Travel review: Fishmore Hall, Ludlow

After a day out in the Brecon Beacons, we arrived at the hotel early evening, pulling into the drive, the 1820s white house stands on the left, with a grand pillared entrance.

Upon arrival, my wife Emma and I were shown to our newly renovated room on the second floor, one of their executive rooms with a double ended bath and shower en-suite, and a large bed, big enough for three, which gave us a very comfortable night’s sleep.

As you walk around the hotel, almost every window has a picturesque view of the Shropshire hills. It’s so quiet outside too, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Only the occasional moo to break the silence.

Their attention to detail is high. From the ironing of the table cloths in the restaurant, to the spirit levelled flat box hedges outside (unless the gardener has an unbelievable eye).

We were booked in for dinner in their fine dining restaurant that evening. Offering a la carte and tasting menus, the hotel’s Forelles restaurant, boasting three AA rosettes, serves high quality, delicious food.

In autumn last year it was also named in the top 10 restaurants in the Midlands by the Good Food Guide, so with these awards they must be doing something right.

Before eating, the restaurant doesn’t shout out that it’s fine dining and still has the relaxing feel of the hotel, however, little did we know the delicious experience we were in store for.

The food really is exquisite, the presentation is faultless, and from our experience you can see why they have recently reinstated their three AA rosettes.

Complements to the chef, Joe Gould that is, who joined the hotel as head chef in autumn 2017.

It makes sense that Fishmore is only a stone’s throw away from Ludlow, and I’m sure is now high up on the list, among some stiff competition from the renowned foodie haven of Ludlow.

We chose to eat from the a la carte menu and what a treat it was, starting with a goat’s curd starter for me and celeriac for Emma – a delightful start which got us very excited for the rest of the meal.

For mains I had the lamb dish and Emma chose the chicken, cooked with hay which is presented under a glass lid of the hay smoke, very impressive.

The lamb was served in two forms, a breast and a sort of warm terrine, so rich in flavour with the sweetbreads and black garlic running through it. All to go with great wine recommended by the waitress to pair with our dishes, everything worked really well.

Dessert time, Emma chose the baked Alaska which again had an exciting arrival, sprayed with caramel liquor at the table and lit to create a perfect char on the meringue.

I chose a cheese board, a set of bread and crackers served alongside four delicious cheeses and a glass of port was the perfect way to end the meal.

After a very pleasant night’s sleep. we headed down to breakfast. Looking forward to it after the quality of our evening meal. they did not disappoint. With the views of the hills from the windows on a beautiful sunny winter’s morning, we both chose a full English and were ready for the day.

On to explore part of the hotel I haven’t even mentioned as yet, the SPAShell. Located just across a patio, the lovely wooden lodge is a great intimate spa and perfect to add to your trip at Fishmore Hall.

Emma chose to have the ELEMIS Garden of England Rose Restore Massage and I chose the Lava Shell Thermal Relax Experience, both 55-minute treatments and £65. Feeling very relaxed after our treatments, we went through to the sauna and steam rooms before going outside to their large barrel hot tub on the decking area with wonderful views of rolling hills, feeling very remote. A lovely, relaxing moment appreciating the surrounding area.

Our relaxing stay had to come to an end, but not wanting to go home just yet, we drove a few minutes into the centre of Ludlow. A short walk up the hill from the car park and you’re in the charming streets of Ludlow. Lined with old pubs, delightful homeware shops, a traditional butchers and a Sunday market full of all sorts of antiques and vintage knick-knacks in the square outside the castle, it is a great way to spend the day.

For lunch, we visited CSONS at The Green Cafe, on the edge of the river, a great setting for a lunch made from locally sourced ingredients. We had delicious Thai-style squash, sesame and peanut soup, served with some rustic bread. Will definitely return here.

We came across a shop called Black Bough near the butchers which Emma fell in love with, stocking all sorts of household items, stationery, art, books and seemed to specialise in vintage watches, one to visit if you get the chance.

So a very relaxing, escape from the stresses, weekend was had, and with places like this being on the doorstep, why do we not visit more?

Fishmore Hall, Ludlow Road, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3DP

01584 875 148 reception@fishmorehall.co.uk

www.fishmorehall.co.uk. Rooms from £175 B&B per room per night