Old Downton Lodge in Shropshire

Lovely afternoon tea with friend. Food was delicious and the service friendly and welcoming. A bottle of fizz made the occasion even lovelier! Would highly recommend.

Old Downton Lodge is a very beautiful place. The staff are very friendly and attentive and our afternoon tea was delicious.

Absolutely superb From our welcome by Tomasz, the restaurant manager and then the highly efficient and friendly service throughout the meal we felt that we had been made extremely welcome The quality of the different dishes was sublime, the little extras which kept appearing were delicious and the excellent quality of the wine list was the icing on the cake The restaurant itself was perfect and every one of the 8 people who sat down to eat were thrilled with everything they received Congratulations to everyone who played a part

I was given a voucher for afternoon tea very rural location beautiful place we were the only people there for afternoon tea that day staff friendly and attentive food disappointing dry scones some sort of brioche bun very dry and hard cakes were overly sweet everything tasted the same all in all I have had much better afternoon tea I emailed them afterwards with some comments and they didn’t acknowledge the email so I thought I would put it in the public domain other reviews rave about this place but it was extremely disappointing and I wouldn’t bother going again

Another great stay (our sixth visit) at our favourite place to stay and dine in the UK. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful rooms, lovely friendly staff and fabulous food and wine....we will be back!

I'm writing this sitting in the sumptuous bed having just woken from a wonderful night's sleep in a beautiful room, fully confident I can expect the breakfast to be as breathtaking as last nights meal. Having arrived in the afternoon we were shown to our amazing room in the beautiful Ludlow countryside. The medieval setting is idyllic and immediately a sense of relaxation and calm hits you like an iron bar in a big fluffy sock. The 6 course tasting menu with paired wines was sublime, each course an incredible experience. The staff who looked after and guided us through this journey were a delight- knowledgeable and attentive whilst giving us the privacy to giggle and goggle at the sheer deliciousness of the whole thing. If there is a heaven I think it will look a bit like Downton lodge

Booked overnight stay with Dinner and Breakfast, extremely exceptional quality of both accomodation, Dinner and Breakfast. We had pre Dinner dronks in the lovely bar area and sampled the local Gin and beer served by very helpful and knowlegable staff. The Dining room is a lovely setting where we had a selection of breads, liver parfait followed by pork, pre desert and desert all finished off with a generous cheesboard to share. There is an extensive range of wines from all over the globe and whisky collection in the bar area. Breakfast on the Sunday morning was the same high standard both in food and service. Would recommend highly.

Great service from the moment we arrived, staff were very helpful and attentive. Food was amazing and beautiful dining room. Enjoyed the taster menu, would highly recommend the experience.

Consistently excellent food with friendly professional service. Bespoke bedrooms in a idilic setting. Fabulous for a special getaway & very convenient for visiting Ludlow.

I can't find enough superlatives for this place. This is our third time here. This time it was to celebrate our 40ths. This restaurant is perfect. The food, ambience, the staff are all on point. Last night, was my birthday and we had the a la carte menu. Every bite was delicious. Nick the chef and the kitchen staff are so clever in what they do. And no joke, I had the best potato of my life. We will be back for a fourth time no doubt. (Rooms here are utterly loverly too) See attached photo as an example of the brilliance of this place.

We booked the tasting menu at Old Downton Lodge via their website some 6 weeks before we visited Ludlow. When booking, there was no indication that meals were served anywhere other than the beautiful medieval dining room.On arrival we enjoyed a drink and appetisers in the bar area. About 20 minutes later, a member of the waiting staff informed us that our table was ready and led us to a table right next to the sofa on which we were sitting. My partner was perched on the banquette seating and I was seated opposite. There were no other tables set for dining in the bar area. I queried why we were not sitting in the dining room and was told they were very busy.When the waiter came back to take our wine order I stated my displeasure at being seated in the bar and that there was no indication that this area was used for dining on the website. Whilst the bar itself was fine for pre-drinks, it was by no means the sort of environment that felt comfortable for dining. I made it known that this was a special occasion and that we had expected to eat in the dining room as indicated on the restaurant’s website when we booked. The waiter apologised again and left with our drinks order.Shortly after, a young woman came to the table and said that another party had decided to eat outdoors so, miraculously, there was now a table free in the dining room should we wish to eat in there. I thanked her for this, accepted the offer and received the reply “Well, if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. Quite astonished by what felt like the assertion that we somehow weren’t quite worthy of eating in such fine surroundings, I really didn’t know how to respond.We took our seats in the dining room where wine and our first course were delivered along with a basket of cutlery. Whether this was a COVID measure or not (we didn’t encounter it in any other restaurant we visited during our week in Ludlow) this certainly didn’t fit with my idea of fine dining. Having to root around in a basket of cutlery for the appropriate instruments felt more like being in a pub.The tasting menu itself was fine, some interesting ingredients, cooked well and served appropriately but there was nothing particularly memorable. Perhaps the food was soured by our initial experience but I can honestly say whilst in Ludlow we ate meals equally as good, and better, for a fraction of the price.What should have been a very memorable evening sadly, left us disappointed.

Wonderful lunch! It was definitely worth the drive - superb setting and wonderful food with relaxed but highly professional service. Our biggest mistake was not booking to stay the night... Will definitely be back to visit again.

Old Downton Lodge is our 'place to go' when we want to give ourselves an extra special treat and we ALWAYS have the tasting menu with matching wine flight. Yes it is expensive but we would rather not eat out at a regular restaurant twice/three times and replace it with once eating here. The food and wine are superb. When we were asked what we wanted for Christmas this year top of our list was 'vouchers to Downton Lodge' and that is exactly what we got! We can't wait to come back.

Had a night away with my wife, simply superb! We are vegetarian and the chef cooked a fantastic 5 course tasting menu, it was perfect.

Great setting for a great lunch, menu not massive but enough choice. Food was first class, great staff and many steps taken because of covid - thoroughly recommend

This is a MUST! Sublime dinner and an experience not to be missed! The staff go above and beyond and are so friendly and the decor and atmosphere make you feel like you have gone back in time!!!

My husband and I had a meal here during our honeymoon, and had the tasting menu with wine flight. The food was delicious and paired beautifully with the wines. All the staff were friendly, attentive and professional. The atmosphere was very relaxed and we had a lovely evening.

This hotel was made from converting the outbuildings of a manor house 20 minutes outside Ludlow in the middle of the countryside. It is very attractive, peaceful, and well organised. We had two nights in a large ground-floor room (number 1) with a four-poster, a great bathroom, and functioning, controllable radiators.The Covid arrangements were strict but well thought-out. The food was outstanding with some excellent South African wine (Sondeling) on a sensible wine list. The staff were welcoming and efficient. It made an excellent base for exploring a beautiful part of the country including Ludlow (castle and riverside walk recommended).

We were seated in the main hall, which was very historic and characterful. We opted just to have the two course menu, starters and mains. The food is outstanding, and portion sizes are not half as bad as you may assume them to be. The drinks were tasty also, nice selection. Staff were attentive and kind. Will be back for dessert!

Had a delicious meal here and the staff couldn't have been more attentive. The main dining hall is very impressive, but we were sat out in the smaller room, which was a little lacking in atmosphere. It's down some single lane country roads, so if you're not the most confident of drivers it may be worth booking a taxi.

First visit here & it won’t be our last. Lovely secluded location but close to Ludlow if you fancy a visit. Stylish bedroom (no 7) with a four poster bed & modern , very clean bathroom.We had the tasting menu with wine flight. Portion size perfect for us as we weren’t uncomfortably full & we had a pleasant 10 min break before our cheese course. The wine choices were excellent & we drank wines that we hadn’t tried before. They all complemented the food really well. The food was excellent, only course we weren’t too keen on was the salmon. It was lacking in flavour although the accompanying vegetable garnish was tasty. By contrast the lamb main course was the stand out dish with everything on the plate working perfectly together.The service throughout our stay was very friendly & efficient. Breakfast this morning was also very good. A wide selection of dishes & quality ingredients.Thought it was good value for money too & we’ll be back.

A lovely setting for dinner. Dinner was very nice; though not lots of it. Enjoyed chatting restaurants with the couple on the next table. A very nice place to visit.

Downton adverises itself as fine dining with rooms. Food was excellent, congrats to the new chef, the tasting menu was excellent throughout as were the wine pairings. the lamb dish was absolutely excellent. The Tomato starter was amazing, and I don't normally eat tomatoes it was that good !Even the social distancing was well done and felt safe and appropriate.

We were staying nearby in Bucknell at the Baron and booked Old Downton Lodge for my husband's birthday. Our table was in the bar/lounge area as there was a largish party in the main dining hall. Not an issue as the bar setting was relaxed and informal. We opted for the taster menu with matching wine flights. The food was excellent and one of our favourite tasting menus that we've done. Lovely balance of dishes and overall delicate and fresh with great flavours. The matching wines were well chosen (and we've since ordered some) and the Sommelier (sorry we didn't catch your name) made our evening with his friendly service and chat and passion for the food and drink. He made us some great cocktails at the end of the evening too with one of the best Old Fashioned's we've tasted.

I ate at Old Downton Lodge with some friends before the lockdown. It is absolutely fabulous and they absolutely deserve the accolades that they have. I have just looked at their site to see whether they will be reopening and was very saddened to see the way in which the restaurant/ rooms is presenting itself. Essentially it's a site which presents itself as base for exploring Shropshire, it has a whole section on its' website promoting Shropshire and proximity to Ludlow. On Sawdays, the owners proclaim that they are now Salopians, and in various reviews, including the Shropshire Journal it has been described as the finest restaurant in South Shropshire. So for the record it is in Herefordshire, many of the photographs promoting the restaurant proport to be in Shropshire are in Herefordshire. Surely they can do better than this, it is insulting to its host county to get it so wrong.

Had a weekend staying at ODL with food included in the price.It is on the expensive side but the food is of a high standard with service to match.The wine list is also expensive and in my opinion limited in its range which could also be said of the spirit assortment in the bar.Breakfast was reasonable but the choice available below what I would expect when paying so much. No fresh orange juice!The bedroom was tastefully presented and included bath but no shower.There are no other facilities available at ODL

The food was of a poor standard and overpriced. It was a visit we had been looking forward to as locally it has had a good reputation. However, we are unlikely to return.

This rather remotely situated restaurant, with rooms, is really worth a stay. The rooms are nice enough (we had one with a four-poster bed and a glam bathroom), so try taking one and really enjoy the evening. Start with aperitifs in the bar (the local gins were good) with amuse bouche. Then on to the dining room which is a great environment; tapestry, candles, like a mini baronial hall. The food is of a very high standard. Every dish on the tasting menu was 5/5. This restaurant is not yet Michelin starred; I have no doubt it will be and very soon. The wine pairing was great, the sommelier charming. Service throughout the establishment was efficient and friendly.

Having read reviews about the delightful location and delicious good food, we seized the chance when we happened upon a DBB deal!Checking in was easy enough, though rushed rather than welcoming.We asked if we could have a drink in the bar/lounge area, had a brief chat with Willem who was pleasant enough but seemingly preoccupied. Clearly a busy man, we were not offended.Our room in the farm building was spotless and there was plenty of attention to detail. The bed was very comfortable indeed. A lovely room.Good toiletries were a nice touch and the bathroom was small but adequate.Unfortunately the stairs directly outside our room were not lit well. The light on a timer is not the best.The food was rather underwhelming overall. I consider myself a real home cook. I know good food. I am not trained but I'm lucky enough to have attended short cooking courses across the world. I buy the best ingredients and am lucky enough to eat quality food on a regular basis. Moreover, I know how much hard work and effort goes into preparing quality food. I don't criticise for the sake of it and I do vote with my feet.The homemade bread and butter was good.Sadly the halibut was overcooked. Flavours in the dish were good but overall disappointing due to the overcooked fish.The venison dish was nothing special.Dessert was excellent. A first time for me to have celeriac with chocolate though I do love both and really enjoyed the dessert.We were looking forward to taking the advice of the much acclaimed Alexios Stasinopoulos, sommelier but he was not there, and I think he has since parted company with Old Downton. However, we can find our way around a wine list and chose a good bottle of red with the assistance of the very helpful and pleasant waiter (though I cannot read her name in my notes). The wine list was varied and not too extensive, something for every taste and pocket. Service was a little slow.The dining room would surely be wonderful for a huge party but the way it is set out is not for intimate dining or for any restaurant ambience.There was a very large party of gentleman dining, who appeared to enjoying prompt attention from the Downton staff. Regulars perhaps Maybe this is why our fish was overcooked (both our dishes), as there were a large number of diners including this group.Breakfast was very good. Eggs were cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was just a little odd, not private enough perhaps. The dining room is not to my taste or liking.I am not sure we will be back.

Friendly but stylish service combined with centuries old accommodation with 21st century service - what’s not to like ( and you can take your dog) . The setting in the upper reaches of the Teme Valley on the Downton estate is idyllic. The courtyard parterre gardens are a stunning setting for a quiet drink or chat ....And I haven’t even started on the food. We have been before for a big birthday and this place was my request for my own recent ‘special ‘ birthday . The food is exquisite and the tasting menu is a work of art. Joao is a charming and clever sommelier. Karl Martin is a very talented chef who will be a sad loss when he leaves next month - hopefully he will be cooking up a storm in a new venue after a well deserved break. Being curious, I managed to find out whowill be heading up the kitchen after Karl leaves. And I am pleased to say that looking forward to a return visit and hopefully another overnight stay ... oh and did I mention the breakfast ?

Situated on the sprawling Downton Estate, this is not an easy place to access. Fortunately the narrow lanes were quiet when we visited. Unfortunately the restaurant was not operating when we stayed, so the only meal we ate there was breakfast, which was certainly up to par. We stayed in Room 9, which is self-contained, unlike the other rooms which are distributed among several buildings. The room consisted of two levels; downstairs was a large and well-appointed bathroom, while upstairs (only 5 stairs) was the bedroom and some casual furniture, including a side table which could act as a desk. We had a drink in the lounge and bar area situated near reception. This is a place we would have loved to spend more time at, and to enjoy the restaurant's food. Maybe next time! Great ambience, a warm welcome, and access to some very interesting countryside.

My wife and I had a two night break at Old Downton Lodge. The location was good for visiting the local area. The hotel acccomodation was superb and the staff were friendly,, efficient and obliging.qUnfortunately the food fell way below our expectation and was not value for money

We Dinned there with friends, the tasting menu with wine pairing costs £114, meal for 4 with service Our bill was circa £620 The service was brilliant and food first rate - expensive but worth it

Another visit to this delightful restaurant proves you get what you pay for. The quality and care over a tasting menu sets your taste buds singing. Chef has created a tasting experience that I have found in only the finest restaurants. Over several years the quality has never varied, always superb. Although quite expensive my guests claimed Downton Lodge clear value for money. It’s not just great food it’s a lovely dining experience with highly professional but not stuffy staff. For a special occasion this is hard to beat.

Another two night stay at the hotel, and yet again it has exceeded expectations, the food, service, ambience was flawless. A deserved thank you to Willem, Karl and their staff.

We had to stay in Ludlow and I found this place on TA. It looked nice, but that was the limit of our expectations. Wow. Warm welcome to the hotel and then the restaurant - innovative menu, great choice of aperitifs, and when it arrived the food was delicious. We had a serious discussion about whether we could rearrange things to be able to ask to stay a second night and do the tasting menu, but unfortunately couldn’t. Only (very minor) criticism would be that the portions could be a bit bigger but then, as my wife reminded me, I am a greedy so-and-so. Highly recommended - go if you get the chance, we will if in the area again.

We felt very privileged to have an evening (a very long evening!) at this beautiful restaurant. Every course was a memorable work of art and a delight to the palate. Service was attentive and efficient. They catered very well to the sole vegetarian in the party (me) with dishes that resembled the meaty counterparts. Would love to go back.

Karl has been talking about this place for a whole to me and it was always frustrating looking at his Instagram account as the food he was showing looked incredible!!

From the moment we arrived to the moment we sadly had to leave, the charm of Old Downton Lodge and its staff was a real treat. Despite its geographical isolation, this is not somewhere to by-pass. The food is thoughtful, well judged and playfully delicious!

A last minute birthday surprise for a friend. Six courses plus wines rather than the nine courses as in my last review. To quote my friend “If all vegetarian food were as good as “carrot” I could eat nine courses of vegetarian food”.

We were absolutely delighted with our two night stay. Our room was lovely; a comfortable four poster bed and newly fitted, modern bathroom. The lounge was inviting with a wood burning stove and comfortable seating, for afternoon tea and Pre-dinner drinks. We had an exquisite 6 course tasting menu with matching wines (wine flight) ... first class in every respect. The breakfasts were amongst the best we’ve had ... cooked to perfection. Staff were all very professional, eager to please but not over familiar. All in all it was Wonderful.

We stayed at just one night. We had the nine course menu and the wine flight. The food was superb, the wines well matched and the service was just right, informed, attentive and friendly without being familiar. The room was charming and the whole setting perfect. We fully intend to return perhaps in the warmer weather to take advantage of the pretty courtyard garden.

We spent three nights at Old Downton Lodge and had a wonderfully relaxing stay. The four-poster bed was large and very comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious, light and a pleasure to use. But the standout experience was the 6-course tasting menu. What a delicate, interesting, beautifully presented meal we enjoyed, created by chef Karl Martin. And the dining room certainly adds to the experience, with only half a dozen tables in the one-time barn of the farm buildings, with its high-beamed roof and triangular air-vents (now glazed) all beautifully styled to retain character and charm. Well done, Old Downton Lodge - everything is right.

The setting is lovely, the lodge itself has been done up to a very high stspecification and looks terrific. The food was good but nothing really mind blowingly amazing. The real downside is the price. After paying over £100 for 2 meals, you then see on the bill in capital letters SERVICE NOT INCLUDED. I know this is commonplace in the “fine dining” industry but as the service charge is usually a percentage extra, then the charge on an expensive meal is then very expensive indeed.

service and food were faultless and place was very beautifully styled. The staff were friendly an efficient . the only teeny suggestion is some minimal background noise /music as the dining room was quiet. I would recommend this lovely place highly and for what we got I was pleasantly surprised when the bill arrived.

Excellent ! would highly recommend , been twice and would go again !

Stayed here with friends in October after 9-course tasting menu (which was absolutely amazing!). We stayed in Room 9 which has large four poster bed, lovely tall ceiling with exposed beams overlooking the courtyard and old farm house.

The whole family spent the weekend and Downton Lodge for the wedding of our daughter. I would like to thank the staff for their professionalism and excellent service...nothing was too much trouble. The management team Willem and Pippa were always on hand to oversee the smooth running of the event. The accommodation is spotless and of a very high standard., The food is outstanding. The whole family had a wonderful, memorable time. My husband and I look forward to returning next year to explore the beautiful countryside.

This is such a lovely place. The restaurant is mediaeval but warm and inviting. We had the 6 course tasting menu and the accompanying wine flight. My favourite was the Wagyu beef, but each course was delicious. Each course and wine was introduced to us by the staff. The attention to detail of each plate with it's tiny leaves or flowers adding to the flavour was superb.

After hearing people rave about this place, decided we would go for the 9 course tasting menu priced at £75. We arrived about 15 mins early, and were seated in the waiting area , I had a cocktail which was rather pricey at £11. The staff were very friendly, and we asked some questions on some wines, which they were very helpful with and were very helpful in changing the menu for me as I don't eat fish. Our table was booked for half past 7, and we weren't seated till gone 8 . We were the only people in the restaurant, which I must admit looks very medieval and quite dark and dindgey. The food came out quite slowly, of which the only thing that really blew me away was the beef, everything else was not mind blowing and I was disappointed that i'd payed so much for food that wasn't that great. We eventually left at gone 11, which considering we were the only ones in the restaurant and there was only two of us, was a bit much.

Having not been to Old downton lodge for over 2 years, its was definitely time to make a revisit, but this time i brought my brother-in-law with me...

The setting is lovely, the lodge itself has been done up to a very high specification and looks terrific. The food was good but nothing really mind blowingly amazing. The real downside is the price. After paying over £100 for 2 meals, you then see on the bill in capital letters SERVICE NOT INCLUDED. I know this is commonplace in the “fine dining” industry but as the service charge is usually a percentage extra, then the charge on an expensive meal is then very expensive indeed.

A beautiful converted barn served as the lounge area where we were cordially welcomed by all staff. We didn’t feel in any way inferior for not being residents! My favourite gin (Tanqueray 10) was served with a slice of grapefruit rather than the usual lime or lemon: a small but effective detail that was to be one of the hallmarks of this fine restaurant, along with the menu card bearing our surname, the table in a quiet corner just as I had requested in my booking, the courtesy call the day before to check on any dietary requirements, the friendly (definitely not stuffy) demeanour of all staff who served us... The main dining hall felt medieval or baronial with lovely triangular dovecote holes in the stone walls (if that’s what they were), tapestries hanging and a seating plan that gave plenty of space between diners. We opted for the 6 course tasting menu and I had the flight of wines to accompany with my wife sticking to water as designated driver. Each course was exquisite and well-paired with the wines. I particularly enjoyed the Lebanese Chateau Musar with the Wagyu and the Pinot Noir with the pork - all nicely explained by the waiters. We spent £200 in total for an excellent culinary, social and architectural experience; a lot some might think but as fine dining goes this is very good value. Often you pay a lot for really nice food only for it to be spoilt by the waitering, seating or ambience; but not here. My wife and I are not frequent fine diners but we’ve experienced enough (in Cambridge and London) to know that Old Downton deserves to be more widely known than its remote location might dictate. Just two small suggestions for improvement. The background music on arrival in the dining hall (50s jazz I think) did not complement the medieval ambience and the decaf coffees we had at the end were not up to the high standard of the rest of the evening (tasted like ‘instant’). But forgive that nit-picking. Overall the experience was fantastic.

A fantastic meal at a stunning restaurant. Karl and the team should be very proud of what they're doing.

Absolutely fantastic place, the sun shone as we sat in a beautifully landscaped coutyard, almost felt like individual garden areas. The room was very tasteful and finished to a high standard. The food was magnificent and time was given to talk us through the wine flight as this not our area if expertise. Over all I could not find a thing to fault!

Amazing service, beautiful atmosphere and divine food!

- Exceptional food - a very talented chef... - Wine flight could be upgraded (and price increased accordingly to match the quality of the food). It was very good value for money but I think the amazing food could benefit from a "fine wine flight"...

Delicious tasting menu with unusual foods. Presentation of food was amazing. Service excellent. Small dining room created a lovely atmosphere.

I had booked a couple of days in the hotel and the meal was so fantastic I came back for more the next night! I am vegetarian and they accommodated this easily with a fantastically thought out individual menu. Great fine ding, one of the best meals I've had!

A creative renowned chef who really knows how to kick up flavor. Every night we highly anticipated our meal and were never let down.

Excellent degustation meal and win match, beautifully presented

A fabulous find! Wonderful staff and the food was exquisite! We had the taster menu, I can’t fault it! Next time we’ll be staying!

From beginning to end, our evening at Old Downton Lodge was superb. From the moment we arrived, the staff was attentive, discreet, professional and welcoming. We chose to try the tasting menu, which was an excellent choice. The six courses were bursting with interesting surprises in flavour and texture, each mouthful to be savoured. The room was gorgeous, low-lit and quiet, the pace was pleasantly slow, so that we could thoroughly enjoy the extraordinary meal. And all the while, the staff attended to our every need without intruding. It was a perfect evening, and one of the best meals we have enjoyed!

Fabulous six course tasting menu for £60 per head- delicate flavours; creative pairings; everything beautifully cooked.

The whole experience from the moment we arrived was wonderful and I highly recommend others to go and try, I will definitely be visiting again. The reception staff upon arrival, the bar and waiting staff and the staff looking after our check out were all welcoming, knowledgeable, and accommodating. We had the 6 course taster menu with accompanying wines, the food was presented beautifully with so much imagination and attention to detail in every dish. The Chef and his team are all clearly very talented.

This was a Friday evening last minute booking.

We were here to spend the night at the lodge and planned ahead for dinner. When we arrived they had our menu (which included food allergy options) prepared and printed - very personalized!!! We felt extremely special. Dinner was amazing - almost pieces of art. We decided to add the wine paring - it was well worth it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Wonderful food, the tasting menu was delicious and the savoury courses especially good. interesting wine pairing with some different and delicious choices that I was pleased to have been introduced to

Simply delightful. Went for the 6 course taster.

i have eaten here several times and i think it's wonderful. The tasting menu is delicious and full of imagination, i think the chef is very talented. It is also a really nice place to stay overnight - great rooms with antique furniture and a beautiful setting.

Stunning location, stunning food, generous host and attentive staff. Thank you for a lovely evening

My wife and I visited for dinner. Having read the reviews we hoped we would not be disappointed (as sometimes happens). We chose the £50 menu as we wanted a proper meal rather than a tasting experience.

A glorious stop when heading south, selected on the basis of a glowing review in The DailyTelegraph, the Old Downton Lodge lived up our expectations.

A fabulous 9 course meal with accompanying wine. My only critique is the course sizes......even for a tasting menu, so were very small. The petit fours made up for it though in the bar afterwards! Highly recommended.

We've lived in the area for 2 years and this was our first time at the ODL.........But it will not be our last! The Bar and Restaurant are expertly designed and decorated with a contemporary twist housed in Tudor surroundings - Almost baronial but retaining it's intimacy.

We booked into Old Downton Lodge for a long weekend in Herefordshire and were not disappointed. The food is magnificent. We had a 9 course tasting menu with a selection of wines and, apart from one course which was just a bit tart, couldn't see how anything could have been improved on. The meeting is fantastic, too, with the restaurant in a converted barn that has become a banqueting hall with great style. The rooms are good too, spacious and comfortable The staff are friendly, welcoming and helpful. It's a real treat to be here

I ran out of beautiful words to describe the whole experience of our evening. From the moment you arrive, upon departure the whole experience will leave you wanting more. The waiting staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The food was presented and produced with love and enthusiasm. Each dish was a delight to the senses, leading exquisitely onto the next dish. You could feel how much time, team work, and attention had gone in to develop every stage of the menu. Such a wonderful experience. Highly recommended, and i look forward to our next visit. All our very best in your future achievements. Well done to all the team at Old Downton Lodge Delightful, marvellous, awesome

My husband and I have just returned from an overnight stay at Old Downton Lodge and cannot rate this place enough. My husband was taken ill minutes before our dinner reservation was due to start, which meant we had to cancel our dinner at extremely short notice. I cannot thank Saffron and the team enough for their kindness and impeccable service shown us. Not only did they understand completely, they did everything they could to ensure our comfort. From asking if my husband needed a doctor to recognising I may be hungry and arranging for chef to prepare a meze board for me, which would also be suitable for my husband later if he was feeling up to eating and having it brought to our room at a time to suit us. They really went above and beyond any service I have received anywhere else I have stayed.

We booked Old Downton Lodge for a couple of nights to celebrate a birthday. We had the six-course tasting menu, and it was faultless in every detail. Superb ingredients, deliciously combined. Everything was beautiful to look at as well as wonderful to eat. The plates and dishes complemented the food; as well as being a culinary artist, chef Karl Martin has an artistic eye for design as well. Alex, the sommelier, was knowledgeable and charming, and the service was good. This is a real gem; I hope to visit again.

Great tasting menu, with superb flavours in each course. The service was discreet but attentive and we were made to feel very welcome. The dining room is impressive and the bar area is cosy.

My husband and I stayed last night for our wedding anniversary. I can not say enough good things about Old Downton Lodge and the amazing team that work there. We had the 6 course taster menu, every single mouthful was perfect and delicious. The staff couldn't be more friendly and helpful. Our room was stunning, beautifully and tastefully decorated, and superbly comfortable. 5 stars Old Downton Lodge, richly deserved. We look forward to a return visit soon.

A truly lovely environment with excellent food and great service, thank you.

Celebramos nuestra boda aquí la semana pasada y estaba impecable. Willem, Pippa, Kim y el equipo de cuidado todos nosotros brillantemente. Desde el saludo al llegar, que sirve las bebidas, esperando en las mesas para aclarar todo fue fantástico. El personal era atento pero no demasiado como para imponer en el día y la comida era increíble. Estábamos un poco preocupados ya que teníamos un menú fijo y tuvimos un par de poco quisquillosos, pero aún les encantó la comida. Todo el día fue excelente de principio a fin, es un fantástico lugar con servicio de primera clase. Elegimos Antiguo Downton como tenía el menú degustación el año pasado y fue increíble, realmente era la mejor comida que hemos tenido. Bien hecho a todos, y volveremos.

A beautiful place in a great setting. Well worth a visit. The service from all of the staff was first class. The food was clever, exciting and very tasty.

Nos queríamos pasar una noche cerca de Ludlow, con un excelente restaurante. Después de revisar el sitio web reservamos por teléfono confirmado por e-mail de recepción casi de inmediato. La recepcionista tuvo en cuenta nuestra petición de una habitación con una ducha y nos dieron nuestra habitación para comprobar en el sitio web. Old Downton Lodge está fuera de las principales carreteras y está en una ubicación rural tranquila con ruido de tráfico. La habitación era exactamente como reservado. Tuvimos la cena de degustación de 6 platos con vinos sommelier recomendado. Esta experiencia fue mejor que algunos hemos experimentado en restaurantes con estrellas Michelin. Después de una buena noche de sueño tuvimos un desayuno igualmente excepcional. Es casi imposible encontrar ninguna pega a este establecimiento. El personal era amable y servicial y atento sin ser entrometido.

Wonderful service, the maitre'de provided us with champagne when he heard it was our anniversary. We were treated like royalty by all staff. The food was wonderful even if some of the flavours were quite challenging. Would definitely come again foe a special occasion, unfortunately the price prevents regular attendance, but this keeps it special. The surroundings were stunning and next time we would like to stay overnight and make it really special.

This restaurant is located in a remote setting in lovely countryside a few miles outside Ludlow. The dining room is an old barn that has been refurbished to a high standard with good quality furniture and features. Tables are well spaced so you don't feel hemmed in by other diners. There is only a 6 or 9 course taster menu which is e mailed to you beforehand so that you can ask them to adapt plates to suit your requirements. Very friendly staff including Alexis who knows his wines and the very talented chef Carl. Food quality was excellent - as good as many Michelin starred restaurants that I have been to. Difficult to highlight any course as they were all very good. Portion size, presentation and speed were perfect. A memorable evening and we will certainly return – just hope the same team are still there!

We had a wonderful time eating the divine creations at old Downton Lodge. Extremely attentive service given by the sommelier, who matched the wines to perfection. The benefit of all wines supplied from Tanners is that we can now enjoy some of my favourites at home! The only downside to our evening was the slightly self conscious quiet atmosphere in the dining room. I would have preferred a little music to allow us to speak to each other a little louder. That said, the menu changes daily, I follow the chef on Instagram, and I'm excited by everything he seems to be making. Definitely worth seeking out. Will be returning. Perhaps staying over next time, since being the designated driver only allowed me to taste a few of these wonderful wines.

Really special place beautifully restored & you feel privileged to be there. The taster menu which we had the5 course was excellent… the wine whilst expensive was first class with good choice. The staff were pleasant & extremely attentive as was the owner who had time for a little chat !! Overal the evening was expensive but the quality & ambience oused class !!!

We had not been here before but was on our list to visit. Managed to book a table when we had some friends visiting. We had the 7 course tasting menu with wine flight. The place is beautiful and the staff friendly and well trained. The food was stunning and clearly Michelin standard. The dining room is small but very attractive. The lounge area looks like a converted barn (probably is) but with the beams and décor was very nice indeed. Maybe next time we might book a room as the do a good deal for dinner bed and breakfast.

Excellent meal and wine with attentive service. Lovely place.

OMG!!!! Took my boyfriend here for a special birthday treat and it was a wonderful experience. Certainly earned me brownie points in the best girlfriend ever award. We had the 9 course tasting menu and although I didn't really know what to expect I have to say it was amazing. Each course came with a description of the ingredients used and exploded on your taste buds. Easily the best food I have ever eaten by far. The service was excellent with all the staff being so attentive.

I have stayed here twice, both times with friends and had a fabulous time. We booked for my birthday and enjoyed the 9 course menu with wine tasting. It was delightful. The staff are attentive and enthusiastically helpful. Love this place.

We had a lovely meal in Old Downton Lodge. The food was wonderful and the service was excellent. We chose the 7 course tasting menu and my husband had the recommended wines. The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff were very knowledgeable.

We were a group of 8 friends visiting near by Ludlow for a foodie weekend. We settled for the 9 course taster menu with sommelier service and had high expectations. Superb tasting dishes using local produce, I think we will all be talking about the Venison dish forever…so good, particularly the bon-bon! Staff are attentive and knowledgeable.Beautiful dining room with a Lovely atmosphere and ambience.The whole evening from start to finish was delightful. Special thanks to Willem for going above and beyond the call of duty and making our evening one to remember.

Chose this restaurant from the Michelin guide but didn't know what to expect. The place is absolutely beautiful. Very rural but very sophisticated. The meal exceeded all our expectations. Five innovative, technically very well executed and cleverly presented courses were all excellent. The cheeses and wine selections were thoughtful and knowledgable. A real find!

Totally mind-blowing, all preconceptions are thrown out the window. Taste buds had a party! Still haven't got my head around beetroot marshmallow pudding! Very relaxed atmosphere particularly liked the fact you could dress up or down anything was okay. Appreciate the fact the menu changes as different foods come into season. First experience of a taster menu - two happy eaters.

Went to an occasion recently and a buffet was provided. Food was absolutely delicious and staff were very polite friendly and extremely helpful. Would definitely recommend it. Lovely setting, entrance not very obvious to function room but no problem plenty of people around to ask.

The tasting menu was excellent we highly recommend it.

Excellent in every way. The food and staff were superb. We are already planning a return visit with friends.