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hand picked restaurants

Among the extraordinary crop of really good restaurants which has been sown in that wonderful piece of old England called Ludlow, The Clive Restaurant is a relatively late entry, however, it has become renowned for its modern British cuisine and, as a result, it has been awarded two AA Rosettes as well as entries in the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide. There is an emphasis on the use of fresh produce ranging from local meats and vegetables.

It is situated just 2 miles north of Ludlow, on the A49 at Bromfield. They cater for most tastes, with the restaurant offering very good food at affordable prices, whilst alternatively the Clive Arms bar offers a range of light snacks.

Some eight or so main courses offer good variety along with a decent range of starters and desserts. A sensible wine list of some 70 bins supports the culinary delights, of which four reds and four whites are classified as house wines and presented in large or standard glasses at competitive prices.

The Clive represents a refreshing approach to the provision of good, wholesome food in an unfussy and practical manner.

Just when you thought that there must be something missing from the restaurant scene in Ludlow, suddenly you find that it has even got a Japanese restaurant - a rarity in the Shropshire rural areas.

It is owned by a delightful Japanese lady, Mari Kure, who along with her staff makes you feel very special indeed, and if you don't know anything about Japanese food, don't be concerned as they would be very happy to explain everything to you and even have a helpful leaflet on the table.

The décor is fairly minimal, but comfortably so; and the place only seats around twenty eight people, but even so there is plenty of choice on the menu, with excellent sushi in the evening on the four course £22 menu.

Scenic and breathtaking locales form the backdrop at The Bringewood, a converted farm building where traditional elements coexist peacefully alongside modern day comforts. Much of the original charm is retained in the rooms as well as the buildings while the Michelin recommended Oaktree Restaurant offers sumptuous meals, be they at breakfast or dinner. With its quaint and attractive décor, the restaurant also has a rear patio that is perfect for al fresco dining.

Get a fresh start to the morning with porridge, locally made sausages, poached or scrambled eggs and fresh fruits while later in the day, starters might include venison, lamb kidneys and Ludlow sausage in a red wine sauce. For main course, you could opt for a roast breast of Gressingham duck with a raspberry reduction and finish with saffron and lavender crème brûlée with pistachio shortbread. There is a selection of fine wines and draught beers which accompany the meal suitably.

If you thought a visit to Ludlow is complete once you've explored its many historic attractions you could be wrong, for its ancient streets are home to some very well-known dining destinations and many people refer to it as the gastronomic capital of Shropshire.

The Unicorn is a charming dining venue that attracts diners with its black-and-white exterior and offers the services of a spacious bar, a gallery kitchen, and the Oak Room to enjoy pub games and private parties.

The Unicorn's regularly changing menu is built around seasonally available local produce and it is clear that food is an important part of the business. Consider the chef's homemade soup served piping hot with Ludlow bread and butter to give your meal a soothing start. Move on to a main course of deliciously rich local braised lamb shanks or enjoy the house special fish pie made to a traditional recipe with cod, salmon, smoked haddock, prawn and free range eggs before signing off with the dark chocolate torte served with fresh cream.

Ludlow Brewery and Wye Valley Brewery supply The Unicorn with exciting lagers, mild, Guiness and real ales.