LAKE COUNTRY HOUSE
Classic English country house comes to Wales
TRANQUILLITY AND CHARM are twin hallmarks of this elegant and airy neo-Tudor country house, built in 1900 as a hunting and fishing lodge in a blissfully secluded corner of mid Wales. Inside, gleaming floorboards and terracotta walls are perfect foils for the oriental rugs, dark wood antiques, expansive sofas, jugs of fresh flowers and old ticking clocks.
Bedrooms are supremely comfortable, while a maitre d’ oversees the graciously appointed dining room. Outside, it’s a visual feast and the perfect place for dreamy riverside walks or a game of croquet.
Step on to dazzling precision-mown lawns that sweep down to the river Irfon – just one feature of the gorgeous grounds with 50 acres of woodlands and a well-stocked trout lake where herons and kingfishers swoop. The Lake’s traditional afternoon teas – served on a trolley under the chestnut trees in summer or before a crackling fire in winter – are worth driving miles for.
Hit the spot
Set in magnificent grounds on the River Irfon
Bedtime
You’ll have your own jacuzzi bath in the beautifully furnished Eugenie suite.
Be savvy
Hire a fishing rod and you could even catch your own supper.
Be smitten
Seclusion in a swoon-worthy setting
Winning dinners
An award-winning fusion of Welsh and English cuisine with an added pinch of inspiration makes dinner a winner. Try specialities such as stuffed saddle of rabbit with puy lentils, garlic confit and a light sherry vinegar jus. Local attractions include Powys Castle, the book emporia of Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons. There’s tennis, fishing and golfing in the grounds, not to mention the recently added Kingfisher Spa.
Kaiser Wilhelm and his empress stayed here incognito in the early days. You'll have no trouble guarding your anonymity in this green and luxuriant enclave.
The Lake Country House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Sian Davies
Bedrooms are supremely comfortable, while a maitre d’ oversees the graciously appointed dining room. Outside, it’s a visual feast and the perfect place for dreamy riverside walks or a game of croquet.
Step on to dazzling precision-mown lawns that sweep down to the river Irfon – just one feature of the gorgeous grounds with 50 acres of woodlands and a well-stocked trout lake where herons and kingfishers swoop. The Lake’s traditional afternoon teas – served on a trolley under the chestnut trees in summer or before a crackling fire in winter – are worth driving miles for.
Hit the spot
Set in magnificent grounds on the River Irfon
Bedtime
You’ll have your own jacuzzi bath in the beautifully furnished Eugenie suite.
Be savvy
Hire a fishing rod and you could even catch your own supper.
Be smitten
Seclusion in a swoon-worthy setting
Winning dinners
An award-winning fusion of Welsh and English cuisine with an added pinch of inspiration makes dinner a winner. Try specialities such as stuffed saddle of rabbit with puy lentils, garlic confit and a light sherry vinegar jus. Local attractions include Powys Castle, the book emporia of Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons. There’s tennis, fishing and golfing in the grounds, not to mention the recently added Kingfisher Spa.
Kaiser Wilhelm and his empress stayed here incognito in the early days. You'll have no trouble guarding your anonymity in this green and luxuriant enclave.
The Lake Country House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Sian Davies
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Dining in
Menus change regularly at this classic country house restaurant. House specialities include confit of duck and foie gras terrine, line caught sea bass with vanilla mash, braised fennel, grelot onions and red wine sauce, and warm plum tart served with cream cheese sorbet and black pepper.
Dining out
Pack a picnic and head down to the lake itself or the paths along the river.
Where?
The Lake Country House
What’s cooking?
Cornish crab panacotta, hand-dived scallops and caramelised belly of pork, with dark chocolate truffle tart to follow.
Dress the part
Smart country casual
Top table?
Table three is beside the huge windows and offers fabulous views of the gardens.
See & Do
Within easy reach are the Abergwesyn Valley (for the Llyn Briannne reservoir and Devil’s staircase), Elan Valley, the Brecon Beacons and the Brecon Mountain Railway and Hay-on-Wye – the UK’s number one book town.
Spa
The hotel’s own Kingfisher Spa on the banks of the lake has a 15-metre swimming pool, outdoor lakeside hot tub, gym and extensive menu of spa treatments offering everything from Indian head massage to reflexology.
Shop
Hay-on-Wye is a must-visit for those who love quaint British towns and is something of a pilgrims’ destination for bookworms. Bibliophiles can spend hours and even days scouring its labyrinthine book stores, especially the cinema-cum-secondhand bookshop.
After dark
Swop literary stories in one of the many local pubs.
Dates
May/June
Visitors to the famous Hay-on-Wye Book Fair have included Bill Clinton and a host of top writers – so who knows who you could rub shoulders with.
July
Come for the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells – Europe’s biggest agricultural show and with lots besides.
Menus change regularly at this classic country house restaurant. House specialities include confit of duck and foie gras terrine, line caught sea bass with vanilla mash, braised fennel, grelot onions and red wine sauce, and warm plum tart served with cream cheese sorbet and black pepper.
Dining out
Pack a picnic and head down to the lake itself or the paths along the river.
Where?
The Lake Country House
What’s cooking?
Cornish crab panacotta, hand-dived scallops and caramelised belly of pork, with dark chocolate truffle tart to follow.
Dress the part
Smart country casual
Top table?
Table three is beside the huge windows and offers fabulous views of the gardens.
See & Do
Within easy reach are the Abergwesyn Valley (for the Llyn Briannne reservoir and Devil’s staircase), Elan Valley, the Brecon Beacons and the Brecon Mountain Railway and Hay-on-Wye – the UK’s number one book town.
Spa
The hotel’s own Kingfisher Spa on the banks of the lake has a 15-metre swimming pool, outdoor lakeside hot tub, gym and extensive menu of spa treatments offering everything from Indian head massage to reflexology.
Shop
Hay-on-Wye is a must-visit for those who love quaint British towns and is something of a pilgrims’ destination for bookworms. Bibliophiles can spend hours and even days scouring its labyrinthine book stores, especially the cinema-cum-secondhand bookshop.
After dark
Swop literary stories in one of the many local pubs.
Dates
May/June
Visitors to the famous Hay-on-Wye Book Fair have included Bill Clinton and a host of top writers – so who knows who you could rub shoulders with.
July
Come for the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells – Europe’s biggest agricultural show and with lots besides.
GETTING THERE
Location
Llangammarch Wells, Powys LD4 4BS
Parking
There is plenty of free guest parking
Trains
Llangammarch Wells station – two miles
Taxis
The hotel offers free transfers to and from the station.
Airport
Cardiff-Wales – 70 miles
Rooms and suites
30 rooms and suites
Special features
Some rooms have four-poster beds, hot tubs and private lounges.
Also…
The hotel has a helipad on the lawn and a hot tub beside the lake.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 170 - 250
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am although late check-out is possible with prior notice
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available from 7am to midnight
Children
High Tea is served in the restaurant for children under eight. They are not permitted in the restaurant in the evening.
Pets
Dogs are welcome in selected rooms
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English and French
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 100 guests. Weddings are based on exclusive hire of the property.
Your contact
Pierre Mifsud – owner
Location
Llangammarch Wells, Powys LD4 4BS
Parking
There is plenty of free guest parking
Trains
Llangammarch Wells station – two miles
Taxis
The hotel offers free transfers to and from the station.
Airport
Cardiff-Wales – 70 miles
Rooms and suites
30 rooms and suites
Special features
Some rooms have four-poster beds, hot tubs and private lounges.
Also…
The hotel has a helipad on the lawn and a hot tub beside the lake.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 170 - 250
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am although late check-out is possible with prior notice
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available from 7am to midnight
Children
High Tea is served in the restaurant for children under eight. They are not permitted in the restaurant in the evening.
Pets
Dogs are welcome in selected rooms
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English and French
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 100 guests. Weddings are based on exclusive hire of the property.
Your contact
Pierre Mifsud – owner