General Information Ludlow, with its beautifully preserved black-and-white half-timbered buildings clustered beneath a huge castle, is one of the most picturesque towns in England. The castle was a stronghold of the Mortimer’s, powerful Marcher Lords who were given vast estates along the Marches or Border Country of England and Wales by William the Conquer in return for guarding the frontier. Beginning at Ludlow the ‘Capital of the Marches’, the Mortimer Trail crosses the peaceful unspoilt hills and valleys of the Marches to the Saxon town of Kington on Offa’s Dyke, which marked the border with Wales in Medieval times. Delightful little villages, ruined castles, medieval battle sites, Iron Age hillforts, glorious views stretching from the Black Mountains of Wales to the majestic Malvern Hills and a wide variety of wildlife including fallow deer, kingfisher, buzzard, woodpecker, dipper and skylarks add to the interest of this splendid walk.
Travel Information Total distance: 30 miles (48km) Duration: 4 nights, 3 days walking Minimum/maximum daily distances: 8 miles (13km)/11½ miles (18.5km) Waymarking: The trail is clearly waymarked with discs bearing the Mortimer’s Coat of Arms. Season: All year Starting point of holiday: Ludlow End of holiday: Kington Most convenient major city and International airport: Birmingham International Airport. Approximately 2 ½ hours to Ludlow Railway Station. Outward journey from London to Ludlow: Train from London Paddington to Ludlow (3 hours 15 minutes). Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: Bus or taxi from Kington to Knighton. Train from Knighton to London (approximately 4 hours). Return journey to Birmingham International Airport at the end of the holiday: Bus or taxi from Kington to Knighton, train from Knighton to Birmingham International (2 hours).
Outline Itinerary Day 1: Travel to Ludlow where your first night’s accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Ludlow to Orleton Common. 8 miles (13.5 km)
Day 3: Orleton Common to Byton. 11½ miles (18.5km)
Day 4: Byton to Kington. 10½ miles (17 km)
Day 5: Depart from Kington after breakfast
Accommodation & Meals 4 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms with private bathrooms (where available) in selected hotels, inns, and guesthouses. Traditional English breakfast
What’s Included Door to door luggage transfer. Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook describing the trail An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night, town plans, information about facilities and places of interest along the trail and a kit list. Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it. Emergency assistance.
