If you’re looking for a good inn for eating, drinking or sleeping, this is a good place to start. The Great Inns of Britain has added four more properties to their leading collection of independently owned country and coastal inns.
The new members are:
- The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell
- Castle Hotel, Conwy
- The West Arms, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog (near Wrexham)
- Wolfscastle Country Hotel, Haverfordwest
These latest additions take the total membership to 20 and increases the geographical spread of the members across Wales. All of the inns are multi-award winners and membership of the Great Inns of Britain is by invitation only from the existing members.
Located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, The Bear Hotel is a former coaching inn dating back to 1432 where historic features include the cobbled forecourt, an archway into the inner courtyard and 19th century stagecoach timetable in the bar. The low-beamed, dog-friendly bar is the social hub of Crickhowell, whilst locally sourced ingredients grace the award-winning restaurant menu, which mixes classic dishes with contemporary influences.
Built on the site of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey, Castle Hotel is located in the UNESCO World Heritage walled town of Conwy. Former patrons of the hotel, which has 27 bedrooms, include William Wordsworth, Samuel Johnson and Charlotte Brontë – who honeymooned at the Castle.
The West Arms is a 16th century Drovers’ Inn, nestled in the sleepy village of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, within the Ceiriog Valley, which was once described by LLoyd George as “a little piece of heaven on earth.” The West Arms’ selection of 17 bedrooms all have views overlooking the scenic surroundings.
Wolfscastle Country Hotel occupies an historic site in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s countryside, overlooking the Cleddau and Anghof rivers, and is next to the Norman castle from which the village and hotel take their names. During the 19th century, a local coaching inn, known as the Sealyham Arms, sat on the promontory, and there are still some traces of the original building in the hotel today. The Brasserie and the Allt yr Afon restaurant have been awarded two AA Rosettes.
The Great Inns of Britain was first established in 1996 by Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of The Boar’s Head in Ripley, north Yorkshire and the late Paul Whittome, who was the owner of The Hoste Arms at Burnham Market in Norfolk.
The aim was, and remains, to bring together like-minded Inn Keepers with a strong commitment to upholding the best traditions of inn-keeping, and to continuous investment and improvement.
For further information on The Great Inns of Britain visit www.greatinns.co.uk.
