Soulton Hall in the Press: Media Reviews
The Guardian's Directory of Britain's finest B&Bs
The following entry appeared in the above directory:
"Soulton Hall is set in 500 acres of its own private park and farm land and has been run by the Ashton family since 1556. Guests have access to most of the Estate, which includes 50 acres of oak woodland, Soulton Brook, the River Roden, the archaeological remains of Bronze-age ring ditch and a medieval castle. The eight bedrooms have mullioned windows, oak floors, beams and wood panelling. "Soulton Hall is set in a timeless, peaceful rural location and provides charming spacious rooms, full English breakfast, superb candle-lit dinners. Soulton Hall is a distinctly special place thriving on personal service."
The Shropshire Magazine Article: "Where Good Food Flies the Flag"
This article, by Neil Thomas, appeared in the Shropshire Magazine:
"A county tourist guide proclaims Soulton Hall as Shropshire's hidden gem and one of its best kept secrets. Well it's certainly a gem but, at first glance, it seems odd to describe as 'hidden' an imposing Tudor-bricked mansion in the middle of flat north Shropshire countryside and just three miles from the A49, one of Britain's busiest trunk roads. We certainly had no trouble finding it. Yet I know what the brochure is driving at.
The sign at the gate is unimposing to the extent that potential passing trade might assume it's a farmhouse and continue passing. It is beautifully unspoilt, a relaxing haven from workaday existence with an old-fashioned modesty about it... I am all for this refreshing absence of 'in your face' commercialism...
If you are looking for spice soaked fiddly little twirls of this, that and the other lost in the centre of dinner plates the size of bike wheels then dine elsewhere... What Soulton Hall offers is a decent plateful of well-prepared food which makes a virtue of using manly British ingredients. Vanessa started with stuffed mushrooms, a tasty and succulent opener while I enjoyed a delightfully creamy fish chowder. The white bread accompanying the dishes was beautifully fresh.
We washed our starters down with an enjoyably crisp Chablis before further cleaning our palates with a refreshing lime sorbet in sparkling wine - a thoughtful touch.
Vanessa chose pork in a cider sauce for her main course and tucked into a sizable helping. She found the meat was tender and succulent while the sharpness of the sauce provided a refreshing contrast.
I opted for honey roast duck and was served several slices in a rich sauce. Again, the meat was beautifully tender and the sauce, with a pleasant lingering after-taste created a stimulating contrast of flavours.
Sauteed and mashed potatoes, red cabbage, leeks and carrots, all freshly prepared to perfection, accompanied our meat. For desert Vanessa enjoyed a beautifully sweet honeycomb ice cream while I drooled over a tangy orange and chocolate mousse. We washed it down with a first for us - red wine from the Lebanon. The 1997 Château Musar vintage from the Bekka Valley proved richly-flavoured and went down very smoothly.Afterwards it was back to the crackling log fire in the mullion-windowed lounge for fresh coffee and mints and to relax in historic surroundings."
"A superb country manor...luxurious guest accommodation" - Country Living Magazine
"Idyllic retreat" - The Observer
Seventh in AA top ten bed and breakfasts.
