A Tudor black-and-white coaching inn once known for its medieval banquets, this gastropub has taken a leap into the 21st century with smart designer bedrooms and sophisticated cooking of local and home-grown produce.

Amid rolling hills, where Shropshire nudges Herefordshire, Pippa and Willem Vlok's restaurant with rooms comprises a picturesque set piece of medieval and Georgian farm buildings.

Named in honour of Shrewsbury's famous son, this Grade II* listed Sandford House, moments from the Severn towpath, has evolved into a B&B full of Darwin references, with animal and plant wallpapers, maps and natural history objets.

After standing empty for almost nine years and falling into decay, this handsome village pub was rescued by the community a decade ago and thrives today as a friendly local and smart pub with rooms.

A fabulously photogenic, Grade I listed Jacobean building in the heart of this foodie town is home to a dog-friendly hotel where modern bedrooms with rainfall showers sit happily with original features, while guests can dine casually from a lounge menu, or more formally in the restaurant.

Behind a Georgian facade, this 16th-century coaching inn in the historic town centre has cool, casual-chic interiors, warm and friendly service, innovative cooking in the restaurant, and real ales, wine, cocktails and tapas in next-door Ernest & Co Wine bar.

This red-brick Georgian coaching inn on the Oakly Park estate, 10 minutes from foodie-central Ludlow, has been smartly updated, with country-chic bedrooms, and field-to-fork menus in the breezy open-plan bar and restaurant, using produce from the walled garden.