Llangoed Hall

Cwtch: a beautiful Welsh word effectively meaning to hug or cuddle, a mantra we extend to all guests, but much more than that; it’s the reassuring hug you give to a very good friend, who you haven’t seen in a while.

Whether it’s an exclusive private dining experience, a fairytale wedding, afternoon tea in front of the fire, or a stay in one of our classic suites complete with a magnificent four poster bed, Llangoed Hall is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable experience.

With a history dating back to 560 AD, Llangoed Hall is a unique and wonderfully elegant country house hotel in the heart of the Welsh countryside. Formerly owned and refurbished to its former glory by Sir Bernard Ashley, husband of Laura Ashley, each of the 23 bedrooms are uniquely decorated in a classic style. A stay at Llangoed Hall offers a timeless country house experience.

Llangoed Hall is a wonderfully elegant and historic country house hotel situated in the beautiful Wye Valley in the heart of the Welsh countryside. With our three AA rosettes, beautiful grounds, fine art collection and antiques adorning the rooms, Llangoed Hall is the quintessential country house experience.

Every one of Llangoed Hall’s 23 bedrooms has been individually designed and possesses its own unique character and charm. The decor perfectly complements the beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings, and modern amenities guarantee a relaxing stay.

THE HISTORY
From 560 AD to the Present Day. Formerly known as Llangoed Castle, the hall is set in 17 acres of garden and parkland in the valley of the River Wye, nine miles west of the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye.

According to the late Sir Clough William Ellis, the celebrated Welsh Architect, there appears to have been a house on this site since 500 AD. It is said that the First Welsh Parliament was also held here.

Subsequently the building became for several centuries an episcopal grange, only to be largely rebuilt in 1632 by Sir Henry Williams in the classic Jacobean Manor House style. Sir Henry’s Coat of Arms can still be seen over the south porch.

During regency times, the Williams family lost the property to a John McNamara in a gambling bout. In 1847, it was bought by John Bailey and by 1900 formed part of the great estate of Lord Glanusk. Soon afterwards, it was acquired by Mrs. Archibald Christy, the wife of the prominent London hatter.

It was Mrs. Christy who commissioned Clough William Ellis to restore and largely redesign the house. The present building was completed in 1919, although parts of the south facing wing including the panelled library dating from 1632 were incorporated.

Llangoed was Williams-Ellis’s first major commission and preceded Portmeirion, his well-known Italianate village in North Wales, by over a decade.

Like Sir Edwin Lutyens, Ellis was an Edwardian architect who sought to recreate, in the contemporary times, an example of the great country house. At Llangoed, he made daring innovations, but he tried to retain the majestic chimneyed outlines of the Jacobean house he was adapting. With the advent of the First World War, many of there great houses had outlived their general purpose.

By the early 1970’s, Llangoed was in danger of demolition saved only because of its historical and architectural importance. In 1987, Sir Bernard Ashley, founder of Elanbach and Laura Ashley, bought the property and restored the hall to its former glory. In 2012, the Interesting Hotels Group purchased the estate after it had fallen into administration under the Von Esson Group.

In September 2013 – less than a year out of administration & having undergone a Multimillion pound refurb the hotel was awarded Hotel of the Year 2014 from the AA of Great Britain and Ireland and by November 2013 it was Conde Nast Johanans Restaurant of the Year 2014.

2015 saw our first ever entry into Good Food Guide – Top 50 in the UK where we still are to this day. In 2016/2017 we were Conde Nast Johansens’ Eco Hotel of the Year. It’s back to the glory days!

MASTER SUITE
Our spacious Master Suites offer the most luxurious of stays at the Llangoed Hall. Our suites offer maximum comfort, with a separate sitting area, writing desk, and beautiful views of our grounds. All of our suites are uniquely decorated and our stunning decor creates the perfect mix of historic charm and contemporary elegance.

Our master suites feature en-suite bathrooms and enjoy free Wi-Fi, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, Noble Isle luxury toiletries, and a cosy bath robe and slippers. On arrival you’ll also be treated to a welcome decanter of Madeira and our scrumptious homemade Welsh cakes.

JUNIOR SUITE
Our spacious Junior Suites offer a mix of classic charm and contemporary style, creating a warm welcome for our guests. Sit back, relax and enjoy the special features offered by many of our Junior Suites, including; stone fireplaces, dining spaces and four poster beds.

All junior suites feature en-suite bathrooms and enjoy free Wi-Fi, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, Noble Isle luxury toiletries, and a cosy bath robe and slippers. On arrival you’ll also be treated to a welcome decanter of Madeira and our tasty homemade Welsh cakes.

DELUXE
Our Deluxe State rooms are bathed in elegant decor and offer the height of luxury for our guests. Many of our deluxe rooms boast stunning four poster beds, comfy seating areas, and writing desks for your convenience.

All Deluxe State rooms have en-suite bathrooms and enjoy free Wi-Fi, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, Noble Isle luxury toiletries, and a cosy bath robe and slippers. On arrival you’ll also be treated to a welcome decanter of Madeira and our tasty homemade Welsh cakes.

DINING
Our beautiful restaurant offers an unforgettable intimate fine dining experience. Our talented chefs create spectacular dishes using only the freshest and finest local ingredients. We pride ourselves on growing our own fruit and vegetables in the hotel’s very own kitchen garden.

Llangoed Hall was proud to feature in the Waitrose Good Food Guide’s Top 50 UK Restaurants in 2016 and 2017. First published in 1951, The Good Food Guide relies on reader feedback together with anonymous inspections by a team of experts.

We were also pleased to receive prestigious recognition from The Sunday Times as we were named as the best restaurant in Wales, 2016. We pride ourselves on providing a stunning fine dining experience in a beautiful setting, and we look forward to welcoming you to the restaurant.

AFTERNOON TEA
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea in a beautiful country house setting. From the Gold Rose and Butterfly design fine bone china, exclusively designed for Llangoed Hall, to the selection of fine loose leaf teas, Afternoon Tea at the Llangoed Hall is a treat! Afternoon Tea is served Thursday to Sunday, subject to availability and demand between 12:30 and 16:00 and we offer a number of luxurious options.

PRIVATE DINING
If you want a luxury experience to savour, complimented with fine food and beautiful surroundings, then we welcome you to dine in style with a private dining experience in one of our exquisite dining rooms.

Whether it’s the splendour of the Garden Room with its glass domed ceiling, or the beautiful Orangery for larger events or celebrations, private dining offers an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

THE WINE CELLAR 
The wine cellar at Llangoed Hall contains a collection of some of the world’s finest wines. The wines on the list have been chosen to perfectly complement the outstanding cuisine served in our restaurant and our knowledgeable team will be delighted help you to choose the perfect wine.

Like a good wine, our list continues to evolve over the years as we build our collection and bring the best wines from around the world to Llangoed Hall.

WEDDINGS & EXCLUSIVE USE
Voted Best Welsh Wedding Venue 2018, Llangoed Hall’s hundreds of years of history, stunning grounds and spectacular service make it the perfect place to celebrate your wedding or special occasion.

Llangoed Hall historical country house is the perfect place for a fairytale wedding in the heart of the beautiful Welsh countryside. From drinks on the Terrace to a spectacular wedding breakfast in the Orangery, Llangoed Hall offers stunning and unique spaces for your wedding and reception.

With 23 uniquely decorated bedrooms and suites, the Llangoed Hall offers exclusive use to accommodate your entire wedding party. Our dedicated and highly experienced staff work with you to help create the most magical of days, tailored exclusively to you.

We can help you to plan every aspect of your wedding, with advice on everything from wines and menus, to florists, cake-makers and photographers. We pride ourselves on creating bespoke beautiful experiences which will live in your memory forever.

ART COLLECTION
Adorning the walls at Llangoed Hall is an outstanding collection of paintings, drawings and fine art, with unique works from artists James McNeil Whistler, Hermann Dudley Murphy and Augustus John.

Llangoed Hall was formerly owned by Sir Bernard Ashley, husband of the world-renowned fabric designer Laura Ashley, who was passionate about collecting beautiful pieces to complement the house’s stunning decor. The collection includes Sir Bernard’s personal collection of sketches by the American-born artist and society wit, Whistler.

GARDENS
Llangoed Hall is nestled in the middle of 17 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens which are complemented by the stunning backdrop of the Black Mountains. Take a stroll through our magical garden, get lost in our very own garden maze, or adventure further afield and explore the sweeping Welsh countryside.

Our gardens offer a stunning setting for weddings or events, Voted Best Welsh Wedding Venue 2018, Llangoed Hall’s hundreds of years of history, stunning grounds and spectacular service make it the perfect place to celebrate your wedding or special occasion.

THE BEAUTIFUL WYE VALLEY 
The Wye Valley straddles the border between England and Wales. It is home to some of the most attractive, most scenic landscapes in the UK, and was established officially as an Area of Natural Beauty in 1971.

Central to the valley’s beauty is the majestic River Wye, the UK’s fifth longest river. The Valley is also home to any number of picture-postcard villages and historic market towns. Interestingly enough, it is regarded as one of the birthplaces of the modern tourism industry.

BREATHTAKING BRECON BEACONS 
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales and its six main peaks dominate the skyline, the highest of which is Pen y Fan at 886m. The range forms of the central section of the Brecon Beacons National Park, which is, in itself, a popular tourist destination.

It is also a great place for stargazing, and has become one of only 16 destinations in the world to be granted International Dark Sky Reserve status. You can view the stars with our house telescope.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
For most, a stay at Llangoed Hall is a relaxing affair and might involve little more than fine food, exceptional wines and, at a push, a leisurely stroll in the grounds.

However, those with energy to burn are also well served with plenty of local attractions and activities available. These include magnificent walks in the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons, and country pursuits such as archery, fishing, falconry and mountain biking.

HAY-ON-WYE 
Its setting in the beautiful border country, just north of the Black Mountains, makes the small market town of Hay-on-Wye ideal for visitors looking to explore the surrounding countryside.

Yet amongst all this glorious scenery it is books that have made the town’s name, and with its numerous bookshops it is a prime destination for the dedicated bibliophile. It is also the venue for a prestigious annual literary festival.

The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts runs for ten days over May and June every year. A prestigious and revered celebration of arts, it has been running for a commendable 26 years and only continues to grow in popularity and respect amongst those that love the spoken and written word. Bill Clinton famously referred to it as “The Woodstock of the mind”.

HAY FESTIVAL & WINTER WEEKEND
The Hay Festival takes place twice a year in May and November, with a programme packed with inspiring events and renowned speakers. Llangoed Hall is just a few miles from the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye where the weekend takes place, and offers the perfect base for keen festival-goers.

So if you’re an avid bookworm and a creative thinker, get in touch with our team to book an inspiring and unique weekend away in our stunning historic country house hotel.

Rooms: 23

Price: from 237 EUR per night

Source: www.llangoedhall.co.uk