PEN-Y-DYFFRYN
Splendid seclusion on the Welsh borders
IT'S CHOCOLATE-BOX PRETTY here, perched 1,000 feet up on Shropshire’s last hill, gazing westwards over a swathe of green towards the mountains of the Welsh borders.
This multiple award-winning hotel – a silver stone Georgian house with five acres of cultivated gardens and a little stream – exudes that far-from-the-madding-crowd tranquillity stressed townies crave. With no passing traffic, only wildlife breaks the silence. It’s enticingly decorated: antiques, log fires, big comfy chairs, fresh flowers and prettily decorated bedrooms, some with spa baths. Food, much of it locally sourced and organic, plays a key role.
There’s an extensive, modestly priced wine list, majoring on the New World and with many champagnes too. Cuisine is adventurous, and bursting with flavour. A terrace is laid for tea, or cocktails in clement weather. Owner Miles Hunter imbues this country hotel with a sense of hospitality and warmth.
Hit the Spot
Secluded spot on the scenic Welsh borders.
Bedtime
Take a Champagne room with a double jacuzzi, or a Master room with private patio.
Be Savvy
Do book well ahead at weekends – it's a sought-after spot.
Be Smitten
It's a hit with country lovers who can keep a secret.
Private coach house
Comfy bedrooms in this hilltop former rectory are designed for deepest slumbers. Each has enticing views and it's hard to choose between them. Many have a jacuzzi or spa bath, while those in the adjacent Coach House enjoy private patios and all-round vistas.
Locally sourced ingredients provide prize fare. Look forward to spiced parsnip and apple soup, rack of Welsh salt-marsh lamb, game, honeycomb ice cream or Welsh cheeses.
You're right on the borders here: turn one way for Wales, and the other for England. Not that Pen-y-Dyffryn is any half-way house. “A retreat so peaceful it’s a crime to publicise it,” as one happy guest enthused. We're inclined to agree.
Pen-y-Dyffryn was reviewed by Room for Romance
This multiple award-winning hotel – a silver stone Georgian house with five acres of cultivated gardens and a little stream – exudes that far-from-the-madding-crowd tranquillity stressed townies crave. With no passing traffic, only wildlife breaks the silence. It’s enticingly decorated: antiques, log fires, big comfy chairs, fresh flowers and prettily decorated bedrooms, some with spa baths. Food, much of it locally sourced and organic, plays a key role.
There’s an extensive, modestly priced wine list, majoring on the New World and with many champagnes too. Cuisine is adventurous, and bursting with flavour. A terrace is laid for tea, or cocktails in clement weather. Owner Miles Hunter imbues this country hotel with a sense of hospitality and warmth.
Hit the Spot
Secluded spot on the scenic Welsh borders.
Bedtime
Take a Champagne room with a double jacuzzi, or a Master room with private patio.
Be Savvy
Do book well ahead at weekends – it's a sought-after spot.
Be Smitten
It's a hit with country lovers who can keep a secret.
Private coach house
Comfy bedrooms in this hilltop former rectory are designed for deepest slumbers. Each has enticing views and it's hard to choose between them. Many have a jacuzzi or spa bath, while those in the adjacent Coach House enjoy private patios and all-round vistas.
Locally sourced ingredients provide prize fare. Look forward to spiced parsnip and apple soup, rack of Welsh salt-marsh lamb, game, honeycomb ice cream or Welsh cheeses.
You're right on the borders here: turn one way for Wales, and the other for England. Not that Pen-y-Dyffryn is any half-way house. “A retreat so peaceful it’s a crime to publicise it,” as one happy guest enthused. We're inclined to agree.
Pen-y-Dyffryn was reviewed by Room for Romance
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Dining in
Pen-y-Dyffryn's restaurant has huge south-facing windows and daily changing menus using local and organic ingredients wherever possible. Chef David Morris's signature dishes include plenty of local game (the hotel even boasts its own deerstalker) and mains such as rack of local Welsh lamb wrapped in filo pastry with a chicken mousse and served with a thyme butter sauce.
Dining out
Sebastian's in nearby Oswestry offers French style menus in a cosy atmosphere.
Where?
Pen-y-Dyffryn's restaurant
What's cooking?
Duck leg confit with crispy Chinese leaves, orange fillets and toasted sesame seed, honey and soy dressing, followed by roasted guinea fowl supreme.
Dress the part
Relax – it's informal
Top table?
Take a window seat for the best garden views
See & Do
Walking, hill riding and trout fishing are some of the big attractions here. Three major National Trust castles – medieval Powis, the 14th century fortress of Chirk and Erdigg at Wrexham – are within reach, as is Wales's highest waterfall at Pistyll Rhaedr, in the Berwyn mountain range. The medieval cities of Chester and Shrewsbury are stuffed with history.
Shop
Head for the Chester Rows – two floors of covered shopping in a historic, half-timbered setting.
After dark
For a really old fashioned local pub (like they used to be when you were too young to know), sink a beer by the log fire at Cross Keys in Selattyn.
Dates
April
Have a giggle at the cartoons and caricatures at the Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.
Pen-y-Dyffryn's restaurant has huge south-facing windows and daily changing menus using local and organic ingredients wherever possible. Chef David Morris's signature dishes include plenty of local game (the hotel even boasts its own deerstalker) and mains such as rack of local Welsh lamb wrapped in filo pastry with a chicken mousse and served with a thyme butter sauce.
Dining out
Sebastian's in nearby Oswestry offers French style menus in a cosy atmosphere.
Where?
Pen-y-Dyffryn's restaurant
What's cooking?
Duck leg confit with crispy Chinese leaves, orange fillets and toasted sesame seed, honey and soy dressing, followed by roasted guinea fowl supreme.
Dress the part
Relax – it's informal
Top table?
Take a window seat for the best garden views
See & Do
Walking, hill riding and trout fishing are some of the big attractions here. Three major National Trust castles – medieval Powis, the 14th century fortress of Chirk and Erdigg at Wrexham – are within reach, as is Wales's highest waterfall at Pistyll Rhaedr, in the Berwyn mountain range. The medieval cities of Chester and Shrewsbury are stuffed with history.
Shop
Head for the Chester Rows – two floors of covered shopping in a historic, half-timbered setting.
After dark
For a really old fashioned local pub (like they used to be when you were too young to know), sink a beer by the log fire at Cross Keys in Selattyn.
Dates
April
Have a giggle at the cartoons and caricatures at the Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Rhydycroesau, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7JD
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Gobowen (near Oswestry) – 4 miles
Taxis
GBP 6 from the station
Airport
Manchester – 55 miles
Rooms and suites
12 rooms
Special features
Some rooms have double jacuzzis, spa baths or private patios. All have wi-fi and great hillside views
Also...
Guests are offered free walking guides, so leave your car parked and head for the hills.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 110 - 160
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
1pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 9.30am
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No children under three
Pets
Dogs welcome
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Miles Hunter
Location
Rhydycroesau, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7JD
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Gobowen (near Oswestry) – 4 miles
Taxis
GBP 6 from the station
Airport
Manchester – 55 miles
Rooms and suites
12 rooms
Special features
Some rooms have double jacuzzis, spa baths or private patios. All have wi-fi and great hillside views
Also...
Guests are offered free walking guides, so leave your car parked and head for the hills.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 110 - 160
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
1pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 9.30am
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No children under three
Pets
Dogs welcome
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Miles Hunter
