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!

Annually, sometimes multiple times. You do have to be careful where you buy if you’re moving into the town itself. It’s hilly tho, just make sure you’re not low down. The gov.uk website has a flood risk checker.

Realised I should also have mentioned Cirencester Park in the town! It's huge and has walking trails etc. They've recently introduced an entry fee but I think it's reduced / free if you live in the town

Thank you! That’s useful to know. Funny that the new pool in Whitchurch opened today! I did have a look at Whitchurch on street view but wasn’t blown away…

Thank you. We did walk through a little way when we visited. It is very nice.

Come to Abergavenny or
Crickhowell .
Excellent high school in Crickhowell. New high school opening in Abergavenny this Sept.

@LulaK , many thanks for your reply. I am slightly in love with a property on right move that is too close to the river to be buyable. But it is gorgeous. However, it has been on the market for 11 months and the price has not been dropped so the vendors clearly think there will be a mug along sometime.

@Papyrophile whereabouts? I’m curious now! But yes you’re right to avoid. Flooding is likely to get worse not better. We saw an absolutely stunning place at the bottom of Belle Vue but we couldn’t take the risk.

I wonder if it is a mug thing. If you’re willing to take the risk/deal with flooding, you can get an absolutely amazing property for your money. We are not, but some folk might be.

It's a warehouse conversion on St Mary Water Lane. Literally on the river bank.

DH would not even consider it, so it wont happen but I just adore it. However, it has been for sale for eight months already and no price concessions so far. I would love to be there, as I like to live within sight of moving water.

Thanks for the suggestion but that’s a bit too far west for us 🙂

I think those plans were approved last year unless something has changed?

https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2024/09/plans-to-transform-shrewsbury-sports-village-get-the-go-ahead/

Am I right in thinking there is no pool at The Sports Village currently, despite photos showing one with a water flume?

There is a David Lloyd with a pool now and a Bannatynes for swimming also. There is also one posh one at Rowton castle.

Thank you. I’ve no idea how affordable memberships would be but good to know there are alternatives available whilst they build the new pool.

Also the quarry pool is fine - we were in it last week. It’s not particularly flashy but my kiddos think it’s great!

@Papyrophile ah yeah that one is stunning. Might be worth strolling past, see where the water line is. Those towpaths are regularly under water in the winter but it’s hard to see how much higher your ground floor is.

@LulaK I will try one day, but it's a long stroll from Devon which is where we live now. I hope (for the vendors) that it will sell soon and I can forget it. I assumed it had sold.

@Papyrophile I’ll have a nose next time I’m in Shrewsbury 😍

I don’t mind about it not being flashy - but clean would be nice. The town we moved down from in the midlands had a pool that I just considered to be average but the one here in the SE makes it look like Champneys.

OK. Disclaimer, I'm old and don't have kids. But my sis moved to Ludlow a few years ago and I cat sit there regularly. I've also been to Shrewsbury several times.

I vote for Ludlow.

• it has a train station
• it has perfectly fine roads to it. (A49 Ring Road's a bit fast)
• it has at least one swimming pool: teme-leisure.co.uk/facilities/teme-ludlow/
• it's wonderful: historically, architecturally, geologically, geographically, socially, foodily. (What's Shrewsbury's equivalent to the Ludlow Farm Shop, never mind everything else?)

Peeps have mentioned lovely places around both sites. I give you:
Ludlow to Stokesay castle: 15m (Shrewbury, 42 m)
Ludlow to Powis Castle: 42m ( Shrewbury 57 - OK, fair enough).
Ludlow to Cardingmill Valley (NT) AND the Long Mynd 36m (Shrewsbury 33m).
Ludlow to Hampton Court Castle: 25 min (Shrewsbury, 1 hr 13 m)

If the OP is still checking Ludlow stuff out, please visit:

Cinnamon buns: www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186367-d17700540-r929088093-CSONS-Ludlow_Shropshire_England.html

Geology: www.geolsoc.org.uk/GeositesLudlow

Church towers: stlaurences.org.uk/up-the-tower/

Good luck whatever you choose. :>)

Can I suggest Worcestershire?
lots of small and lovely towns surrounded by gorgeous countryside. Worcester itself is a lovely small city. Better connected than Ludlow.

@Leafy2018 They might have been approved, but whether the Conservatives are still in power to carry them out after 1st May remains to be seen - plus there's the small issue of finding the money!

Thank you so much for the input and the times of travel to various places - that’s super kind. There are certainly enough things to go out and explore at the weekends. Cardingmill Valley looks absolutely stunning - a bit like the Peaks (we used to live about 50 minutes away and we loved going to the Peaks for a day out).CSons is definitely on my list to visit…that looks delightful!

Have PMed you.

PIL lived in Ludlow.
It's pretty but very dull
Shropshire is stuffed with lovely countryside which is it's biggest draw.
Compared to where I live in West Yorkshire I thought public services and interesting things for older kids to do was dreadful.