Shropshire Star
Close

Ludlow retro: 31 pictures across the historic south Shropshire town - from high street elephants to lost buildings

Step back in time with us as we explore Ludlow through the decades.

Plus
By Tania Taylor
Published

From historic street scenes and buildings, some long gone - and even elephants parading down the High Street - to the occasional familiar face, these images from the Shropshire Star archive offer a fascinating glimpse of the town’s past, deliberately mixed up to keep you guessing.

nostalgia pic. Ludlow. The Bull Ring and Corve Street, Ludlow, with the King's Arms and The Feathers Hotel on the right - Feathers is a famous black and white timbered building. Date: 1910. Credit: Shropshire Records and Research Centre. NOT AVAILABLE FOR ORDER. REFER ORDERS TO SRRC. Ludlow street scene, general view, showing The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow, centre right. Library code: Ludlow nostalgia 2000.
The Bull Ring and Corve Street, Ludlow, with the King's Arms and The Feathers Hotel on the right - Feathers is a famous black and white timbered building. Picture: Shropshire Records and Research Centre
Ludlow railway station in the 1960s
Ludlow railway station in the 1960s
August 27, 1957: 'The peaceful scene of 16th century Ludford House, Ludlow, will be interrupted tomorrow and Thursday, when antique collectors and dealers from all over the country will gather there for the two-day sale of the furnishings. The home of the late Mr Henry Whitaker, a former High Sheriff of Shropshire, the entire estate has been sold to a property company. It is expected that the estate will be divided and resold in the late autumn.'
August 27, 1957: 'The peaceful scene of 16th century Ludford House, Ludlow, will be interrupted tomorrow and Thursday, when antique collectors and dealers from all over the country will gather there for the two-day sale of the furnishings. The home of the late Mr Henry Whitaker, a former High Sheriff of Shropshire, the entire estate has been sold to a property company. It is expected that the estate will be divided and resold in the late autumn.'
SCAN... . Loaded from Photographic:To be Jpeged: on 251099.. nostalgia pic. Ludlow. DINHAM SWIMMING POOL POSS 1950LUDLOW BRIDGE OVER RiVER TEME. Dinham Bridge at LudlowBLACK AND WHITE ONLY.Library code: Ludlow nostalgia 1999.Bridges.USED LETTS LETTERS JUL 6 2022
Ludlow Bridge over the River Teme. Undated
Ludlow Hospital Service on October 16, 1966, with Ludlow Town Hall and Ludlow Castle in the background. Picture by Richard Brock
Ludlow Hospital Service on October 16, 1966, with Ludlow Town Hall and Ludlow Castle in the background. Picture by Richard Brock
May 16, 1986 - the new look for Ludlow's open air market on the town hall site. The story starts: 'The threat of legal action by Ludlow market traders over the move to an open air site has receded now that the stalls have been set up in their new home. South Shropshire District Council went into private session to consider the market saga after receiving a letter from the national Market Traders' Federation warning of possible litigation.' The site was where Ludlow Town Hall stood, but was demolished only a few months beforehand
May 16, 1986 - the new look for Ludlow's open air market on the town hall site. The story starts: 'The threat of legal action by Ludlow market traders over the move to an open air site has receded now that the stalls have been set up in their new home. South Shropshire District Council went into private session to consider the market saga after receiving a letter from the national Market Traders' Federation warning of possible litigation.' The site was where Ludlow Town Hall stood, but was demolished only a few months beforehand
The caption reads: 'Trying out a few bars beneath the girdered framework of the octagonal music room being built at Ludlow School are 14-year-olds Angela Morley and Sarah Cheadle. The room is due to be completed by September 1978.'
The caption reads: 'Trying out a few bars beneath the girdered framework of the octagonal music room being built at Ludlow School are 14-year-olds Angela Morley and Sarah Cheadle. The room is due to be completed by September 1978.'
Ludlow. Drew's Court, Ludlow. This picture is used in the book How The Other Half Lived by Derek Beattie of Ludlow. The book caption describes this as Drew's Court just before World War One. 'It was entered by the side of 119 Corve Street that in 1881 was the home of Mary Drew, a dressmaker...' The caption says that the structures on the wall on the right are pigeon coops, and these properties now lie underneath Tesco. The picture is credited in the book to Lottie James
Ludlow. Drew's Court, Ludlow. This picture is used in the book How The Other Half Lived by Derek Beattie of Ludlow. The book caption describes this as Drew's Court just before World War One. 'It was entered by the side of 119 Corve Street that in 1881 was the home of Mary Drew, a dressmaker...' The caption says that the structures on the wall on the right are pigeon coops, and these properties now lie underneath Tesco. The picture is credited in the book to Lottie James
Mr Barry Willis outside the old Clifton Cinema, aka Essoldo Bingo, in Old Street, Ludlow. They were the Clifton Buildings. Incidentally the Shropshire Star used to be housed in the part of the buildings on the left with the big window. This picture accompanied a story used on December 8, 1986, in which Mr Willis, owner of the Majestic Cinema in Bridgnorth, was trying to save the old cinema and restore it to its former glory. In the event the buildings were demolished
Mr Barry Willis outside the old Clifton Cinema, aka Essoldo Bingo, in Old Street, Ludlow. They were the Clifton Buildings. Incidentally the Shropshire Star used to be housed in the part of the buildings on the left with the big window. This picture accompanied a story used on December 8, 1986, in which Mr Willis, owner of the Majestic Cinema in Bridgnorth, was trying to save the old cinema and restore it to its former glory. In the event the buildings were demolished
Ludlow's Broad Street in the 1980s. This was shared by Peter Bartlett
Ludlow's Broad Street in the 1980s. This was shared by Peter Bartlett