Ludlow
Like many other towns near the Welsh border, Ludlow has a medieval castle that was built to protect the area from any attack by the independent Welsh. These days the castle makes a superb backdrop for the annual Ludlow Festival. The streets are full of historic, half-timbered houses, and there is a good choice of traditional inns too.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.
