North Wales is an excellent destination for a holiday or a short, relaxing break. Stunning scenery and plenty of things to see and do.
I recently stayed at Tyddyn Llan which is in the small village of Llandrillo. Not far from the main A5 route into North Wales but far enough to experience a real rural location and an excellent restaurant with rooms! Tyddyn Llan is one of Wales’s most renowned restaurants set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park in the beautiful Vale of Edeyrnion.
A RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS
This really is a great way to experience excellent food in elegant surroundings. There’s 12 bedrooms and a ground floor garden suite. I had room 2, a large en-suite first floor room with a view over the main entrance. There’s 3 acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens which you can walk around and super views of the Berwyn Mountains in the distance. There’s an ornamental pond in the grounds, a croquet lawn and a delightful terrace with tables and chairs adjoining the restaurant.
INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED GUEST ROOMS
All guest rooms have been individually designed with all the extras needed for a memorable stay. Rooms have TV, DVD and CD players, radio, wi-fi, telephone, Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy dressing gowns, slippers and bath/shower toiletries. Dogs can be taken by prior arrangement.
GREAT FOOD, WARM HOSPITALITY, AND A NEW OWNER
Renowned chef Gareth Stevenson has been running the hotel and restaurant on behalf of the new owner since July. Gareth brings to the restaurant his desire to support local producers and source quality ingredients and growing food in the kitchen garden. At Palé Hall, a North Wales restaurant where he was Head Chef for seven years, his initiatives led to a Michelin Green Star, and three AA rosettes. This ethos now dictates the new cooking style at Tyddyn Llan, and sustainability is the focus in creating an exceptional and truly Welsh dining experience.
Chef Joshua Morris is second-in command. And Robin Evans completes the senior kitchen team as specialist pastry chef. Finally, Maria Ganova, Gareth’s partner, joins restaurant manager Torin, as front-of-house manager. These four are well used to working together and they bring expertise and experience from working at some of the UK’s very finest starred establishments. It’s a new vibrant crew for Tyddyn Llan
together with a completely refurbished restaurant which looks fantastic!
DISABLED ACCESS
Disabled access is well catered for and help with luggage is always on hand. Whilst the upper floors may be unsuitable for guests with limited mobility (there’s no lift) one ground floor room has been recognised by Visit Wales as suitable for disabled guests. There’s disabled access advice on the website and if you have any questions in this respect then you can always give reception a call for friendly advice.
AMENITIES
Tyddyn Llan has three delightful and relaxing sitting rooms. I found it rather special sitting on a comfortable sofa, drink in hand, choosing from the dinner menu and wine list whilst being offered a selection of Canapés as a pre-dinner treat and then being shown to your dining table. The stunning dining room which is airy, elegant and a pleasure to eat in, is just across the hallway via the well-stocked bar.
Each night Gareth offers a six or ten course dinner taster menu starting with canapés with coffee and petits fours included in the dinner pricing. Breakfast is a five-course tasting menu. A good variety of wines are served by the glass and carafe, and there’s also a selection of half bottles. Food and wine matching is always fun and with the tasting menu Tyddyn Llan offer wines for each course, for a supplement.
You can see the wonderful dinner menus detailed on Tyddyn Llan’s website but here’s a little taster … Canapés, oat groat sourdough, citrus cured trout, hand dived Scottish scallops, charred sweetcorn soup, raviolo of rose veal sweetbread and shin, brown butter poached cod plus a choice of Welsh lamb or Welsh black beef fillet, and a selection of delicious desserts.
THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
Tyddyn Llan is ideally placed to explore the local area. Close at hand there’s some excellent walks where you can experience the peace and quiet of the unspoilt landscape.
Llangollen is a popular tourist town, about 18 miles away, with its steam railway, Horseshoe Pass and the famous Pontcysylite aqueduct. Built by Thomas Telford 200 years ago, you can cross it by narrow boat or take a horse drawn boat ride along the canal.
Bala Lake is also fairly close by and the narrow-gauge Bala Lake Steam Railway runs for several miles alongside the lake. You may also consider a visit to the Berwyn Mountains, about a 20 mile drive away, where you can find the highest waterfall in Wales.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking for a relaxing, luxury break away that’s different, then Tyddyn Llan ticks the right boxes. Beautiful surroundings, a home from home feeling and sensational meals!
David Powell
Useful Information
Double rooms from £370 (£185 pp, two sharing), including dinner (6 course tasting menu), bed and cooked breakfast.
Ten course tasting menu available for £20 per person supplement.
Tyddyn Llan 01490 440 264 www.tyddynllan.co.uk
There are also regular special offers available via the Tyddyn Llan Facebook and Instagram pages.
