Ludlow Touring Park: Thoughtful Expansion in a Rural Setting
Ludlow Touring Park: Thoughtful Expansion in a Rural Setting
HPA Architects are pleased to share the successful progression of proposals for the extension of Ludlow Touring and Holiday Home Park, a much‑loved five‑star leisure destination operated by Morris Leisure, located just outside the historic market town of Ludlow, Shropshire.
Originally designed by HPA Architects and opened in 2012, the park has gone from strength to strength. Now comprising 115 touring pitches alongside high‑quality static holiday homes and shared facilities, Ludlow Touring Park has gained regional recognition and a strong, loyal visitor base. Continued demand for holiday lodges has led Morris Leisure to explore opportunities for a carefully considered and landscape‑led expansion of the site.
HPA Architects have worked with Morris Leisure for over 30 years and have been involved in the design and delivery of all six of their touring caravan sites across North Wales, Shropshire and Herefordshire. At Ludlow, HPA acted as Architect from initial concept and site design through planning and on to construction drawings, continuing a long‑standing collaborative relationship.
Supporting Sustainable Growth
The approved proposals provide for 56 additional static holiday home pitches within an adjoining field to the north‑west of the existing touring park. Importantly, the extension has been planned to be delivered in phases, allowing growth to respond directly to demand rather than being developed all at once.
From the outset, the design approach focused on ensuring that the expansion enhances the park without altering its established character. Set within open countryside and framed by agricultural land, the site enjoys long views across the River Teme valley. Retaining a sense of openness, rural calm, and connection to the wider landscape was central to the masterplanning process.
Landscape‑Led and Visitor‑Focused Design
The new pitches are arranged along a gentle loop road, creating a clear and intuitive layout while keeping infrastructure simple and unobtrusive. Lodges are set back from site boundaries to allow for generous planting and landscape buffers, ensuring the extension integrates seamlessly into its rural surroundings.
A central landscaped green sits at the heart of the layout, providing a shared amenity space and reinforcing a sense of community within the park. The lower eastern slope has been identified as an opportunity for wildflower meadow planting, enhancing biodiversity while adding seasonal colour and visual interest.
External lighting has been carefully considered to protect the site’s dark rural skies. A low‑level, low‑energy lighting strategy provides safe wayfinding while avoiding glare or light spill, with all fittings designed to direct light downwards and minimise visual impact.
Well Connected and Easy to Access
Accessibility remains one of Ludlow Touring Park’s key strengths, and the extension builds on this. The proposals utilise existing site access arrangements, avoiding unnecessary changes to the wider highway network. Each pitch is provided with on‑site parking, supporting safe and convenient movement throughout the park.
A clear pedestrian route connects the new pitches back to the existing facilities. With Ludlow town centre within walking distance and a regular bus service stopping at the site entrance, the park continues to promote sustainable travel choices to the historic town that are already popular with visitors.
Delivering a Robust and Coordinated Scheme
Alongside the masterplanning and architectural design, HPA Architects prepared and submitted planning drawings, two applications for the discharge of planning conditions, and an Ordinary Watercourse Consent application to facilitate the enlargement of an existing culvert. The project was supported by a skilled consultant team including Leith Planning as planning consultant, PCS Engineers as civil and highways engineers, Oxford Archaeology North, Yew Tree Gardens and Turnstone Ecology.
A Positive Step Forward
The Ludlow Touring Park extension demonstrates how leisure developments can expand organically and responsibly, responding to market demand while remaining firmly rooted in their landscape context. The proposals support the long‑term success of the park, enhance visitor experience and protect the character of the surrounding countryside.
HPA Architects are delighted to continue their long‑standing relationship with Morris Leisure, supporting the next chapter in the evolution of one of the region’s most successful touring and holiday home destinations. Discover more about our projects in the hospitality sector here.
