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.

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

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

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.


Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 9.30am

Room service
Available morning and evening



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.

Diary 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

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 110 - 160

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
1pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
No

Children
No children under three

Pets
Dogs welcome

Air conditioning
No

Wedding license?
No