The church is usually open daily throughout the year, 10am – 5pm, 11am – 5pm Sundays.

St Laurence’s Church is visited by some 90,000 people from the UK and all over the world. We have a number of helpful guide books and leaflets.

As you enter St Laurence’s Church, a steward is on hand to welcome you and tell you something about the church if you wish.

These mini-guides are also available in:

• French
• German
• Italian
• Spanish
• Japanese
• Polish
• Mandarin

A newly produced complete Guidebook in English may be purchased at the Giftshop. There are also booklets about:

• The Misericords in the Chancel
• The Snetzler Organ
• The Windows and other items of local interest
• Prince Arthur

Visiting the church is, of course, free of charge. The cost of conserving and maintaining the building is very high and we do suggest a donation of £3 per adult visitor to assist us with this.

We are grateful for all donations. You can donate by text, there are instructions elsewhere on this site and in the church.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Private group tours (minimum of 6 visitors) can be arranged to explore St Laurence’s. These tours will be led by an experienced guide and will encompass all aspects of the church building including its architecture and history. There is a charge of £5 per person for these tours which can be booked through the Parish Office by emailing  office@stlaurences.org.uk

Are you a tour company bringing a group of visitors with your own tour guide? Please note, tour companies and groups who use the church as part of their itinerary are welcome, but we do charge £4 per person in these instances, and you must pre-book your visit with us by emailing office@stlaurences.org.uk

School groups are especially welcome and no charge is made for children under 16 years of age. These visits may be led by our guides or self-guided, however, group leaders are advised to book in advance to check that the church will be available and avoid disappointment.

There is easy access for the mobility-impaired to the church building via the south porch, the main entrance off the Callens alleyway by the Buttercross at the junction of Broad Street, King Street and High Street.  Inside the building, all parts of the nave are step-free including the Shop, children’s area and Icon Coffee serving and seating areas.

Access to the chapels and chancel is limited.  There is one small step down into St John’s chapel, two steps up and down into the Lady Chapel and four steps up into the chancel.  In each case a handrail is provided.

There is a disabled-accessible toilet in the nave.

Ludlow town came into existence in about 1100, so the first church must have been built soon after this; we know that the church was rebuilt in 1199. The magnificent building, which we see today, is the result of many alterations and rebuilding during the next 300 years.

In the 14th century the North Aisle was rebuilt, the south transept and the porch were added, followed by the North transept.

Between 1433 and 1470 a massive rebuilding took place when the chancel was extended, the nave pillars and clerestory built, the whole church heightened and the tower, one of the church’s chief glories, was completed. This rebuilding gave the church its characteristically perpendicular appearance.