Latest news with #PenallyAbbey
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Yahoo
18 beautiful restaurants restaurants in Wales that are stunning settings for a meal
Wales has its fair share of amazing restaurants, some of which have become popular with locals and visitors alike, others have received international recognition and received countless awards. And sometimes, we are lucky enough to enjoy their delicious food and impeccable surroundings. While some restaurants may focus very much on our amazing coastlines and countryside, others look closer to home to create a memorable culinary experience. From unique artwork to impeccable architecture, cosy atmosphere, rich history or modern decor, there are plenty of restaurants in Wales that offer good food in vibrant indoor settings. Here is a list of the best restaurants in Wales with the most beautiful interiors. READ MORE: This pub has been named the best in Wales in a village with some of the best views you will find READ MORE: Town just off the M4 motorway has a bright pink shop people travel miles for, and that's not even the best thing about it Alternatively, you can read our guide to the restaurants with the most amazing views here. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here. Rhosyn means 'rose' in Welsh and while you'll find plenty of those in the garden, beauty can also be found within the walls of the restored country house of Penally Abbey in Pembrokeshire. The small restaurant is bursting with character - from its beautiful wallpaper to its fireplace and arched window frames. The menu is just as memorable as its decor, having made it onto the Michelin guide, its review reads: "The gorgeous setting provides a calming atmosphere in which to dine, with a tasting menu or an à la carte to choose from. "The seasonally guided cooking is modern in execution but rooted in tried-and-tested flavours we all know and love. Pembrokeshire is well-represented on the menu, so look out for delicious local lamb and some superb new potatoes." Llanerch Vineyard blends rural charm with modern elegance, with its Roots Restaurant offering a refined interior. The award winning restaurant in the Vale of Glamorgan has a beautiful tree display, a trendy bar and comfy seating. It's no wonder this venue is a popular destination for weddings, weekend getaways and wine lover alike who are seeking quiet luxury in the middle of the countryside. On a summer's day, there's no better place to enjoy a beautifully crafted meal with a glass of wine while overlooking the rows of neat vines that stretch across the landscape outside. This pub is centuries old but is still as popular as ever. Built in 1522, its the oldest pub in the Gwynedd town. While the pub has long been praised for its selection of pub classic dishes and drinks, the inn itself is steeped in history which is clearly etched in its interior. When you walk in, you feel like you've stepped back in time with its exposed beams, low cut doorways, feature fireplaces and low lighting which gives it a candle-lit feel. Paternoster Farm in the village of Hundleton, Pembrokeshire has been hailed as serving some of the very best food in Wales and has received rave reviews by the likes of the Good Food Guide, The Times and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Situated in a former cowshed, the restaurant has a rustic charm to it, quirky in its decor, but remains cosy and homely. While Portmeirion may look impressive from the outside, it is just as interesting from within. Its Town Hall Cafe has a retro 50s style diner, while the hotel near the estuary offers luxury and elegance with its lounges and dining room. The genius behind the creation of Portmeirion village was architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who acquired the land in 1925. Clough was a tireless campaigner for the environment and was also an advocate of rural preservation, amenity planning, industrial design and colourful architecture. His first job was to extend and convert the old house on the shore into a grand hotel. Portmeirion Hotel is recognised as a Grade II listed building. This building on Crwys Road has been many things in its lifetime; a coal exchange building, an aquatics shop and a car dealership. But now it is one of the trendiest coffee shops in Cardiff, which has its own roastery and roof terrace. As you step inside, you'll be welcomed by the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans drifting through the modern, cool space. The downstairs area has retained its industrial charm, with exposed brickwork and high ceilings. But it's upstairs where the real treat is. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, and head upstairs to see the sprawling views of the Welsh capital. This Michelin guide restaurant is situated in the former sorting room of the old Post Office, which was once filled with handwritten letters and brown paper packages. Today, the restaurant is adorned with glittering chandeliers, plush leather sofas and intimate lighting. One of Wales' most opulent hotels, when visitors enter Palé Hall, they are greeted by original features such as wood panelling, ornate ceilings, and antique furnishings, all blending seamlessly with modern amenities to create a luxurious ambiance. The hotel includes the main hall, the Robertson dining room, the Seasons room with its ornate ceiling, a library and the Huntsman bar and bistro. Plas Dinas was once the former home of the Armstrong-Jones family before it was converted to a hotel and restaurant. The hotel's acclaimed Gunroom Restaurant has made it onto the Michelin guide and two Rosettes for culinary excellence amongst other accolades over the years. Plas Dinas Country House was purchased by Daniel and Annie Perks in 2019 after they fell in love with the former Royal retreat. In the 1960s, this Gwynedd home served as a retreat for Lord Snowdon, formerly Anthony Armstrong-Jones, and Princess Margaret, providing a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of London life. A dining experience here is like no other, with guests able to take a tour of the country home before dining at The Gunroom. The house still retains many of the Armstrong-Jones' family portraits, memorabilia and original furniture. Bacareto, is a cafe bar inspired by traditional Venetian cafes - bàcari. It serves delicious, simple seasonal food and drink in a creative and social space. The cafe has a relaxed and casual feel to it, with interesting wall art and posters on the wall and vibrant splashes of blue, yellow and orange in different sections. Skenfrith is a picture-perfect retreat in the Welsh countryside, but for many, hotel and restaurant The Bell at Skenfrith is the highlight of their visit to this corner of Monmouthshire. In 2024, its beer garden was named as one of the best in the UK by Time Out magazine. But on the inside, this 17th century inn has a cosy feel to it, exposed beams, a big fireplace and comfortable seating area. This award-winning restaurant and hotel had to make it onto the list. Its cosy yet stylish decor overlooks the fairytale grounds overlooking the vast Pembrokeshire countryside. For just the day, this place is perfect for an afternoon tea. Its Artisan Room is light and airy, making it the ideal place to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable experience. But if you want to stay, each bedroom at The Grove is individually designed, with a modern twist on a traditional Welsh country house. It's modern, classy and elegant and the perfect place dishes that champion the very best of local produce in this corner of Ynys Mon. "A home from home to eat, gather & sleep," it reads. "Think cosy corners, log fires & stylish interiors." On Copper Hall Beach in Saundersfoot, you'll find Lan y Môr restaurant - beautiful on the outside and on the inside. Its modern architecture invites the breathtaking natural surroundings of the area, with large windows overlooking the beach and sea, with faux trees scattered around the restaurant area complemented by sleek and modern tables and chairs for diners. This restaurant is the only eatery in Wales to achieve two Michelin stars. Its modern and simplistic dining room area provides an impeccable backdrop to the dishes that are served from the open kitchen. The Fanny Talbot on Barmouth high street in Gwynedd was opened as a gastro pub on the site of the old Lion Hotel in July 2023. Since then, the establishment has been garnering praise far and wide, offering "informal fine dining" with MasterChef finalist Owen Vaughan at the helm. The bar area is an inviting spot, decorated with blue tiles, while the dining area showcases beautiful stained glass windows. On the front near Llandudno's promenade, Dylan's restaurant is situated in the old Washington Hotel. The former hotel has a distinctive dome above its corner entrance. During the 20th century, it became a nightclub but closed in 2012. Five years later, Dylan's decided to open their third branch in Llandudno. Inside the restaurant, you'll find a huge low-relief map, which nearly covers one wall upstairs. This was sculpted by Jane Evans and is based on the work of Thomas Condor in 1784 titled 'New and Correct Map of North Wales'. Twr y Felin Hotel in St David's is Wales' first art hotel. There are numerous commissioned paintings and sculptures, with some showcased at its AA three rosette restaurant, Blas. Impressively, there are over 150 original artworks here, with work by Remi Rough, Mr Jago, Phil Ashcroft and more.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
'Quietly glamourous' Pembrokeshire seaside hotel among UK's best places to stay
Located just out of Tenby, overlooking the sea you will find a "cosy", "romantic" and "quietly glamourous" hotel named among the best places to stay in the UK. From Scottish castles and revamped Welsh inns to coastal bolt holes in North Yorkshire, The Times has released its annual list of the 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK. Introducing the list, The Times said: "Every year, our team of experienced reviewers stay at hundreds of properties across the UK and we cherrypick the best for our annual survey. "Whittling down our long list is always tough but this year the standard was so high it was even harder to choose the final 100. "It caused some headaches for us but means that you can look forward to some fabulous breaks in 2025. "Excellence in design, facilities and value for money — whatever the room rate — are always key considerations, but two other vital criteria stood out this year: dining and service. "We have been impressed with how restaurant kitchens have risen to the challenge of food-price hikes to produce ever more creative and delicious dishes. "We had more memorable meals on the road this year than ever before, including a very fine one at the Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, still going strong as it celebrates its 50th year. "It was also heartwarming to see hotels up their game on service, the intangible, deal-breaking measure of any property." The Welsh establishments among the best places to stay in the UK, according to The Times, are: Harbourmaster (Ceredigion) - Wales Hotel of the Year The Angel Hotel (Monmouthshire) - Best Foodie Hotel in the UK Penally Abbey (Pembrokeshire) Plas Dinas Country House (Gwynedd) Penmaenuchaf (Gwynedd) Inn at the Sticks (Carmarthenshire) You can see the full list of the best places to stay in the UK for 2025 by visiting The Times website. Penally Abbey describes itself as "a cosy hotel overlooking the sea" while The Times adds its "the pick of hotels around Tenby." Explaining why, the news outlets writes: "The best stays are always the most personal. That's why this late-Georgian rectory at the far end of South beach remains the pick of hotels around Tenby. "Melanie and Lucas Boissevain, both still hands-on over a decade after they bought the place in 2014, have created a stay that's all heart and soul. "Who but an interior designer (Melanie) would bring such panache to public spaces? "Oversized prints are on inky walls in a handsome drawing room and there's an almost theatrical flair to decor in the restaurant, Rhosyn." The Times continues: "The dozen rooms are more restrained, all coastal creams and soft greys to match the sky and sea outside. "Put it all together and you've the perfect weekender: escapist, romantic, quietly glamorous." Penally Abbey has also been well received by guests, boasting a 4.5 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 455 reviews. RECOMMENDED READING: Pembrokeshire coastal trail with ruined chapel and pub at end among UK's best The 2 'small and boutique' Pembrokeshire hotels named among the best in the UK The 'little-known hip place' in Pembrokeshire revealed among the best in Britain 'Instant heart-stealer': Adopted town in Pembrokeshire among Britain's prettiest One person, commenting on their stay, said: "Wow! Amazing from start to finish. The room, the service, and the food was excellent. "Harry and all the staff couldn't do enough for us. A stunning location with Tenby a short walk away over South Beach. "Would definitely recommend and we will be back soon." For more details or to book a stay (or a meal) visit the Penally Abbey website (a link to which can be found above).
