The Castle Hotel

‘We will definitely stay again’ is the enthusiastic cry of many readers about this dog-friendly and walker-friendly hotel with views of the Shropshire hills. On the hilltop site of the town’s former Norman castle, the 18th-century hotel charms as much with its large gardens and doggie treats as its ‘uneven floors’ and ‘friendly staff’. ‘Very comfy’ bedrooms have quirky shapes, breezy colours and modern furniture; even the smallest have a couple of upholstered chairs. All have views over town and countryside; the cosier top-floor rooms, with sloping ceilings and exposed beams, have the best. Fresh bottled water delighted one guest as did ‘the flask to take out with you’. A generous menu ranges from classic fish and chips, and beef and Stilton pie to vegetable tagine and slow-cooked belly pork. Eat in one of the small bars with stripped-wood floors and wood-burning stove, or in the smarter dining room. An ‘excellent’ breakfast includes omelettes, pancakes and a full grill served with an information sheet of suggestions of walks and drives. One couple were so taken with the hotel, they stayed an extra night. (BR, and others)