Buckatree Hall Hotel

We had a really lovely stay. The room was clean and nice, and the reception team and other staff we spoke to were welcoming. The restaurant was closed, but they suggested nearby places to eat. I’d recommend the new dun cow in trench for an amazing Indian grill. It made a lovely little woodland retreat, and we’ll definitely come back. Next time we’d love to book one of the balcony rooms and wake up to the view of the Wrekin. Looking forward to returning in February while we’re on the hunt for a wedding venue.

There was no working lift, restaurant, or bar. Whenever we checked, the bar was shut. The room smelled of something smoky, though not tobacco, and there was ash on the windowsills. One tea and coffee cup was dirty, and there was only one, so I had to ask for another and we washed it before using it. We paid £80 a night expecting a bar in the evening and breakfast in the morning, but neither was available. We’d booked directly for three nights while I needed to be in Telford. The hotel looked great online and was only a few minutes away by car, but don’t be fooled. It took them 20 minutes to find our booking, and nobody mentioned that the bar and restaurant were unavailable. We had a lovely dinner at the Huntsman in little Wenlock and asked if they could do breakfast too. When we told them where we were staying, they said yes, they all understood. We were told Buckatree Hall Hotel had been going downhill for a while. Someone also said it might have been earmarked for housing refugees, but I don’t know how true that is. They offered 10% off a future booking, but it expired at the end of the month we stayed, so that was no use.

The bed was firm and comfortable, and we both slept soundly. Still, I wouldn’t choose to stay here again or recommend it. There’s a lot that needs improving. In better hands, this could be a beautiful hotel, but at the moment it sadly isn’t. We booked at the last minute and arrived late in the evening. At check-in we were told the heating wasn’t working and asked if that was acceptable, as no refund would be possible once we checked in. We asked to see how warm the room was before deciding, and they let us. The corridors smelled strongly of tobacco and weed. The first room would have been too cold for me to sleep in, so they offered us the last available room, a “4 poster bed” room. We checked its temperature too. It was a little warmer, and given how late it was, we agreed to stay for the night. The room was basic and needed updating. There was mold on the bathroom ceiling and shower curtain. For two people, the bathroom had just one sample-sized shampoo and one conditioner, with no hand soap. There was also an opened packet of tobacco in the dresser drawer.

There wasn’t any food during my visit, though a takeaway menu from a local Indian restaurant was available. I found an old stain on the bedsheet. It’s a low-budget hotel that’s seen better days.