Ludlow is a market town in the English county of Shropshire. It lies approximately 28 miles (45 km) south of Shrewsbury and 23 miles (37 kilometres) north of Hereford using the main A49 road, which bypasses the town. According to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 10266 people. This makes Ludlow the largest town in south Shropshire. The town is significant in the history of the Welsh Marches and neighbouring Wales. The town is in close proximity to the convergence of the rivers Corve and Teme. The oldest part is the middle ages walled town, founded in the late 11th century after the Norman conquest of England. It is centred around a little hill which is on the eastern edge of a bend of the River Teme. Atop this hill is Ludlow Castle and the parish church, St Laurence's, the largest in the county. From there, the streets slope downward to the River Teme, and northward toward the River Corve. The town is in a sheltered location below Mortimer Forest and the Clee Hills, which are clearly visible from the town. Ludlow is home to about 500 listed structures. They include some exceptional examples of medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered structures consisting of the Feathers Hotel. The town was detailed by Sir John Betjeman as 'probably the loveliest town in England'. By the late 20th century, the town had actually seen a progression in tourism, triggering the look of many antique dealerships, together with art dealerships and independent bookshops. Bodenhams, a clothing retailer, has actually been trading from a 600-year-old timbered building since 1860 and it is among the oldest shops in Britain. For all your home refurbishments, make sure to identify reliable contractors in Ludlow to make certain of quality.