Stay the night: The Lion and Pheasant, Shrewsbury Saturday 9 April 2011 23:00 BST Stay the night: The Lion and Pheasant, Shrewsbury There is no doubt that bringing the Lion and Pheasant to its present state was a labour of love.But for its owner, Dorothy Chidlow, the relationship has proved to be an enduring marriage rather than a fling. When she bought the 16th-century inn in the 1970s, the building, once a stop-off on the coach route from London to Ireland, was so run down that all operations in the hospitality trade had ceased and it was being used as a depot for a car parts dealer. But Dorothy and her husband saw this potential in the higgledy-piggledy collection of eight historic houses and, after several years of renovation work, it reopened as a hotel in 1984. The story doesn't end there, though. After years of being leased, the Lion and Pheasant had deteriorated again. Troubled by what had become of it, Dorothy took ownership again two years ago and roped in her daughter, Rachel, a Dublin-based interior designer, to give it new life once more.

The resulting hotel, bar and restaurant opened last November and drove a blast of fresh, exceedingly stylish air through Shrewsbury's social scene. There are hints of Scandinavia and France in the design, with fresh flowers (posies of snowdrops when I visited), candles and a light paint scheme cosied up with lots of wood. The overall effect is so calming that you can almost hear yourself sigh as you cross the threshold. Contemporary in style but packed with character, the hotel's 22 rooms (12 opened in November, 10 at the end of February) neatly embrace the history of the building. Reached via a warren of stairs, skewed floors, odd old corners and architectural curiosities, each is slightly different. Some have fireplaces, baths and silk furnishings, others seagrass flooring, linen blinds, painted wood furniture and riverside views. The loft suite is the one to book for a special occasion. Set in what was once the inn's laundry, it boasts a canopy of lovely old beams and a slipper bath.

All are warm and relaxing with furniture sourced from local junk and antique shops, pots of homemade shortbread, Clipper teas and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Ask for a room at the back of the building, away from the road, if you're a light sleeper. The food and drink The bar here is possibly the cosiest in the county – and certainly one of the most stylish with its mix of wood and metal and a gorgeous open fireplace. Drinks range from real ales such as Shropshire Gold (£1.50) to Prosecco by the glass (£4.30), classic cocktails (£5 to £7) and a carefully crafted wine list with bottles ranging from £15 to £34, or up to £250 for champagne. (Many of the wines are sourced from Tanners, a specialist wine merchants, just over the road.) The restaurant is split between the ground and first floor (get there early to grab a table by the fire) and serves modern European food – game terrine with toasted sourdough (£5.95), salad niçoise with freshly seared tuna (£8.50) and fish pie with winter greens (£13.95) – elegantly put together and served by young, enthusiastic staff.

Also upstairs is the Crystal Suite, a fancier, chandelier-decked room for events, private dining and, sometimes, extra restaurant space. There's also a small outside terrace, though it overlooks the car park. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi. (Ask for a code at reception.) There's also free parking for about 10 cars behind the hotel, though it's only 10 minutes' walk from Shrewsbury railway station, so many guests opt to leave the car behind.tecno blinds azcapotzalco Children are welcome but the building's old-style, multi-level architecture and narrow staircases mean a lift – and, therefore, wheelchair access – just isn't possible. kesla blinds and flooring B&B in a double room costs from £95 per night.basic blindz vinyl mini blinds

The Lion and Pheasant, 50 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 1XJ (01743 770345; lionandpheasant.co.uk).The requested URL /clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1605 was not found on this server. 13.1K Photos and videosViewing Tweets won't unblock @wfaachannel8.Full text of "The traditional games of England, Scotland and Ireland : with tunes, singing rhymes and methods of playing according to the variants extant and recorded in different parts of the kingdom" HomePlaces to eat in Shrewsbury Most people rave about this place - as you will probably see from the other reviews. This one cuts against the grain then. Good bits: the pub interior is "old pub type" and it's lack of care somehow adds to it's attractiveness - to some -in reality virtually nothing has been spent on this pub in the last 20 years... Still have tears in my eyes thinking about the spicy pickled onions that accompanied the porkpie and mustard - if you can eat half of one of these bad boys without crying then you are more of a man than me!

(pie and mustard and picked onions were all superb though) Washed down with a cracking pint of Timothy Taylor's... Called here for a pint or three , proper pub great atmosphere good pint great staff and a busy friendly crowd , nice to go into a pub that still retains a welcoming atmosphere really enjoyed a couple of pints here l While staying in Shrewsbury the other week we started using this pub as our "local ". A friendly place with local real ale. Especially liked the fine dining - pork pie, pickled onion and mustard. Dropped in on a warm afternoon after a 4 hour drive. Only stopped for a quick cold one, good selection of beers and a nice beer garden unexpected. Friendly staff, has the potential to become a good local if you lived in the area! Shrewsbury is a lovely interesting town. This pub was recommended to us by bar staff from another pub. On entering this small pub, I was a bit confused as it looked like someone's front room. The beauty on the pub however lie 'round the back'.

Just to the right of the bar was a small corridoor, which we took to a rear bar... I've been in a lot of pubs in my time, never have I been in one where the landlord and the regulars were as helpful as the locals at this establishment. Importantly the beer was greeeeeeeat. This is a well regarded pub but seems in need of an uplift. Good choice of beers but some a bit cloudy and not many in the pub. But it was a quiet midweek evening. Not a good test and I know it is busier at weekends. Nic and quiet if that is what you want but it can't survive... Local pub super friendly staff we met Debbie on Friday who is the landlords sister lovely lady the place is a good old fashioned pub full of locals dogs and the cat who calls in to have a nap ;) the rear is a nice beer garden with a 14 century ruins still partly intact we also met the landlord... Welcoming bar staff, excellent beers and wine.Nothing too much trouble.A beautiful garden area outside at the back, with a Tudor wall complete with wattle and daub absolutely delightful.