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St Laurence's Church, Ludlow

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Details

Accessibility

The visitor entrance/exit to St Laurence's via its south porch is wheelchair-accessible.
The main body of the church is largely wheelchair and disabled-accessible, with the exception of the Church Bell Tower which has step-access only (eg. 201-step spiral staircase. The Tower is 135 feet / 41 metres high).
There are some steps and uneven surfaces within the Church.
Free visitor information leaflets, available in English; also available in German, French, Polish, Japanese, Italian and Spanish languages.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the church. St Laurence's also offers a free 45 minutes' long Guided tour of the church on most Saturdays at 2.30 pm (mid- April to mid-November inclusive). Private tours can also be arranged - please contact the Church Office to discuss availability and any special arrangements.
'Virtual Augmented Reality' screens are situated at points of interest in St Laurence's to bring its history 'to life' for visitors, featuring the historical characters of ' St Laurence', 'Sir Roger Mortimer of the Great West Window' and the 'Misericords'.
An Audio Tour Guide App is also available for download by Visitors.

Brief description

St Laurence's Church of England Parish Church, Ludlow is one of Shropshire's largest parish churches, in the diocese of Hereford. A Grade 1- Listed building, known as the 'Cathedral of the Marches' , St Laurence's Church dates back to the 12th century, to the establishment of the town of Ludlow. Over the centuries, the church has undergone a series of additions and alterations up to the present day, including by the celebrated Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. St Laurence's has many beautiful and interesting historical features, including:

over 25 magnificent stained glass windows
the Church Bell Tower which has 13 bells (10 ' of these form a ten bell ring and the remaining 3 are 'dead' bells to make up the 13 bells for the Church's 'Carillon' ( the 'Carillon' is one of the last working examples of its type in Britain; it's mechanically-operated hammers strike the outside of the bells as part of the carillon which plays a different tune on the bells each day of the week, 4 x per day).
the magnificent 'Sneltzur' Church Organ - considered to be one of the finest church organs in Britain.
one of the largest collections in English parish churches of carved, medieval 'Misericords' (elaborate carvings under the seats of the church's choir stalls)
Parish War memorial situated in the south porch of the Church's main visitor entrance/exit.

As a local Parish Church, St Laurence's also plays an active spiritual, pastoral and social role in its local community; holding church services and has its own choir, church bell ringing and hand-bell ringing groups, and also hosts concerts by Ludlow Choral Society and Ludlow Orchestra. *

(* As at May 2021, the church's services and opening times currently are subject to the Government's National COVID-19 Restrictions: for latest news and updates, see the Church's website before planning to visit).

Address

2 College Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AN

Email

office@stlaurences.org.uk

Phone

Church Office - tel: 01584 872073

Website

Church Website: St Laurence (stlaurences.org.uk)

The website of the Palmer's Conservation Trust for St. Laurence's also has a wealth of fascinating and more detailed information relating to the history of St Laurence's and its artefacts.

Directions

St Laurence's Church is situated in Ludlow town centre off the B4361 and junction of King Street; near to Ludlow Market. Ludlow is 11.6 miles from Leominster(via A49, B4361); 28.2 miles from Shrewsbury (via A49); 23.6 miles from Hereford (via A49).

Transport

By Rail: Ludlow Train Station is approximately half a mile from St Laurence's Church. Ludlow Station is operated by 'Transport for Wales' on the Welsh Marches Line between Shrewsbury and Hereford. Step-free access is available to platform 1 (to Shrewsbury) from the station car park. Platform 2 (to Hereford) is accessed via a footbridge with steps or a long steep footpath from the station forecourt to a path leading through a tunnel under the railway line , then to an accessible ramped pathway to/from Platform 2. Ludlow Station has no platform staff or wheelchairs available. Ticket Office with height-adjusted accessible counter and hearing loop available. No toilets or waiting room. Refreshments are available. The nearest Train Station with more facilities available is Leominster ( 11.6 miles).

By Bus: Nearest bus stops to St Laurence's Church are near:

the Compasses Inn, Corve Street, Ludlow - 0.2 miles/4 minutes walk (bus services: 745 (Pontesbury-Ludlow), 740 (Knighton - Ludlow), 435 (Shrewsbury - Craven Arms - Ludlow via A49) , 490 (Leominster - Ludlow via A49)
the Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow - 0.1 miles/2 minutes walk (bus service: 490 (Ludlow - Leominster via A49).

Opening Times

NOTE: As at May 2021, the UK Government's National COVID-19 Restrictions are still applicable to some activities - visitors are therefore advised to check with St Laurence's website for up-to-date information including opening times and admission before travelling.

St Laurence's Church is usually open daily . Admission is free (Donations are very welcome to assist with the high costs of conserving and maintaining the building - recommended donation suggested is £3 per visitor).

A ' Conquer the Tower' tour is also available ( £5 - adults; £3 - children aged 8 and over). This tour involves climbing the 201 steps of St. Laurence's spiral stone staircase to the top of its church tower - not wheelchair-accessible. No lift available.. For further information: Conquer the Tower – St Laurence (stlaurences.org.uk)

Amenities

Disability accessible visitor Toilet which includes baby changing facilities (located in the North Door Porchway).
Church Gift and Book Shop
No parking is available at St Laurence's

Nearest public parking at:

Castle St Public Car Park (behind Ludlow Market - 0.1 miles away/2 minutes' walk) - 135 parking spaces including 6 disabled parking bays. Pay and Display - Charges applicable to 'Blue Badge' Holders.
Smithfield Public Car Park, Lower Galdeford, Ludlow (0.4 miles away/7 minutes' walk) - 100 parking spaces including 1 disabled parking bay. Pay and Display - Charges applicable to 'Blue Badge' Holders.
Ludlow Galdeford Public Car Park - Upper Galdeford, Ludlow ( 0.2 miles away/ 5 minutes' walk) - Zone A has 120 parking spaces including 9 disabled parking bays. Zone B has 177 parking spaces including 6 disabled parking bays. Pay and Display - including for 'Blue Badge' Holders.

Additional public toilets are to be found at:

Castle St Public Car Park (behind Ludlow Market - 0.1 miles away/ 2 minutes' walk) - radar key operated disabled toilet. Baby-changing facilities also available)
Ludlow Guildhall , Mill Street (0.2 miles away /approx. 3 minutes' walk) - unisex toilet.
Smithfield Public Car Park ,Lower Galdeford, Ludlow (0.4 miles away/7 minutes' walk) - radar key operated disabled toilet)
for additional information and other locations in Ludlow, see: Public Toilets (ludlow.gov.

Refreshment Facilities and Visitors' Accommodation are available near St. Laurence's Church in Ludlow - see: Where to Eat, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes in Ludlow.

Travel Information

For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info

Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
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