Heraldry Trail at Ludlow Castle

A hands on adventure for curious minds of all ages to enjoy throughout August.

Long ago, when knights were covered head to toe in armour, it wasn’t always easy to tell friend from foe. The solution? Bold, colourful coats of arms – unique designs painted on shields, banners and even horses!

Now it’s your turn to become a heraldic code-breaker…

 What’s the mission?

As you explore the castle, you’ll follow clues and solve puzzles hidden in real coats of arms. Learn how to:

Spot different colours with their secret medieval names

Decode shield positions (is it dexter or sinister?)

Identify shapes, symbols and fierce animals like lions and boars

Discover how families marked their place in history

Each challenge helps you unlock the secrets of heraldry—just like a medieval detective!

Fun for the whole family. From younger explorers to grown up sleuths, everyone can join in. Work together to hunt down the hidden shields, solving missions along the way, and celebrate as you become an official heraldry expert.

 Create your own coat of arms

When you’ve cracked the code, head over to the activity area on the first floor of the gift shop to decorate your own coat of arms. A perfect souvenir of your day at Ludlow Castle.

Available everyday from1st – 28th August.

Free of charge

(Castle admission applies)