I grew up in the medieval Shropshire town that's always named best - here's three places to visit there

I will explain my point, don’t worry. Here it goes: it’s just that I feel I am almost desensitised to the image which attracts thousands of tourists to Ludlow each year, because, to me, well… it's just the place my mum went to do the weekly Tesco shop, and where I went to get a haircut. (I know, I am very fortunate, don’t yell at me).

Furthermore, just because Ludlow was recently named one of the best small town’s to visit in the UK by the online geography platform, worldatlas.com, I really don’t want this article to be just any old ‘here’s the top 3 places to visit in Ludlow’ article (at least I hope it won’t be, but you can tell me whether I have been successful in that aim).

I want to give people who have perhaps only ever been to Ludlow to visit the famed castle, or the food festival, a glimpse at what else is out there to see in the town’s beautiful medieval streets. And before people shout at me for not including something that the tourist manuals say I should, this is a purely personal selection. So leave it out…

The Castle Bookshop

Located on Castle Street under the watchful eye of the ruins of Ludlow Castle, and sitting opposite where the town’s famed market is held, the Castle Bookshop provides the visitor with an authentic alternative to the often ‘copy and paste’ style of modern book shops like Waterstones.

Owned and run by Stanton Stephens, whose family has a long history of running independent businesses in Ludlow, the shop’s shelves are packed with classic novels, poetry, biographies and books about the local area written by local authors. Stanton is often on the till, and I am sure he would be happy to discuss anything with you about his family’s history in Ludlow (if you’re friendly).

Due to its ideal location for footfall, I imagine some tourists do drop by the shop when visiting, but this place deserves more than that: it deserves to be the first place you visit on a tour of Ludlow.

On a personal note, the Castle Bookshop will always have a special place in my heart because it is the place where I bought my cherished copy of my favourite ever book, Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel Brideshead Revisited.

Mod Lang Records

Teenage me would not forgive myself if I didn’t include Mod Lang Records on this list. One of, if not the coolest places in town, the record shop transports you to a place where iPhones and social media aren’t a thing, and Donald Trump still isn’t President of the United States. (I.e., bliss).

Another independent operation, the shop is owned and run by Paul Bradshaw and has been open now for 15 years.

This place is a little harder to find than the Castle Bookshop, as it's located off Corve Street in Wood Yard. It also has rather steep stairs to climb, so keep that in mind. Nevertheless, don’t let this put you off. It’s worth the effort.

I first went to the record shop in my early teens as a young music fan who had just got into collecting records (I blame my dad). Walking into the room at the time, it was like entering Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. It’s not too dissimilar now.

With my limited funds at the time, all I could afford each week was one or two seven-inch singles (45s), which were priced at around £2 to £3 each.

As I grew older, I bought more and more LPs from Mod Lang, including The Beatles’ Abbey Road - probably one of my most overplayed records.

A trip to Ludlow without visiting Mod Lang Records is a trip wasted. You’ve got to go.

The Rose & Crown

Finally, you can’t not include a pub in this list. It would be criminal. Even if you’re not partial to an alcoholic beverage, you’d be foolish not to visit one of Ludlow’s many fantastic boozers. However, there’s only one true ‘best pub in Ludlow’, and that is the Rose & Crown on Church Street.

Owned and run by the Shropshire brewers Joule’s, the pub claims to be Ludlow’s oldest. According to Joule’s website, The Rose & Crown’s roots date back to 1102. In its back stone wall, it also has a 13th-century mullioned window with a trefoil.

The pub’s vibes, as kids say, are immaculate. And as with all Joule’s pubs, you are guaranteed a great pint in a great atmosphere.

Furthermore, if live music is your thing, the pub has a brilliant open mic night once a month. I would recommend it.

So, there you have it, folks. If you go to Ludlow, go to those three places (it’s an order). I might be biased, but I truly believe that if you visit the Castle Bookshop, Mod Lang Records, and the Rose & Crown, you might just get a bit of a taste of what life is like to be a local in Ludlow. Don’t just go to the castle, please.