The Castle Hotel

Walkers and those with four-legged friends are among the happy customers of the ‘ultimate dog-friendly hotel’ built on the ruins of a hilltop Norman castle with views to the south Shropshire hills. A sister to Pen-y-Dyffryn, Oswestry (see entry), it is run by Henry Hunter and is ‘superb’. ‘The building was quirky with its uneven floors, but the decor was lovely.’ ‘We revelled in the historic surroundings and warm welcome.’ Bedrooms mix original features with contemporary furnishings; a master double has an in-room, claw-footed bath. One reader, though, points out that bedside lights are ‘too dim’. The self-catering Elephant Gate House is not a nod to former landlord Clive of India but to its stint as a refuge for homeless circus elephants in the war. Dogs stay for free and can join their owners if they eat in one of three bars, or on a vine-covered terrace. In the panelled dining room Steve Bruce’s daily menus run the gamut of pub classics and fancier fare, with vegan options. A ‘magnificent’ breakfast features kippers, and the full Shropshire – plus sausages for Fido. (Brian Robinson, Tracey Brydges, Ian Nuttall, and others)