With the recent good weather I have been trying to get out for a daily walk. Last Sunday we set off towards Priors Halton farm, about a mile or so outside of Ludlow. It is one of the few flattish walks around here, as Ludlow is surrounded by hills.
Most walks in and around Ludlow begin with crossing a bridge. This time Dinham, with a glance at ‘Ludlow Beach’, as locals name the area on the Teme where it is often safe to paddle. Repairs are being made to the weir (including a by-pass to allow salmon moving 50 miles upstream to spawn an easier way through the river ) has meant changes to the ‘beach’ too. And today there are many more youths than usual. It is a hot day, though they are a bit big to swim in the extremely shallow waters – amazing to think how high the water level was only a couple of months ago.
Instead of heading left along the Bread Walk or ahead up the Donkey Steps onto Whitcliffe Common, today we are continuing along the road towards Priors Halton. The road ends at Priors Halton farm, but you can continue on foot or bicycle to Lady Halton or Oakly Park and even Bromfield where you will find Ludlow Food Centre, a café and restaurant.
Lots of wild flowers in the hedgerow hidden amongst the clouds of cow parsley and May trees are flowering.
Look back and you’ll be rewarded with a dramatic view of the castle in its commanding position, chosen by Norman builder, Roger de Lacy in 1085.
It’s amazing that only half a mile away from the town you feel deep in the heart of English countryside. The only sound is that of birds…
and sheep bleating…
At the farm we decided to return to Ludlow via one of the public footpaths, thus shortening the walk to around 3 miles instead of a 5 mile loop.
A public footpath which during this dry weather, is easy to walk on. This is not always the case as, unlike the lane, this route is unpaved and gets very churned up and muddy.
Another public footpath leads to Lady Halton alongside the farmer’s field, but we’ll continue along this track today, heading towards Mortimer Forest. It is slightly uphill but a gentle climb.
The views are good now that we are out of the high hedgerows. Look back towards Priors Halton and you can see the farmhouse and also the south Shropshire hills in the background.
We reach Middle Wood Road and turn left back to Ludlow.
Watch out for speeding cyclists!
It is lovely and shady along this road as we walk along the edge of the woodland. Ludlow can be seen in the distance, crouching beneath Titterstone Clee Hill, which is about seven miles distant.
And we are accompanied by orange-tipped butterflies flitting along the hedge, but never stopping for a photograph. Bluebells can be spotted up in the woodland, cow parsley appears again
and we did get a shot of this little fellow, who may be a Wood White butterfly and some lovely new ferns.
Finally we reach Lower Road and Whitcliffe Common, where we found a bench to rest and enjoy the view of Ludow and the castle where a couple are enjoying their view from the bench next to the archway, which I mentioned on my Castle Walk.
If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Aw, the bluebells… so pretty 🙂
They are lovely this year, but always so difficult to capture that ‘carpet’ of blue.
Mission accomplished, methinks 😉
Thank you :blush:
I am breathless. Gorgeous photos. Stunning day for a walk. I feel I was right behind you. ~(*_~)~~ I don’t go out for a walk enough. Thanks.
This was a nice gentle walk, one I should do more often too, as it is really lovely out there in the countryside surrounded by wonderful vistas.Nice to have you along 🙂
I was as quiet as I a mouse. 🙂
Great greens and lovely light on a sunny Shropshire day. Makes you glad to live in England. (Unlike today; drizzly, dark, damp, and muddy!)
Regards as always, Pete. x
Damp and grey here today too, though I did see the sun earlier. Saving my energy now for the Lakes next week, plus I have a ton of things to do before we go away. Cross fingers for a heatwave over the next fortnight 😀
I love the sheep Jude and the photo of the butterfly is wonderful with the light behind the wings. Lovely walk.
Those two were so delightful, posing for the camera. The lambs are nearly as big as their moms now! Glad you enjoyed the walk Sue 🙂
Lovely, peaceful, pastoral walk…and all without leaving my chair!
Not such good weather today though 😦
Not here, either… 😦
I feel quite refreshed after that, Jude. 🙂 Nothing like an evening stroll to settle the digestion (except I usually eat too much to get up off my butt!) I love all the wild flowers in the hedgerows, and don’t you just love a road where the trees meet overhead like that? 🙂
Many thanks for your company. Enjoy the Lakes!
Thanks Jo! I’ll try to get a few walks in for you as long as it isn’t tipping it down!
Otherwise it’s the cosy pub 🙂 Have one for me!
…and lots of books to read 🙂
That’s what I do in Tavira- no laptop! Well, when I’m not ambling about, that is 🙂
What stunning photos – how I’d love to live in the country!
It’s my first visit to your blog, but I’m so glad I found it. I love the way you’ve put the name of some of the flowers on your photos – really interesting. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts! Emma 🙂
Hi Emma of south London, or is that Emma South of London? Thank you for stopping by and following me, I hope you will enjoy my posts. If you like flowers and gardens then you might enjoy my flower blog: http://smallbluegreenflowers.wordpress.com/
Jude xx
Hi Jude – it’s Emma of South London!
Thanks for the suggestion – I’ll have a look at your blog later. E 🙂
A daily walk is a great thing especially with a view like that! WOW!
Just wish we had better weather! So often it is raining and that’s not fun to walk in, or take photos…
I draw the line at rain : )
What a glorious walk this was Jude, the countryside is spectacular and you would have thought this was one of those idyllic English summer days. We had that a couple of weekend ago but very gloomy since…hope we get more sunshine soon 😀
Your photos really are beautiful and do your area justice, so much so that I really want to come to Shropshire and explore…I’ll let you know and you can put the kettle on (or get the wine glasses out, whichever 😉 ) xx
Perhaps that was summer? I hope not! And if you ever get up here then I’ll happily get the wine glasses out 😀
Let’s hope not…but keep those wine glasses handy… 😀
It’s a gorgeous little town and everything is sooo green. What an amazing sequence of photos too – it almost felt like I was on the walk too 🙂
Good – that is what I was aiming for – now go and get a glass of wine 🙂
Already poured 🙂
I like your style 😀