Shropshire and the Cotswolds are places full of gorgeous greenery and historic, picturesque villages, perfect for anyone looking for variety with their staycation. Hike and discover the outstanding natural beauty of the Shropshire Hills or visit the quintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone in the Cotswold – there is something for everyone.
Lucky for you, we have two Great Inns of Britain in this beautiful part of the UK. The Hundred House Hotel and The King’s Head, both surrounded by the classic British countryside and have plenty surrounding to explore.
If you are looking to visit the Cotswolds or Shropshire this summer, there is no need to look any further than these two inns!
A charming, family run hotel in Norton, situated in the rolling countryside close to Shropshire’s beautiful Severn Valley, there is plenty to keep you busy at the Hundred House Hotel.
Throughout the inn, you can smell the lasting aroma of drying herbs and flowers grown in the Hotel’s own garden. Guest can explore the garden, full of diverse flowers, trees, and herbaceous plants, with over 100 varieties of herbs, which provide the seasonal tastes to the kitchen.
With 9 individually decorated rooms, most with four poster or half tester beds and chandeliers, you’ll enjoy a stay of luxury at the Hundred House Hotel. Many rooms also have the famous Hundred House swing hanging from the oak beams – their quirky deco even helped the Hundred House Hotel to win a coveted Cesar award for ‘utterly enjoyable mild eccentricity’.
Just a 10-minute drive to the Irongbridge Gorge, you can visit many of its museums. You can even step into the past at Blists Hill Victorian Town and experience life as it was over 100 years ago.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do around Shropshire. Close by is the Dudmaston Estate, where you can pass through enchanted wooded parkland and sweeping gardens, which provide amazing vistas and tranquillity. The orchard is also the perfect place to relax whilst letting the children go and play.
You could also choose to go to the spectacular Weston Park, which has all the grandeur of an English stately home, but with a very modern outlook. In the summer they even have a miniature railway that takes visitors on a ride past lakes and woodland in Temple Wood.
Why not journey to the 16th century inn, the King’s Head? Voted ‘Inn of the Year 2021’ for the second year in a row, this inn was originally built as a Cider House and situated in the idyllic village green in Bledington.
Owners Archie and Nicola Orr-Ewing have devoted a huge amount of time and energy into restoring and improving this beautiful pub. With Cotswold stone walls, old oak beams, flagstone floors and the inglenook fireplace dominating the end of the bar, it is fair to say they succeeded!
Relax outside with a drink and their outstanding, traditional British food. Cooked with the freshest ingredients, locally sourced, creating the best dishes for guests.
If you want to venture out, you can step out and enjoy all that the Cotswolds has to offer. Hire a bike from the inn, and explore the surrounded historic market towns and villages, or you can go further a field in the car and visit the exciting Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens. Full of fascinating wildlife, from giraffes to Chilean flamingos.
Passionate about food? The Daylesford Farm Cookery School offers classic cooking courses, from quick and simple suppers to more specialised courses like nose to tail butchery. These imaginative courses will inspire you to create your own incredible dishes when you are back home, and you want a taste of the Cotswolds again.
