The Castle Hotel Shortlist*

‘We thoroughly enjoyed our stay – and our dog loved it, too.’ Teeming with pastoral character, Henry and Rebecca Hunter’s ‘well-presented’, refurbished 300-year-old hotel, built on an ancient castle bailey, is a refuge for walkers and cyclists seeking good-value Shropshire accommodation – and a fine selection of real ales to go with it. It is co-owned with Henry Hunter’s parents, who own Pen-y-Dyffryn, Oswestry (see main entry). Climb the fine Georgian staircase to reach ‘excellent’, individually designed bedrooms in a variety of sizes and styles. At lunch and dinner, enjoy chef Steve Bruce’s bistro food in the casual bar areas or, more formally, in the ‘handsome’ oak-panelled restaurant (a fresh fish menu is added on Thursday and Friday). On sunny days, step outside: the large enclosed garden has a terrace with a pergola for alfresco dining. 3 bars (open fires; traditional pub games), dining room. Garden with fish pond, patio, terrace. Free Wi-Fi, in-room TV (Freeview). In-room spa treatments. Bicycle storage, mud room. No background music. Parking. Children (extra bed £25 per night) and dogs welcomed. 12 bedrooms (2 family rooms). Per room B&B £75–£190, D,B&B £102–£245. Closed Christmas Day.