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Old Downton Lodge

Ludlow, Shropshire

Hidden away down a ‘long winding track’, Pippa and Willem Vlok’s restaurant-with-rooms has a secluded, ‘away from it all’ feel. More

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Good Hotel Guide Review

Hidden away down a ‘long winding track’, Pippa and Willem Vlok’s restaurant-with-rooms has a secluded, ‘away from it all’ feel. This ‘friendly and efficient’ establishment is set in converted farm buildings, some medieval in origin, and arranged around a courtyard garden. Individually decorated bedrooms are ‘lovely and comfortable’, some have a modern four-poster bed; all have a state-of-the-art bathroom. The dining room, with exposed stone walls and timbered vaulted ceiling, is impressive. Food equally so, created from Shropshire’s natural larder by new chef Nick Bennett. The market menu might include sea bass with octopus, piquillo and garlic, and plum panna cotta to finish. Bennett, who was a MasterChef Professionals finalist, also offers a six-course tasting menu. Arriving late, one trusted reviewer enjoyed a ‘cheeseboard of Shropshire specialities’ and an ‘excellent’ bottle of wine in the ‘relaxing’ lounge bar. Breakfast is also ‘first class’. The hotel is minutes from foodie haven Ludlow, ideal for exploring the blue remembered hills of Shropshire. (Lindsay Hunt and John Fisher, I and FW, PC, and others)

Hotel details

Address

Downton on the Rock
Ludlow
Shropshire
SY8 2HU
England

Telephone

01568 771826

Bedrooms

10. In buildings round courtyard.

Open

all year, except Christmas, afternoon tea Tues–Sat 3–5 pm, restaurant closed for lunch Mon–Wed and for dinner Sun, Mon.

Facilities

sitting room, dining room, ‘museum’ (function room), in-room TV (Freeview), civil wedding licence, 1-acre courtyard, 2 Tesla car charging points, unsuitable for disabled.

Background music

soft classical in sitting and dining rooms.

Children

over-12s only.

Dogs

allowed in some bedrooms by prior arrangement, not in public rooms.

Credit cards

Amex, MC, Visa.

Prices

per room B&B £165–£285, D,B&B £225–£325. Market menu 
(2–3 courses) £40–£50, tasting menu 
(6 courses) £65.

Other reviews

The Hotel Guru

Good Hotel Guide articles about
Old Downton Lodge

Special offers

2021 Midweek Special Offer

Midweek Special Offer for 2021. Special offer for Good Hotel Guide readers only: a special rate of £230 per room per night for Dinner Bed and Breakfast. Sunday to Thursday. A minimum stay of 2 nights is required. Book to stay in 2021 to receive this amazing offer. Please mention the Good Hotel Guide when booking.


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10% discount voucher

This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. To take advantage of this offer, you must present the voucher at the time of booking.

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Guide Book Vouchers

This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150.

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