About us
To let you know a little about us, we arrived in Ludlow in November 1997, having, for the previous 16 years, run a restaurant in Stonham, Suffolk, also called Mr Underhill’s. We wanted to move to have letting bedrooms and after much searching, found the perfect location in Ludlow, to develop somewhere that little bit different for you to enjoy a break away without it costing an arm and a leg.
Take a closer look at Mr Underhill's
Who is Mr Underhill?
In 1980 we were given a British Blue Kitten, who we named Frodo, a character from the then lower profile "Lord of the Rings". – In the book, he was given the travelling name of Mr Underhill. Later that year we bought Angel House, Stonham, to open as our first restaurant and we wanted a more memorable name.
Frodo was our talisman, living to be 21, he enjoyed his final years in Ludlow, basking in guests’ attentions and posing for any passing camera. Making page 3 of the Financial Times, being one of his most notable achievements. A difficult act to follow we eventually recruited not one but two british blue kittens – brothers – as yet not quite so proprietorial, but no less lovable.
Who are we?
We are Chris & Judy Bradley, Chris is Chef and maintenance man and Judy looks after the other bits & pieces. 2010 marks our 29th anniversary as Mr Underhill's - seemed like a good idea at the time! Together with our all local team we are here to make a stay or just a meal memorable. We are the only Michelin starred Restaurant with rooms in Ludlow, consequently our phone is often busy, please don't give up if you have difficulty reaching us. If you cannot plan in advance it's always worth a call in case we have a last minute cancellation.
Who says what about us?
We moved to Ludlow because we thought it was a very special place and we are not alone, over the centuries it has received lots of great press. Here are a couple of early '09 quotes.
"John Betjeman called it either England's loveliest small town or finest small town or possibly the perfect small town. No one seems to agree on what he actually said, but no matter, Ludlow may be all three...Two of the big three are now gone so I booked myself into Mr Underhill's, always the best appointed of the lot, nestling on the broad river Teme beneath the eleventh-century castle... still, I suppose you want to know about the food. It was extraordinary..."
Stuart Maconie – Adventures on the High Teas – 2009
"This restaurant-with-rooms has been a fixture of the 'Ludlow phenomenon' for a dozen years. This year has seen the reporters' ratings - always impressive - rise to exceptional levels, making this the best all-round UK restaurant across the board. Now better than ever and even more notable for the sheer perfection it offers."
Harden's UK Restaurants 2010.
A big thank you
All the people and companies in this list have played a big part in our continued success. We hope you find some of them useful, where known, we have included the website details:
www.goodhotelguide.com
Uniquely independent and invaluable to small establishments like us
www.norrisbedding.co.uk
Ultimate comfort
www.volgalinen.co.uk
Pure linen
www.artfulteasing.com
Artisan toiletries
www.naturalsoap.co.uk
Handmade soaps
www.periodhouseshops.com
Clue’s in the name!
www.austinbryan.co.uk
Flowers + inspiration
www.stokesayflowersand
garden.co.uk
Fruit, veg and flowers
Press area
We have a selection of high resolution images available to download. Please contact us for login details, then access our library of images for download here>
Work with us
As part of our upgrade for 2012, we are looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic Chef de Partie. Experience or interest in pastry a real plus. Please call Judy Bradley on 01584 874 431.
Consultancy
From hand-holding to full MOT – from start-up to retirement – we each have 40 years of hotel and restaurant experience to draw on, 30 of those years quietly and successfully running one of the top UK establishments.
Our expertise is available for a modest fee.