling up hills, there's not much else going on.
I've got cousins with an armful of kids from ages 13 down in and around Ludlow, and they don't rate Ludlow College for secondary (about the only option) AT ALL.

Other's have suggested you take a look at Bridgnorth... I'd agree. It's a solid mid-point between Ludlow and Shrewsbury in terms of character/history etc. It's also marginally more approachable in terms of location than Ludlow as well.

Personally, I'd always pick Shrewsbury of the three. Especially with a young-ish family in tow.

Shropshire is known for it's farming, but honestly, it's business there. You won't find the cutesy little hobby farms where small children can pet the goats.
In my experience, the farms of Shropshire are private businesses, often very isolated, and neither welcoming or safe for curious newbies. They are all livestock farms as well, sheep and cows mostly. Cows especially can be dangerous.

Love Shrewsbury, my in laws moved there 15 years ago. Lots to do and see but I'd aim for nearer Shrewsbury than the surrounding villages if you have teens as they are quite rural, unless they are happy with that kind of life. You'll get a stonking property for your budget.

If you were to chose Cirencester there is a brilliant dance / drama academy in Swindon called Wilks Academy which is just about doable from Cirencester.

I like Shrewsbury too. But the train from South Wales to Shrewsbury stops at Ludlow, so there's your public transport link. If OP wants a market town vibe, and finds Cheltenham a bit much, maybe Ludlow is a better bet. Or drive a bit further along the A49 and take a look at Church Stretton. Railway station on the same line.

Have you looked at Staffordshire too? Stoke is a very busy little Market Town with great walks and good transport links to the M6 and A34 plus it has a train station.

You could get a house like this one

Villages around from edges of Telford (which has many facilities being a newtown) e.g. Ironbridge area, Broseley, Newport, Admaston? Newport has good selective high schools.

Stone (typo I know). Don't think OP wld be too happy with Stoke!

If you live in Shrewsbury, or know it well, how often does the Severn break its banks?

Definitely Shrewsbury, it’s a great area with all the connections and amenities your teens might need. Also really lovely shopping.
I know a lot of people like it, but I don’t think Ludlow is all that great. I wouldn’t want to be a teenager there and thinking about it probably wouldn’t be my first choice as an adult either. Definitely not gritty, but just a bit disconnected.
I absolutely love Bridgnorth, but the transport is really not good. There are no trains (apart from steam!) and you’re a good drive from any hospitals and larger amenities.
For Shrewbury the Bayston Hills area is nice and right on the edge of countryside. Good schools too. I also love Church Stretton, it’s really beautiful round there, but thats smaller than Ludlow and has lots of retirees.

This has made me smile. If op thought Cheltenham was gritty she definitely wouldn’t like Stoke.

So grateful for all your replies - it really is appreciated as they are tricky things to ascertain by googling alone!

Thanks for the suggestion of Staffordshire. I have to be honest I wouldn’t be keen to be near Stoke, although having got married in Staffordshire, I know there are some pretty parts too. My first bf had family in Stoke so spent quite a bit of time there and know that it’s probably not a good fit… That house is huge though!

It really sounds as though, as beautiful as it may be, Ludlow would be hard with a family. Can anyone tell me what the Leisure Centre in Shrewsbury is like? Is that the only swimming pool? The reviews are a bit 🫣

@stickybear

Please could you tell me what NT type places you visit near Cirencester? We prefer bigger ones where you can go off walking. We have one near us here in the SE and it’s such a waste of time as it’s all fenced in! Land here also tends to be privately owned… Not many estates not still in the family.

I hadn’t considered the higher rate of accidents on country roads… definitely something to consider with teens - thank you.

Dashing out but will reply further later. Thanks so much again for the helpful advice everyone.

Thank you for this. I’ll take a look.

@Leafy2018The Quarry swimming pool is currently the only public pool in Shrewsbury town. I haven't been for years but believe it is looking very tired. There was talk of building a new pool out at the Sports Village (leisure centre) which is on the northern outskirts of Shrewsbury, but there's the issue of money (lack of) and the argument to keep the pool in the town centre as it's more accessible.

Newark Park is a nice NT, smallish but with lovely walks and views. Chedworth Roman Villa is interesting too. There's also loads of non-NT places for a day out within a 30-60 minute drive of Ciren! Cotswold farm park, wildlife park, Bibury (including the trout farm which sounds weird but is actually good fun), all the various attractions in Bourton on the Water. Westonbirt Arboretum is good for walking. There's also a swimming pool in town and an open air pool which is fun in the summer, plus the Cotswold water park for various water-based activities. Obviously there's not a lot of wild open spaces to be found in the Cotswolds but there are plenty of nice places to visit and to walk.

Sorry yes Stone not Stoke! Very different places

Thanks so much for this 👍🏻 Very kind. I will look up those places. Where we are, we need to travel miles for things to do and I’m keen not to repeat the same mistake. We were used to having several things to do within 20 minutes of home where we lived previously. I actually don’t want to drive much further than 20 minutes to simply get out to a NT estate or similar for an hour or two 🤷🏻‍♀️ Really appreciate the informative reply - thank you.

This doesn’t sound too hopeful! Do you happen to know of any places where you can swim with a family as membership?

There are pools at the following gyms;
David Lloyd in Sundorne
Bannatyne in Meole Brace and
Castle Country club in Rowton.
Those are the only one's I can think of off the top of my head.

Whitchurch, in the north of the county (about 20 miles from Shrewsbury town centre) has a brand new pool which opened today!