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WELCOME!
The continuing realignment between the Pound and the Euro makes this a most attractive opportunity for a short visit to Great Britain.
The events will be located in Herefordshire, 3 hours to the north west of London, on the England-Wales border. The host region is a popular holiday destination and there will be plenty to do and see before, during and after the competition
We are taking expressions of interest and even entries. Please register your interest now with the organiser at
The Competitions
Days 1 and 2 will be hosted in conjunction with the "Springtime in Shropshire" orienteering event (www.sins.org.uk). Day 3 will be independently organised.
Day 1 - 28th May - Brampton Bryan - 2m
This is the venue used in 2007 - it is M3WDD's favourite forest in Herefordshire
"Brampton Bryan Park lies on Pedwardine Hill, which at its highest point is over 300 metres above sea level. It has national importance as a wood pasture, ranking alongside sites such as the New Forest, Windsor Great Park and Sherwood Forest. The trees in the park are predominantly oaks, with some beech, ash and small-leaved lime. On the steeper slopes are areas of scattered scrub composed mainly of hawthorn, elder, silver birch and rowan. On the southern edge of the Park is an area of acidic dwarf-shrub heath, dominated by heather with bilberry, western gorse, and hairgrass."
Day 1 - Evening - Sprint Race - 80m
A 5 or 6 Tx demonstration activity/race for orienteers and ARDFers staying at the camp site. A full ARDF sprint is, sadly, not practical.
Day 2 - 29th May - Mortimer Forest - 80m
This is a new area for ARDF
"Mortimer Forest is a remnant of the ancient Saxon hunting forests of Mocktree, Deerfold and Bringewood strongly influenced this forest. It was these woods that provided the huge quantity of firewood needed to warm the inhabitants of Ludlow Castle. The landscape of the forest is dominated by limestone ridges. The sometimes steep slopes and moderate height of the forest provides magnificent views in clear weather."
Day 3 - 30th May - Brockhampton - 80m Fox-Oring
The childhood home of Robert G3ORI and now a national trust property. A mixture of mature woodland and open park with deep steam valleys. Check the National Trust Brockhampton Website for more information,
The competition areas are all within 20km of Ludlow in the beautiful Shropshire Hills, a touristic region, on the Welsh border, 80km to the the west of Birmingham and close to the UNESCO world heritage site at Ironbridge
Ludlow is an a lively market town with fascinating architecture, a reputation for excellent food and drink and was described by the poet Sir John Betjeman as "The most perfect town in England"
Springtime is the best time to visit this area - especially as the bluebells should be in flower
 | There are just fifteen (15!) regular ARDF-ers in England and only two of these live within 150km of Ludlow. So in order make organisation practical the event will be in association with 'Springtime in Shropshire' - a 'holiday' orienteering festival. There will be over 1000 orienteers competing. All necessary facilites be provided at the competition sites and a full programme of entertainment will take place in Ludlow each evening. |
The Orienteering website is here. This gives full details of the orienteering competitions and other arrangements
Travel!
By road Ludlow is 230km (3.5hr+) from London Heathrow (LHR) and 90km (80 min) from Birmingham (BHX) and 150km (2.5hr+) from Liverpool Airport.
By rail Ludlow is 3.5hr from London and 2 hours from Manchester.
There are also bus and coach services.
Note that this is a national holiday weekend and roads will be busy!
Use the UK Transport Planner or the local bus planner to check out possibilites.
The three competition areas are within 30km of Ludlow.
| As is standard practice in the UK competitors will be responsible for their own transport Travel to and from the Forests Given prior notice we may be able to organise transport to and from the competition forests. This is not guaranteed. Please contact the organiser to discuss well in advance of the event. Day 2 is within walking distance of Ludlow. Travel to and from the Ludlow It might be possible to arrange a lift from airports and railway stations for a limited number of overseas competitors. This is not guaranteed. Please contact the organiser to discuss well in advance of the event. |
Accommodation!
There are plenty of hotels and "Bed & Breakfast" guest houses close to Ludlow - but as the competition is taking place over a national holiday weekend it is sensible to BOOK EARLY! There is a campsite associated with the orienteering competition also open to ARDF competitors
There are special arrangements for ARDF competitors - as it is not possible for use to use the orienteering entry system to make a booking - check the SARDFF camping page.
There are special arrangements for ARDF competitors - as it is not possible for use to use the orienteering entry system to make a booking - check the SARDFF camping page.
| As is standard GB practise competitors will be responsible for their own accomodation arrangements - either direct through the orienteering website (camping) or personally by email or phone through the tourist bed booking services or directly with local hotels and guest houses. Contact Ludlow Tourist Info and Shropshire Tourist Info for assistance. |
Entry Fees
The entry fee will be GBP 10 (£) per person per day (GBP 27 (£) for all three days).
At this rate we will be able to make a suitable contribution to the orienteering clubs to cover maps, mapping, land access fees, toilets and other facilites and just break even.
There may be a small fee for car parking
Entry fees will be payable, in Cash (GBP) upon arrival on Day 1
At this rate we will be able to make a suitable contribution to the orienteering clubs to cover maps, mapping, land access fees, toilets and other facilites and just break even.
There may be a small fee for car parking
Entry fees will be payable, in Cash (GBP) upon arrival on Day 1
Weather (Information For Overseas Competitors)
The weather in May can vary between 25 degrees, dead calm and sun (hooray!) and 6 degrees, rain, sleet, hail and gale force winds (boo!).
While we hope for the former the latter occurred on day 2 in 2007 - causing some competitors to abandon - and missing the lovely warm sun on day 3. The organiser has run at SINS since 1983 - normally it is warm and sunny but please come prepared!
Celebration Meal & Prizegiving
Ludlow is the rural food capital of the UK - with no fewer than 7 Michelin Restaurants. We have booked a non-Michelin restaurant for the Sunday Night. Please note this is meal and prizegiving - not a hamfest - no need to dress up! We have places for 20. Arrival at 19:30
| The Ego Cafe Bar Quality Square Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1AR |  |
Small print
In the case of cancellation or curtailment of the competition the organisers accept no liability for competitors personal committed or incurred costs. We reserve the right to retain all or part of any entry fee or other monies paid to cover organisers costs, in the case where these costs cannot be recovered.
Contact
The organiser can be contacted by email using...
Please send an email - to register your interest and to ask any questions that you may have.
