Getting to the Welsh Marches

The Welsh Marches cover a large area, making it impossible to outline every possible journey. The region is rustic and rural, so hiring a car is often the most convenient way to get around. However, there are local transportation options available, and we can recommend people who provide transportation services, local knowledge, and guided assistance to enhance your visit. For those who prefer public transport, Shropshire boasts 19 National Rail stations on various railway lines, including Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Telford Central, Wellington, Cosford, and Whitchurch.

The major destination towns in the area are Ludlow, Hereford, and Shrewsbury, all of which have train stations. These towns are connected by the Welsh Marches Line, a rail line linking the region.

To/From Ludlow

The Welsh Marches Line provides a comfortable way to reach Ludlow, with connections from:

• The North: Crewe and Manchester.

• The Midlands: Shrewsbury (and the Cambrian Line).

• South Wales and London: Newport (with onward connections to Cardiff, London, and Bristol).

Ludlow is approximately 130 miles from Heathrow Airport, about a 3-hour drive.

To/From Hereford

Direct trains to Hereford operate daily from:

• Birmingham New Street Station: Journey time is approximately 1½ hours, with connections to Birmingham International Airport.

• Manchester and Cardiff: The regular Manchester-Cardiff service stops at Hereford.

• London Paddington: Direct services take about 3 hours.

Hereford is roughly 120 miles from Heathrow Airport. National Express coaches also run from London Victoria and Birmingham to Hereford.

To/From Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury offers a regular hourly train service to Birmingham, with connections to London.

Shrewsbury has National Express coach services from London Victoria. Locally, a comprehensive bus network connects towns and villages across the county. During the summer, special shuttle buses link many of South Shropshire’s popular tourist attractions.

The Heart Of Wales Line

The Heart of Wales Line is a spectacular 121 mile rural railway between Swansea and Shrewsbury via the rural uplands of Carmarthenshire, Powys and Shropshire. The seven days/week train service is operated by Transport for Wales.