Our Silver Travel Advisor and travel editor, David Powell, visits beautiful North Wales… . 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 really rural location. This is one of Wales’ most renowned restaurants set on the edge of the 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 luxurious bedrooms and a ground floor garden suite. I had one of the first floor, large en-suite rooms with a wonderful view across the garden. 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, telephone, wi-fi, a docking station, Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy dressing gowns and bath/shower toiletries. There’s also facilities where children can share their parents room and dogs can be taken by prior arrangement.
GREAT FOOD & WARM HOSPITALITY
Husband and wife team, Susan and Bryan Webb, have developed this elegant, Georgian Country House into an appealing and award winning restaurant with luxury accommodation. Bryan spent 14 years building an enviable reputation as chef-patron at a top London restaurant, but in 2001 he heard the call of home, sold up and headed back to North Wales with Susan. They, however, took the long route home embarking on a world tour exploring many of the finest restaurants on the way. This gastronomic voyage has all been intimately detailed in a book written by Bryan along with the realities of running a hotel and restaurant and over 100 beautifully illustrated recipes. ‘Bryan Webb’s Kitchen’ is a fascinating read and can be purchased at Tyddyn Llan or ordered via their website.
AMENITIES
Tyddyn Llan has three delightful and relaxing sitting rooms. I found it rather special sitting on a comfy sofa in a well-appointed lounge, drink in hand, choosing from the dinner menu and wine list, whilst being offered a selection of canopies as a pre-dinner treat and then being shown to your dining table. The stunning dining room is just across the hallway via the well-stocked bar.
DISABLED ACCESS
Disabled access is well catered for and help with luggage is always on hand. Whilst the upper floor rooms may be unsuitable for guests with limited mobility, one ground floor room has been recognised by ‘Visit Wales’ as suitable for disabled guests. There’s disabled access advice on Tyddyn Llan’s website and if you have any questions in this respect then you can always give reception a call for advice.
DINING
The dining room is airy, elegant, well laid out and a real pleasure to dine in. The Michelin-star restaurant has recently been awarded a high rating in the Good Food Guide. Bryan’s cooking is all about sophisticated simplicity, sourcing the finest, freshest ingredients (as much as possible from local suppliers) and the focus of a stay here is definitely on the fabulous choice, preparation and presentation of the food. The menus are outstanding from starters to dessert, and whilst Bryan is busy in the kitchen, Susan, front of house, is the perfect hostess. Tyddyn Llan is part of the Welsh Rarebits hotels of distinction – and Welsh Rarebits hotels are generally recognised as being amongst the best places to eat in Wales.
The set price dinner menus are changed weekly and you can see menu details on the website, but here’s a little ‘taster’ … Dressed Crab with Avocado Salsa; Grilled Half Lobster, Coriander with Lime & Ginger Butter; and Risotto and Autumn Truffles are amongst the starters, whilst main course choices include Rib Eye Steak of Aged Welsh Black Beef; Rack of New Seasons Lamb; Saddle of Venison; Local Organic Pork; and Wild Sea Bass with Laverbread. Desserts are wonderful and there’s an extensive wine list to suit all tastes and budgets. Tyddyn Llan also put on a regular calendar of events throughout the year.
THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
Tyddyn Llan is ideally placed to explore the local area. Close at hand there are some excellent walks where you can experience the peace and quiet of the unspoilt landscape; fishing and shooting can also be arranged. 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, like me, you may wish to take a horse-drawn boat ride along the canal. Bala Lake is 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, and suitable for Silver Travellers, then Tyddyn LLan ticks all the right boxes. Beautiful surroundings and sensational meals. Bryan and Susan are ‘hands on’ and make a great team. Nothing was too much trouble. There’s a home from home feeling you get here and I think the words my wife said when we met Bryan … “you must be the wonderful chef” … sums it all up rather nicely.
More Information:
Tyddyn Llan, Restaurant with Rooms, is located at Llandrillo, Corwen, Denbighshire
www.tyddynllan.co.uk
Watch a video about Tyddyn Llan David has produced on SilverTravelAdvisor TV.
Michelin-starred Tyddyn Llan Restaurant with Rooms has two night breaks from £190 pp (two sharing) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. One night stays from £100 pp (same basis). Call 01490 440264
‘Bryan Webbs Kitchen’ is published by Graffey ISBN 9781905582327 available from Tyddyn LLan website or via Amazon.co.uk
