Shropshire thrills! Lose yourself in the wonders of a county named one of the top destinations in the WORLD

The devil may have the best tunes, but he’s lost ownership of the finest seat. I’m perched on a slab of stone on a craggy tor known as the Devil’s Chair.

Legend has it that the old grump was carrying these very stones, which make up the Shropshire Stiperstones, in his apron.

The story goes that he stopped for a breather, and promptly dropped them all.

To the east is the moorland plateau of Long Mynd.

In the foreground are the rolling hills of Ratlinghope, sheep dotting green fields with curlews overhead.

Kate visits the Devil’s Chair, pictured, a craggy tor on the Shropshire Stiperstones

These Shropshire Hills, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have stayed largely unchanged for millennia.

Little wonder, perhaps, that the county of Shropshire was recently named one of the ten global destinations to watch by the Association of British Travel Agents.

My base is the thriving market town of Ludlow. More than 70 years ago, the poet John Betjeman described it as ‘probably the loveliest town in England’ — and I tend to agree.

Ludlow is midway between Shrewsbury to the north and Hereford to the south, and about 15 miles from the Welsh border.

Amid the many blue-plaqued or listed buildings are modern, upmarket delis, as well as chic homeware shops and cafes.

I’m staying at The Feathers, which has a fine, timbered Tudor facade. Downstairs it’s all cosy wood panelling and friendly service, and generous (huge) meals.

Upstairs the bedrooms are more modern and extremely comfortable with vast, luxurious beds. It’s a good HQ for a few days’ exploration of the town and the surrounding countryside.

Kate bases herself in Ludlow, above, which poet John Betjeman called the ‘loveliest town in England’

The Feathers Hotel in Ludlow has a ‘fine, timbered Tudor facade’, says Kate 

Above, one of the modern bedrooms at The Feathers Hotel

I’m joined by Martin, who runs Shropshire Tours. After the Stiperstones, we visit Much Wenlock, about 20 miles north-east of Ludlow.

Here, Martin tells me of Dr William Penny Brookes, who lived locally and was a firm believer in the benefits of exercise.

Inspired by his surroundings, he formed the Wenlock Olympian Society in 1850, a forerunner for the Olympics and still going strong.

Its current president is Olympic triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards.

What with making the prestigious ‘top ten destination list’ these are golden times for the West Midlands county.