A mixture of historic surroundings and modern facilities make Ludlow pub a place to eat, drink and be merry
It's the oldest pub in the market town of Ludlow with a legacy spanning back more than 900 years, but is also a modern pub with a fine range of drinks, great food and friendly staff.
Take a walk through Ludlow and you'll find plenty of historic buildings which speak about the way the town has developed since the 11th century and how it has become a popular place for locals and tourists alike across south Shropshire.
For those exploring the narrow side streets and courtyards, they may encounter a building which has had a pub on it since 1102 and, upon entering, find themselves in Ludlow's oldest pub, the Rose & Crown.
The pub is a small slice of the Norman era in Ludlow and continues to carry much of the history while also providing modern touches as following a careful restoration by owners Joule's Brewery, it is a spacious pub but with intimate areas to relax.
The restoration uncovered a hidden fireplace and beams have been revealed which had remained hidden since the 1960’s, while the pub also has oak flooring blended with old quarry tiling and reclaimed parquet, while a panelled Mouse Room has been set up to match the brewers hall at the Joule's Brewery in Market Drayton.
Recently named as the best pub in Shropshire by the Daily Telegraph, the pub is managed by landlady Jess Weller, who took the running of the pub in 2023 after seven years of working at the pub, having started as bar staff and worked her way up at a place she said she had a lot of love for.
She said: "I took on the pub in November 2023 and have just signed a five year tenancy, having had my first year under the Darwin agreement, which is something Joules have to help first year landlords and ease them into the role.
"It's really helped me and ensured I've been able to flourish in the role and I've been here since 2016, I met my husband here and I just really wanted to take the place on when the chance can and make it sparkle.
"I absolutely adore the place and it's a big part of my family and a big part of Ludlow."
Ms Weller said the pub had a thriving live music scene, with bands and artists playing every weekend and had also tried to build its profile in the town through taking part in the food festival in the market square and touting its wares to visitors.
She said the pub was a place where a warm welcome was guaranteed, as well as a great place to drink and eat.
She said: "When you come in, you'll get smiling faces, a nice and warm fire, proper home-cooked food and a nice range of beers as we've got five different real ales on and I think we've got everything you could want from a pub.
"We're dog-friendly, family friendly and very accessible, and we try to ensure that all of our food is locally sourced, as our brewery is based in Market Drayton, and we also offer a brewery tour for people to come and see where it all comes from.
"Beer-wise, it's all Joule's on tap as the brewery is so proud of its beers and it likes to showcase what they've got on offer."
Among the Joule's range on offer includes Joule’s Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Pure Blonde and the English craft lager Green Monkey, alongside a rotating seasonal ale and cold craft beer, plus Aspall and Rekorderlig ciders, all competitively priced from £3.80 upwards.
Ms Weller said the pub was a mixture of wet-led and dry-led, saying that it can vary from weekday to weeknight, and spoke about what the best food item was on the menu.
She said: "During the week, we are usually pretty full with people eating and weekdays are very much food-led, but our weekends are more wet-led, with more people wanting a drink.
"The food we have is proper pub grub and I think the pies are our best food as we have an award-winning Slumbering Monk and steak pie, while won the Ludlow food festival pie trail last year and is something we really pride ourselves on."
Ms Weller said the Rose & Crown had become her whole life and was responsible for the family she had.
She said: "It means everything to me as I have my family, from my little ones running behind the bar and grabbing a packet of crisps, to the family I have within this pub.
"It's a real part of me and when I first walked in, I thought it was the nicest pub in town and I wondered about what would happen if I ever ran it, so I'm very pleased to be in the position I'm in now."
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