The Crown Country Inn - Munslow

Once a traditional Shropshire 'Hundred House', this old Tudor inn still retains many fine features - notably its oak beams, flagstone floors and inglenook fireplace. The first-floor Corvedale Restaurant is highly popular, so it's advisable to book well ahead if you want to sample the full measure of Richard Arnold's cooking.

Many dishes on his regularly changing menu can be ordered as starters or mains (grilled scallops with 'home-mushed' peas, salsa verde and balsamic syrup, for example) or you might begin with a mixed plate of tapas and locally cured meats.

Other high points could include roast rump of local Sibdon lamb with sun-dried tomato polenta, red pesto and caper sauce and loin of Ludlow venison with mustard creamed cabbage, wild mushroom and tarragon jus, while desserts could range from warm spiced banana cake with iced banana parfait to chocolate fondant. Similar food is also available every day (except Monday) in the main bar and its adjoining Bay dining area.