
The gentrified Shropshire town of Ludlow has established itself as one of England's foodie hot-spots, with a clutch of top-class restaurants and even its own locally-based gastronomic festival. Elsewhere, the county has tended to absorb lots of ideas and skills from its near neighbours, especially when it comes to cheesemaking, cakes & butchery. Welsh influences also loom large near the border. On the drinks front, Shropshire also has a strong contingent of independent and micro-breweries, who distribute their beers to pubs across the county.
The Old Vicarage HotelThis former Edwardian vicarage is now home to a charming hotel and restaurant in a beautiful and peaceful setting. With 3 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand to its name, the restaurant has been duly recognised for its modern, imaginative cuisine that makes very effective use of the raw ingredients that the richly fertile Shropshire area has to offer.
Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The StudioFormerly an artist's studio, this popular restaurant has become as much a firm favourite with locals as it is with those travelling through Church Stretton.
59 High Street, Church Stretton, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Inn at GrinshillWe are pleased to introduce The Inn at Grinshill as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2011.
The High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire - Cuisine:
Saracens at HadnallOriginally a coaching inn, some five miles outside Shrewsbury, this Grade II-listed building has been transformed into a smart, stylish restaurant-with-rooms by new incumbents Allison and Ben Christie.
Shrewsbury Road, Hadnall, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Falcon InnResurrected by a group of local people in 2004, the Falcon is establishing itself as one of the friendliest pubs in the area with an ever-growing reputation for food and drink.
Wood Lane, Hinstock, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The MalthouseA few hundred yards from the famous bridge, on a road that winds its way along the river, the Malthouse is a flexible venue comprising a hotchpotch of different buildings grouped around a courtyard.
The Wharfage, Ironbridge, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The WaterdineBuilt as an old drovers' inn during the sixteenth century, this converted longhouse stands in an idyllic hamlet right on the Anglo/Welsh border, with the River Teme marking the dividing line between the two countries.
Llanfair Waterdine, Llanfair Waterdine, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Fishmore HallA stunningly restored Palladian-style mansion on the outskirts of Ludlow, Fishmore Hall was transformed into a boutique country house hotel in 2007.
Fishmore Road, Ludlow, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Koo Japanese RestaurantThe Koo Japanese Restaurant is a relatively new addition to the gastronomic haven of Ludlow that sticks out like a sore thumb in this historic market town known for its excellent, traditional restaurants; but, it has brought a breath of fresh air to Ludlow's normal cuisine.
127 Old Street, Ludlow, Shropshire - Cuisine: Japanese
La BécasseFollowers of the Ludlow gastronomic scene will know that Claude Bosi's Michelin-starred restaurant Hibiscus is no more and in its place is La Bécasse ('the woodcock'), owned by fellow Michelin chef Alan Murchison (from another ornithologically titled restaurant, L'Ortolan in Shinfield).
17 Corve Street, Ludlow, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern French
Mr Underhill'sNestling under the ramparts and hill of Ludlow Castle, Michelin starred Mr Underhill's makes the most of its idyllic setting beside Dinham Weir.
Dinham Weir, Ludlow, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Goldstone HallGoldstone Hall is a country house hotel with three stars and a couple of rosettes for its culinary comforts. Under the affable gaze of John Cushing and his family, guests enjoy the quiet, relaxed and stimulating atmosphere of one of the best hotels in Shropshire.
Goldstone, Market Drayton, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Rosehill ManorThe Rosehill Manor Hotel occupies a grand Georgian house that has stood the passage of time, set within its own secluded grounds in Market Drayton.
Rosehill, Market Drayton, Shropshire - Cuisine: British
The Cottage Restaurant at Ternhill Farm HouseMichael and Jo Abraham's listed Georgian farmhouse stands in an acre of gardens and offers a tranquil retreat for visitors to the rural backwaters of Shropshire.
Ternhill, Market Drayton, Shropshire - Cuisine: International
The Sun InnStraddling England and Wales, on the main road between Shrewsbury and Montgomery, the 300-year-old Sun Inn stands proudly at the top of the village and makes an ideal pit-stop for travellers, sightseers and walkers trekking the Offas Dyke trail.
Marton, Marton, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Wenlock Edge InnNestled within the Shropshire countryside, in an area of unparalleled natural beauty is The Wenlock Edge Inn, an award-winning, traditional, limestone country dining pub.
Hilltop, Much Wenlock, Shropshire - Cuisine: British
Raven HotelThe Raven Hotel is an attractive Georgian house in the historic market town of Much Wenlock. The hotel oozes with historic charm and character and the restaurant is believed to be the town's original 15th century almshouses.
Barrow Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Feathers at BrocktonBrockton is right on the walkers' trail across Wenlock Edge, a few miles southwest of Much Wenlock. Trekkers with aching feet often seek refuge in the sixteenth-century Feathers, which provides warmth and nourishment in abundance.
Brockton, Much Wenlock, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Crown Country InnOnce a traditional Shropshire 'Hundred House', this old Tudor inn still retains many fine features - notably its oak beams, flagstone floors and inglenook fireplace.
, Munslow, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Hundred House HotelBehind the unassuming symmetrical façade of this red-brick Georgian inn is a highly individual, beguilingly idiosyncratic hotel. Once over the threshold, you will see quarry-tiled floors, red-painted walls, huge fireplaces, baskets piled high with pumpkins or decorated onions and - everywhere - voluminous bunches of dried herbs and flowers adding that personal touch.
Bridgnorth Road, Norton, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Navigation Inn and Warehouse RestaurantSituated on the banks of the Montgomery Canal which crosses the ancient border of England and Wales, this historic stone, brick and slate building is home to a friendly village pub offering classic home cooked food made from locally sourced produce and freshly prepared on the premises.
Maesbury Marsh, Oswestry, Shropshire - Cuisine:
Pen-y-Dyffryn Country HotelNestling on the Shropshire-Welsh border is The Pen-y-Dyffryn Country Hotel, a charming and peaceful haven in an area of quintessentially English countryside that is just a stone's throw away from Wales.
Rhydycroesau, Oswestry, Shropshire - Cuisine: British
Sebastians HotelFrom the outside, Sebastians looks like an archetypal English provincial tea shop, and the chintzy interior with its beams, wood panelling and uneven floors serves to reinforce first impressions.
45 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire - Cuisine: French
The WallsThe Walls stands out as a unique dining destination in Oswestry. Housed in a former school, the building is steeped in history and is full of reminders of its chequered past.
Welsh Walls, Oswestry, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Wynnstay HotelThe Wynnstay Hotel is a magnificent Georgian coaching inn located in the bustling heart of Owestry. Despite renovations and refurbishments over the years to bring a contemporary level of comfort, these haven't been at the expense of the hotel's charm and historic character.
Church Street, Oswestry, Shropshire - Cuisine: British
FennelsHoused within a Tudor style building in the charming Market Place of Shifnal is Fennels, a contemporary, European restaurant that is always busy.
8, Market Place, Shifnal, Shropshire - Cuisine: European
Albright Hussey HotelFollowing a lavish refurbishment, the Albright Hussey Hotel of today is one of the finest hotels in Shropshire, complete with an excellent restaurant which has been awarded an AA Rosette.
Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: English
Burlton InnBurlton is little more than a tiny hamlet, tucked away on the road between Ellesmere and Shrewsbury, but this eighteenth-century, family-run pub still manages to pull in the crowds.
Burlton, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Mercure Albrighton Hall HotelBuilt in 1630 alongside the fields where the Battle of Shrewsbury was fought, this thoughtfully extended ancestral home is now a fine-looking country house hotel with excellent conference and leisure facilities.
Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: International
Mytton & Mermaid HotelA glorious riverside location by the banks of the Severn is one of the big attractions at this magnificent Grade II-listed building.
Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British
RenaissanceThe Renaissance Restaurant, located in the charming town of Shrewsbury, has been wooing a loyal flock of diners for the past 5 years after Chef Stephen Lake and his wife Julie took the reins.
29A Princess Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: British
Rowton Castle HotelYou cannot really beat a medieval castle for a unique dining destination. The Rowton Castle Hotel, located near Shrewsbury, is brimming with character that speaks of its interesting past.
Halfway House, Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Da Vinci Italian RestaurantDa Vinci's a traditional, authentic Italian restaurant offering a classic range of Italian dishes, within an intimate ambience. Chef Patron Nadia Lord often bases her dishes on fresh ingredients imported from Italy, from herbs and cheese to smoked meats.
26 High Street, Telford, Shropshire - Cuisine: Italian
Hadley Park HouseSet in an airy and light conservatory, the Hadley Park House Restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere and offers an eclectic mix of contemporary English dishes obtaining as many ingredients as possible from local suppliers which gives diners a real taste of Shropshire.
Hadley Park, Telford, Shropshire - Cuisine: International
Valley HotelThe Valley Hotel is situated in the peaceful surroundings of the Ironbridge Gorge and is easy to get to being very close to the centre of Telford and motorway connections.
Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire - Cuisine: Modern British