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Ludlow, Shropshire
Hotel
These beautifully converted Elizabethan barns offer deep peace in glorious country - warm interiors and a gorgeous courtyard wait
9 rooms
Rooms sleep 2
From
£155 p/n
How to book
If you have any questions or want to enquire about dates, use our form to contact Willem & Pippa Vlok or see their website for more information.
Pricing
From £155 per night
The
Experience
The last time anything really happened here was in 1067 when Edric the Wild got a bit shirty with invading Normans. Fast forward five hundred years and Old Downton is taking shape. It’s a fine old building, a little like walking onto the set of Wolf Hall, with original timbers, mighty crossbeams and beautiful stone walls. It sits in pristine country. Pheasants strut, hills roll, woodlands sprawl along distant ridges; a stunning walk across it all takes you over to Ludlow. Back at the house Pippa and Willem look after you in great style. There’s a lovely sitting room in the old dairy with a roaring fire, then a dining room in an 11th-century barn that resembles a medieval banqueting hall. In summer, life moves into the courtyard where you can eat, drink and make merry. Big bedrooms mix timber frames, stone walls, flagged floors and oak furniture, while bathrooms have robes and lashings of hot water. Back outside, follow the river Teme up to Downton Gorge for ferns, otters, Roman baths and bluebells in spring. Bring your Tesla – there are two chargers here.
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Essentials
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- WiFi
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Vegetarian meals
- Paid parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Information
& pricing
Booking information
- Check in
- 3pm-10pm
- Check out
- 11am
- Booking restrictions
- Pets by arrangement.
- Closed
- Christmas.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Dinner, 3-9 courses, from £50 per person.
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £155
- Surcharges
- Singles £145-£295.
- 5 Doubles
- From £155
- 2 Twins
- From £155
- 2 Four-posters
- From £165
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Reviews
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My family of 5 dined here to celebrate my 60th birthday. From beginning to end the evening was perfect - the food was superb, we were looked after with care, consideration and discretion, and enjoyed every part of the experience. It's a real gem.
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Location
The neighbourhood
Local points of interest from Willem & Pippa Vlok
- The map shows Old Downton Lodge is 6 miles from Ludlow – yet those six miles seem to transport you through time to a bygone age. You will be mesmerised by the abundance of wild life. Rediscover the lost England of Housman and Shakespeare.
- Walk through its cartway and enter Old Downton’s secret world. Even the grounds seem timeless – there’s the remains of an ancient Motte and the cottage garden just invites you to take a seat, relax and enjoy a glass of wine.
- A mixture of buildings – medieval, half timbered and Georgian surround a herb and flower bedecked courtyard that looks out towards the Hereford hills. This is pure escapism.
- Great walks from Old Downton including part of the Herefordshire trail though Downton Gorge Nature Reserve and past Downton Castle. With luck you will see Otter, Red Kite and Dipper to name a few. Setting for Malcolm Savilles book "The Secret of the Gorge"
- National Trust properties nearby, Croft Castle, Berrington Hall, Attingham Park, Carding Mill Valley, Powis Castle and Wilderhope Manor. More than a dozen English Heritage sites such as the castles at Clun and Stokesay.
- A must visit is the famous Sun Inn in Leintwardine. About 20 minute walk away. An old parlour pub which has been extended out the back but kept the original front room. Order fish and chips from the Fiddlers Elbow, next door, and enjoy them in The Sun.
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We loved our stay at the lodge, especially dinner with the 6 course tasting menu. We particularly enjoyed one of the desserts which consisted of Welsh honey, yoghurt, camomile and fennel. An unusual combination of ingredients but it worked beautifully!