Ludlow — Richard III's Plot

Your quest begins on Mill Street, a historic starting point leading to Ludlow's medieval fortifications, dating back to the 11th century. As you walk towards Reader's House, a 17th-century timber-framed building on College Street, you admire the Elizabethan architecture that has witnessed generations of merchants and readers. This building, home to one of England's oldest independent bookstores since 1962, presents your first puzzle related to a message hidden within an ancient tome. The cobbled streets of Ludlow, a Shropshire heritage landmark, still echo with the footsteps of nobles and commoners who have traversed this historic town.

Continue your investigation up Corve Street, a cobbled thoroughfare lined with 14th-17th century half-timbered houses. Each facade could conceal a crucial clue for the Duke of York's fate. You then reach St Laurence's Church, Ludlow's main parish church, whose construction spans from the 12th to the 15th century. Its 14th-century north porch, adorned with detailed Gothic sculptures, and its 43-meter bell tower, completed around 1500, dominate the town. The interior, with its medieval stained glass and tombs of local noble families, might hold Yorkist or Lancastrian symbols to decipher.

Your route takes you to Ludford Bridge, the medieval stone bridge over the River Teme. This site was the scene of the Battle of Ludford Bridge in October 1459, where Richard Plantagenet and his son Edward were forced to flee from Lancastrian forces. Ludlow Castle was subsequently plundered by the royal army. Crossing this bridge, which connects Ludlow to Ludford, you relive key moments of the Wars of the Roses and search for traces of the Yorkists' passage as they attempted to escape their pursuers. Shropshire was a key witness to these events that shaped England.

Returning to the heart of Ludlow, you head towards Ludlow Castle, the citadel founded by the De Lacy family after the Norman conquest of 1066 and first referenced in 1137. This Historic England scheduled monument served as the seat of the Council of the Marches of Wales in 1473 and the residence of Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV, until 1483. You explore St Peter's Chapel in the outer bailey, accessible via Mortimer’s Walk, and the Great Keep Tower, whose ramparts offer stunning views of the River Teme and the town. It was through Mortimer’s Tower that Richard Plantagenet and his son Edward fled in 1459, a decisive moment in the Wars of the Roses. Your objective is to find the final clue before being discovered by the spies of Richard III, Duke of Gloucester, who would become king in 1483, after Edward V's disappearance.

The epilogue of your adventure leads you to The Buttercross, the 17th-century market hall in the center of Ludlow, once used for trading butter and dairy products. This octagonal structure with a clock, dating from around 1680, has been a focal point of Ludlow's weekly medieval market since the 13th century. It is here, amidst the bustling town, that you piece together the puzzle and uncover the truth about the plot. This Ludlow treasure hunt will have taken you through the history of Shropshire, amidst royal intrigues and the town's architectural heritage, offering a unique interactive tour to understand what to do in Ludlow and its Wars of the Roses legacy.