Wild Pheasant Spa Hotel
LL20 8AD
This spa hotel in Llangollen, North East Wales, has plenty of charm, and a lot of modern spa facilities. 46 bedrooms and suites are available fore hire, and their on-site restaurant the Yew Tree is open seven days. The onsite spa and hairdressing salon offer a slice of luxury and pampering, and there are many activities to be done nearby! They’re also registered for weddings and civil ceremonies.
The Druid Inn at Llanferres
CH7 5SN
An historic Welsh county Inn near Mold, offering accommodation, good food and real ale. Full of rich, comfortable furnishings, it feels warm and old-fashioned – in a good way. There are plenty of mountains and forests to be explored nearby, farmland nearby buzzing with activity in the summer, and even better all rooms are en-suite. There’s also a self-contained flat if that’s more your speed.
Lemon Tree Hotel Wrexham
LL11 2LP
A recently refurbished Grade II listed neo-gothic building, the Lemon Tree looks amazing and has twelve beautiful en-suite rooms. On the site, it’s referred to as a “restaurant with rooms”, giving precedent to their quality restaurant with Modern British Cuisine.
Westminster Hotel Rhyl
LL18 3AH
A sympathetically restored premier hotel, it offers great value accommodation. All bedrooms are en-suite, smoking rooms are available, and the bar is open until 2am. Both animal and pet friendly, it’s easy to get to National Express drop=off points and railway stations nearby.
Something a little different…
Mountain Lodge
LL22 8DT
On top of a hill top, above the Gwrych Castle, the lodge is surrounded by woodlands and clear mountain views. Accommodation consist of either a Shepherd’s Hut with Stable and Barn, and a more secluded renovated Stone Hut. All modern amenities are here, yet you’ll see plenty of wildlife and the opportunity for walks and cycling are excellent!
Encompassing touches of wealthy market towns such as Chester and Deeside, the North East Wales region includes rugged countryside for hikes as well as miles of canal routes, ripe for exploration. Named the Borderlands due to the tenuous divide between England and Wales, tensions are far less palpable now. With a whole host of historical buildings, ranging greatly in stature and age, there’s plenty to see for the budding historian. A lot of this history doubles up as accommodation, with some of the region’s most iconic builds also serving as hotels and guest houses. Whether you’re coming to shop, relax or simply admire the Borderland’s natural beauty; you’ll find a rough-worn yet civilised country to explore.
No doubt the area’s most iconic of buildings, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a goliath of 19th century construction. Built for the transport of goods, it now serves as a major draw for canal boat enthusiasts who can gaze down the dizzying 100ft to the valley and river below. An engineering feat, constructed in 1805, the handsome bridge has been named a World Heritage Site and can be traversed on by food or boat. Indeed, there is a decent array of routes for canal boats all around the area, with the option of taking waterways that lead to major cities such as Liverpool. It can be easy to overlook the canal boat as a form of accommodation, often relegated to the same level of luxury as a caravan; they can be rented at an affordable price, and the novelty of taking your bed slowly round bends and through locks is one that does not wear out in a hurry.
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The cosmopolitan flavours of Deeside and Chester can be sampled in the, much more rural, town of Ruthin. With an idyllically picturesque town centre that comes straight out of a chocolate box design, the square is commanded by the historical buildings the Myddleton Arms and Castle Hotel. Surrounded by black and white, Tudor style homes; these landmarks have traded off their timeless appeal, becoming successful commercial establishments in their own rights. Dating back to the 16th Century, the once pub is now run as a highly rated restaurant called ‘Myddleton Grill on the Square’. Simple, yet delicious gourmet style pub grub is available all year round, and once you’re fit to burst you only have to nip next door for a bed, in the classically built Castle Hotel.
Whether you’re roughing it under the night sky with your horse, or drifting lazily down the river on the canal boat of your dreams, there are a whole heap of viable options for all. Just make sure you plan your trip to the Borderlands and take the time to thoroughly research your accommodation to make the most of your time and money!