EGERTON GREY
Edwardian living beside the rugged Welsh coast
THROUGH A MISTY VALLEY, past an elegant Victorian viaduct, and beyond to the rugged Welsh coast – that’s the kind of hand-in-hand stroll you’ll be able to take from Egerton Grey, the address picked by Charles and Camilla as a royal base for their 2007 Welsh tour.
Your hosts Richard and Huw certainly believe in attention to detail. This
one-time Victorian rectory is replete with old oak panelling, polished brass, open fireplaces, art and ornaments. Impeccable taste shines from every room – and of course Richard and Huw’s vintage Rolls Royce adds to the feeling of extravagance.
Egerton Grey's
seven acres of lush gardens bloom with old-fashioned elegance, from the croquet lawn to the giant copper beech and pastel-hued flowerbeds. Sun pours through the high windows and your time here is marked by the gentle ticking and musical chimes of a
collection of antique clocks – and it’s sure to fly by, even though the owners love their guests to do as little as possible.
Hit the spot
Next to the rugged Glamorgan coast.
Bedtime
The Blue room has a great bathroom and pretty views.
Be savvy
It's hard to believe you're just a hop from Cardiff Wales Airport.
Be smitten
Charles and Camilla certainly were – they stayed here.
Edwardian comforts
One of the two master bedrooms has a fancy Victorian four-poster, while some have clawfoot baths. You’ll dine in the former billiard room on classic home-grown or locally sourced ingredients prepared with care (champagne cocktails in the
Edwardian drawing room add an extra zest before dinner). Breakfast is extra special here, and well worth getting dressed for.
Walk down through the gardens, and you'll have the breeze in your hair watching waves crash onto the rocky beach at Porthkerry in a couple of minutes. If you’ve had enough of country-house languor, the attractions of happening Cardiff Bay are just a 30-minute drive the other way. You can also discover the charms of the Vale of Glamorgan, with its pretty villages, pubs and coastline.
This is a favourite among couples looking for an intimate wedding venue, or – if you're flying from nearby Cardiff Wales Airport – a
stylish first night. Your hosts will be happy to arrange transfers to whisk you to and from your flight.
Egerton Grey was reviewed for Room for Romance by
Mike North
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
The wood-panelled restaurant is classic in style, with original litho prints of London. Try marinated seafood salad with cherry tomatoes, garlic and basil, followed by
seared Scottish salmon mille feuille with provencal sauce. Finish up with iced strawberry parfait with fruit coulis.
Dining out
The Blue Anchor Inn three miles away in Aberthaw is said to be the oldest pub in Wales.
Where?
Egerton Grey
What’s cooking?
Enjoy grilled baby goat’s cheese, pan-fried Barbary duck breast and sticky toffee pudding with fudge sauce.
Dress the part
Stick to your smart casual favourites.
Top table?
Book the cosy table in the dining room alcove.
See & Do
The market town of Cowbridge has a hgh street lined with gift shops and boutiques. The Welsh Folk Museum at St Fagan’s is less a museum than an outdoor stroll through Wales’s history, with original houses and farmhouses furnished as they would have been years ago. Hop into nearby Cardiff for Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay, and top music and sports venues like Cardiff International Arena and The Millennium Stadium.
Shop
Cardiff city centre has all the big stores you would expect, including lots under cover at the St David’s Centre, and a great traditional indoor market.
Play
Make an evening of dinner in.
Dates
July
Foodies will love Cardiff’s International Food and Drink Festival.
August
Cardiff Harbour Festival at Mermaid Quay is a great day out for fans of all things nautical.
GETTING THERE
Location
Porthkerry, Vale of Glamorgan CF62 3BZ
Parking
There is free guest parking. You can also leave your car here free of charge (by arrangement) if travelling from the airport.
Trains
Rhoose station – two miles
Taxis
GBP 5 from Cardiff-Wales airport
Airport
Cardiff -Wales airport is less than two miles away, but you’d hardly know.
Rooms and suites
10 rooms and two suites
Special features
There are two four-poster rooms and four rooms with roll-top baths. Egerton Grey also offers croquet and golf.
Also…
All rooms have digital TVs, DVD and CD players. Some have wi-fi.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 140 - 180
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Cooked breakfast is served until 10am and features Welsh laverbread and meat-free Glamorgan sausage.
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Dogs are welcome
Air conditioning
No
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 40 guests.
Eco conscience
The hotel grows its own vegetables, herbs and some fruit.