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Gay Friendly Country House Luxurious Hotel and Restaurant Shropshire Pen-y-Dyffryn Gay Friendly Luxury Country House Hotel, Rhydycroesau, Oswestry, Shropshire Welsh Borders  www.peny.co.uk This beautiful hotel in the Shropshire and Wales border hills is a supremely peaceful country house providing the perfect retreat to escape from the madding crowd and enjoy the stunning Welsh border countryside. Set in five acres of grounds with no passing traffic, this silver-stone former rectory exudes a magical calm. There is a selection of gorgeous bedrooms where private patios, double jacuzzis, spa baths and stunning views abound. Dining in the elegant restaurant, where huge south-facing sash windows frame the ever-changing and beautiful views, is central to the whole enchanting Pen-y-Dyffryn experience and the food is sensational, as you would expect from a restaurant with two AA Rosettes. Miles and Audrey together with their loyal and friendly team of staff have successfully captured the rare combination of unobtrusive hospitality, luxury, and high standards of service and accommodation that guarantee that “away from it all” feeling. It is little wonder that together they have more awards for hospitality and food than you can shake a stick at. Why? Quite simply because this is a rare and very special place for only the luckiest people to discover. What a fabulous relaxing friendly stay with superb food. |
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Gay Friendly Hotel Restaurant and Gay Wedding
Venue Symonds Yat Herefordshire The Royal Lodge Gay Friendly Hotel, Restaurant and Wedding Venue, Symonds Yat East, Herefordshire  www.royalhotel-symondsyat.com The Royal Lodge sits aside the River Wye in Symonds Yat East in the heart of the beautiful Wye Valley just below Symonds Yat Rock in almost five acres of private grounds that look out across the River Wye. There are terraced gardens of old established magnolia and wisteria. The Royal was originally built in 1876 as a Royal hunting lodge and first opened its doors as an hotel in the 1920's and has been enchanting and enthralling all who visit ever since. In 2008 the hotel was lovingly refurbished. Now The Royal Lodge has twenty well equipped and presented en-suite bedrooms (including romantic four posters) and all but one provide stunning views of the tranquil River Wye as it meanders past on its tireless journey to the sea. The restaurant is called Hunters which provides fine food, all of which is sourced locally where possible. The menu is creative and balanced providing local and international food with a pretty impressive wine list; they also serve snacks in their Café Bar, Garden Room and weather permitting, on the sunny terraces. What a fairy tale setting The Royal Lodge is for a country riverside wedding. Graham and his friendly team of staff are class acts at hospitality and work tirelessly to make their guests feel valued and most welcome. |
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Gay Owned and Run Bed and Breakfast, Kington,
Herefordshire The Benchmark Gay Owned Bed and Breakfast, Church Street, Kington, Hereforeshire  www.thebenchmarkbnb.co.uk The Benchmark is a comfortable, gay-owned bed and breakfast in Kington Herefordshire that is home to Adam your host and his adorable friendly cat Benny. The Benchmark bed and breakfast is very much a home from home with a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. The Benchmark has two bedrooms so it will never feel crowded. The house has just been decorated in low VOC, eco-friendly paints from Farrow & Ball in colours with such delightful names as Smoked Trout, Clunch and Babouch... The accommodation here at the Benchmark is located on the first floor with two well-appointed bedrooms - one with a standard double bed, the other with twin beds. Both rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and have shared bathroom and toilet facilities. There is no TV: how cool is that! but you are welcome to bring along your laptop to take advantage of the wireless internet access. There is a good supply of books, CDs and a variety of musical instruments. Adam your host runs The Benchmark in a reasonably eco-friendly manner and produce is sourced locally where possible. Adam Watson is a onetime bookbinder who now makes clothing and accessories, with occasional sallies into sculpture. He is an amateur harpist, an avid reader, enjoys cooking and has a keen interest in classic cars. Kington is an attractive town with pleasantly idiosyncratic shops (including England's last traditional clog-maker), many pubs, a couple of cafes as well as a selection of takeaways and food shops. Kington is perfectly placed for walking (Offa's Dyke, Hergest Ridge), exploring (Hereford, Leominster, the Black & White trail), antique and craft shops and, of course, book shops (Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne and indeed Kington). If you are on wheels then there are many beautiful roads to drive or cycle along. A cosy, homely and traditional bed and breakfast in Kington run by Adam who is a very special, friendly and welcoming host. It's unique! |
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Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfast, Oswestry,
Shropshire, Welsh Borders Yew Tree House Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfast, Lower Frankton, Oswestry, Shropshire, Welsh Borders  www.yewtreebandb.co.uk Yew Tree House Bed and Breakfast is located in the sleepy hamlet of Lower Frankton where the beautiful rolling countryside of Shropshire readies itself to meet the dramatic Welsh landscape in the county of Powys. Apart from the stunning and tranquil location, Yew Tree House is so much more than a bed and breakfast. You see, Clive and Jo, the talented couple who own and run this beautiful place, have created somewhere incredibly special for those of you who appreciate this wonderful countryside and the abundance of wildlife that it supports. There are 2 luxurious self-contained en-suite rooms in a sympathetically converted shippon separate from the main house, each with private entrances and terrace with seating area, thus ensuring privacy and tranquillity. The rooms are delicious hotel-like spaces that are light and airy with vaulted ceilings, roof windows and matching contemporary furniture, bamboo floors and the en-suite shower rooms are simply fabulous. Each room comes equipped with: flat screen television with DVD/CD, generous hospitality tray, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi access, together with lots of little touches that really make your stay here special. Breakfast is taken in the main house and is a scrummy affair of the finest locally sourced produce. Yew Tree House rests quietly in 3 acres of delightful gardens and woodland that are a haven for wildlife a real birders’ paradise. There is a beautiful summerhouse with comfortable chairs and a veranda set in a secluded part of the woodland, well away from the house in a beautifully peaceful spot. The famous Frankton Junction where the Shropshire Union, Llangollen and Montgomery canals meet at Frankton Locks is only a hundred metres distant where you can wander along the tow path and watch the variety of ducks and swans as they manicure the waterlines of the beautifully painted narrowboats. A real treasure of a bed & breakfast and a romantic bolthole to boot! |
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Gay Friendly Hotel and Restaurant Hay-on-Wye
Herefordshire The Swan at Hay Gay Friendly Hotel and Restaurant, Hay on Wye, Welsh Borders  www.swanathay.co.uk The Swan Hotel and restaurant at Hay on Wye has a long and distinguished history of providing food and accommodation to the weary traveller as The Swan Hotel was built in the Georgian period as a coaching inn. Hay on Wye was important to the passenger/mail coaches because of its prominence on the road to Brecon and provided rest for the traveller and a change of horses. The Swan was a favoured stop by the coachmen and passengers alike because of the hospitality, accommodation and food. Two hundred years later this handsome Georgian hotel still enjoys its excellent reputation for food and accommodation. Following sympathetic restorations without detriment to its fine heritage, The Swan Hotel as a Grade II listed building is as elegant as she has ever been: full of character, from the original huge Georgian windows that overlook the pretty garden to the cobbled stable block where the original horses' name plaques can still be seen. The en-suite bedrooms are all beautifully presented and well equipped with flat screen TV, DVD player, generous hospitality tray and Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. The Swan at Hay on Wye is a foodies delight and Harry the head chef together with his talented team produce amazing food, and the frequency of regular locals who flock here to eat bear testament to his remarkable skills. Oh and by the way do leave room breakfast. The Swan Hotel is owned and run by the Mackintosh family and boy, don't they know about hospitality: friendly, warm, excellent service without an ounce of stuffiness. |
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Gay Friendly Coaching Inn, Hotel, Restaurant,
Bars and Gardens, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, Welsh Borders The Castle Gay Friendly Hotel, Restaurant, Bars and Gardens, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, Welsh Borders  www.thecastlehotelbishopscastle.co.uk From its prominent position The Castle Hotel sits majestically gazing out across one of the most charming and unspoilt market towns in the country to the surrounding Shropshire Hills and countryside. This beautiful eighteenth century coaching inn has everything going for it: lovely bedrooms, suburb food, panoramic views, fabulous gardens and no passing traffic. The Castle Hotel was built on the site of the original Castle by Lord Carnarvon in 1719 with, it is believed, stone from the castle ruins, and some remains of the original castle walls dating back to 1087 can still been seen today as they form part of the boundary to the hotel's beautiful gardens. The Castle Hotel has 3 bars with roaring log fires in the colder seasons and an amazing oak panelled dining room. Head chef Stuart and his enthusiastic brigade work their magic with fine locally sourced produce creating fabulous modern pub food. The Castle Hotel has 10 charming en-suite bedrooms each full of character, well equipped and all enjoy lovely views of either the town and the surrounding hills or the delightful gardens. As well as being a handsome historic building in a stunning position surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Shropshire for us it is the friendly welcoming atmosphere that abounds throughout this place promoted by the very special owners Henry & Bex together with their friendly team of staff (for whom it would appear nothing is to much trouble for their guests) that makes The Castle Hotel so very special. Good old fashioned service with a smile what a delight. No wonder that The Castle Hotel has been enthralling all who visit for over 200 years. How could you not want to stay a while? |
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Gay Friendly Traditional Inn, Bar, Restaurant
and Accommodation, Hanmer, Whitchurch, Shropshire The Hanmer Arms Inn, Gay Friendly Restaurant, Bed and Breakfast, Hanmer, Whitchurch, Shropshire  www.hanmerarms.co.uk In 2007 Geoff and Gill Leigh-Ford saw The Hanmer Arms Inn. It was closed, run down and unloved. But as successful entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector they could see the potential. So they bought it and set to restoring, renovating and breathing life back into this lovely old inn. Following months of hard work and determination, which Geoff and Gill describe as a labour of love, The Hanmer Arms was reborn transformed. Now with a magnificent reputation as a traditional restaurant and inn with accommodation, it draws customers from far and wide. Inside is full of traditional character (and I don’t mean Disney) archways, beamed ceilings, nooks and crannies where squidgy leather sofas and wheel-backed chairs abound, all blessed by roaring log fires in the colder seasons. The food here is honest pub grub with a twist and what’s more you won’t find any cook-chill ping cuisine or boil in the bag nonsense here. There is a reassuring wait between ordering and eating and it’s a relaxed affair too: eat anywhere you like, bars or restaurant, the choice is yours. Whilst on the subject of food the great Sunday lunch is alive and kicking here at The Hanmer Arms with a delicious carvery served from noon till 9pm; how civilised is that? There are 12 en-suite bedrooms, all of which are nicely presented and equipped with TV, hospitality tray and either overlook the quaint cobbled courtyard or the beautiful rose gardens. For the more independent of you there is the Loft Suite Apartment that has it own kitchen, lounge & double bedroom with en-suite bath and shower. There is a great community spirit here at the Hanmer Arms and friendly village characters can often be seen here propping up the bars or eating, which is always a barometer of excellence for a hostelry. Geoff & Gill: you are stars. |
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Gay Friendly Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire,
Welsh Borders The Kings Head Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, High Street, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, Welsh Borders  www.kingshead.co.uk Market towns in Herefordshire have an enthralling and timeless atmosphere, and Ross-on-Wye is no exception. The Kings Head has been providing the weary traveller with refreshment and accommodation since the 14th century and evokes memories of warming glasses of port and brandy with friendly conversation, next to crackling log fires after a fabulous meal, or chilled cider on hot lazy summer afternoons aside the meandering River Wye. The Kings Head Hotel (Grade II listed building) has open fireplaces and a wealth of oak beams. Reputedly a tunnel runs from the cellar past the 12th century well to the old Saracens Head Inn. Occasionally there have been reports of ghosts and the clatter of horses from time past. The Kings Head provides fabulous accommodation with various styles of en-suite bedrooms including a romantic four-poster. All of the bedrooms are beautifully presented and come equipped with generous hospitality tray, direct dial telephone, flat-screen Freeview TV and the larger superior bedrooms have DAB I-pod docking radio. Free Wi-Fi access coverage extends to most of the hotel. The Kings Head provides two places to eat: a conservatory restaurant and a cosy restaurant. Their award-winning Chef uses fresh local market ingredients and he produces some seriously good food, with fresh fish and game being a house speciality. This hostelry provides fabulous accommodation and incredibly good, imaginative food served in an atmosphere that only a period hotel of this standing can provide, together with a friendly and inviting ambience that is so welcoming. Sat in one of the most ancient and pretty streets in Ross, which is a perfect for exploring the Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons and the beautiful Welsh Border Countryside, and just perfect for horseracing at Chepstow. Fabulous. |
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Gay Friendly Traditional Country Inn, Bed &
Breakfast and Restaurant, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, Welsh Borders The Farmers Boy Gay Friendly Inn, Ross Road, Longhope, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, Welsh Borders  www.farmersboyinn.co.uk We were made up to chance upon the Farmers Boy Inn at Longhope one lunchtime in October, all four of us being in desperate need of a “livener” and something to eat following the hectic party we had attended the previous evening in Cheltenham. Justin who doesn’t drink alcohol was our driver as usual. We were greeted with a crackling log fire and a friendly welcome from Phil (who we later found out owns and runs The Farmers Boy aided by his energetic and friendly young team of staff) who served us our drinks and took our food order. The menu is a treat with good old English favourites together with a comprehensive and an imaginative selection on the á la carte menu. We all chose their famous 2 in 1 Pie (half steak & Guinness and half cauliflower cheese) which was simply to die for. After our meal and a few more drinks we asked Phil if the Farmers Boy provided accommodation and without any hesitation we were shown their guest bedrooms which are located in a newly built annexe behind the inn. The bedrooms are all en-suite, beautifully presented and well equipped. It was nearly 5pm when we reluctantly had to leave this fabulously friendly and beautiful inn. There is something more here than the exposed beams, log fires, exceptionally good food and superb accommodation: it is quite simply the wonderful friendly greeting, atmosphere and the gentle Irish humour from a very special landlord and his friendly team of staff. The only downside at The Farmers Boy was dragging ourselves away for our return journey to Wales and work. |
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Gay Friendly Hotel, Whitchurch, Shropshire Dodington Lodge Gay Friendly Hotel, Dodington, Whitchurch, Shropshire  www.dodingtonlodge.co.uk Dodington Lodge is a Licensed Hotel and Restaurant that sits in its own grounds near to the A41 and A49 at Whitchurch. The layout of the hotel is quirky but pleasingly so. Therefore each of their 10 en-suite bedrooms is unique in size, shape and character. Each of the bedrooms is well presented, clean, and comfortable and comes equipped with a generous hospitality tray, TV, direct dial telephone, radio alarm clock and free Wi-Fi access which is available throughout the hotel. The Dodington Lodge Hotel serves a wide selection of food from snacks in the bar to restaurant meals and on Sunday lunch a traditional carvery. The location of The Dodington Lodge Hotel on the outskirts of Whitchurch makes it a great base for your leisure break exploring the beautiful countryside of Shropshire and the Welsh Border counties. Phil, Sue, Jason and Rachel together with their loyal and friendly team of staff work hard to ensure your stay with them at The Dodington Lodge Hotel in Whitchurch is memorable and something that you would choose to do again. Pleasingly quirky and an incredibly friendly stay in Whitchurch. |
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Gay Friendly Log
Cabin Lodges Clyro Hay-on-Wye Herefordshire on the Welsh Borders Clyro Hill Gay Friendly Log Cabin Holiday Lodges, Clyro Hill Farm, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire  www.clyrohillholidaycabins.co.uk Nestled just below the ridge of Clyro Hill near Hay-on-Wye with sensational views of the Wye Valley, Hay Bluff and the awe inspiring Black Mountains are 2 top-of-the-range log cabins both with their own private drives and at least 200 yards apart, so you are assured of privacy. This really is back to nature with all the mod cons of modern living. The cabins are situated on a small organic livestock farm & benefit from the shelter of nearby oak and ash trees. This is a fabulous location, perfect for all you uncontrollable romantics and groups of friends who simply adore the idea of spending time together in perhaps one of the most beautiful Welsh Border locations. Sally the owner is a fabulous friendly host and can even arrange livery if you cannot bear to be parted from your trusty mount. Friendly stay amidst beautiful countryside |
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