Ludlow Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms sit bang in the middle of Ludlow's Georgian heart, a proper working theatre that's been the town's cultural hub since the 18th century. It's not a museum piece - this is where local theatre groups stage their productions, where touring companies bring in everything from classical drama to contemporary comedy. The building itself is lovely, all red brick and period detail, the kind of place that feels lived-in rather than preserved.

What you're actually doing here depends on what's on. Check the website before you visit because the appeal is entirely about catching a show. If there's nothing scheduled, it's just a nice exterior to photograph while you're wandering Ludlow's market square. But if you time it right - a play, a concert, a film screening - you're in for an intimate evening in a space that's got proper character. The locals pack it out, which tells you something.

It works brilliantly as an evening activity if you're camped at Ludlow Touring & Holiday Home Park just down the road, or even from further afield like Monstay Farm or Woodland Escapes. You could easily pair an Assembly Rooms show with an afternoon exploring Ludlow Castle or wandering the independent shops along King Street. The Shropshire market town is worth a couple of days anyway, and having a decent theatre means you're not limited to fish and chips for your entertainment.

Check their programme online and book ahead - it's popular, and seats aren't plentiful.