Wales with kids
By Holly Rosen Fink
Gliffaes Country House Hotel (Courtesy Gliffaes Country House Hotel)
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path hotel in Brecon Beacons for a family visit, Wales, look no further than Gliffaes Country House Hotel.
Gliffaes Country House Hotel is an off-the-beaten path hotel in Southern Wales, located on 33 acres of the eastern corner of Brecon Beacons National Park. The Victorian style hotel is surrounded by beautiful foliage, rivers, woods, hedges and sheep fields and is near quaint villages like Knighton and Crickhowell to explore.
(MORE: 24 Hours in South Wales)
Why Go
Gliffaes is a good point for an adventure or to explore of the region, and it’s also well situated for an active holiday if you are looking for a place to hike, go fishing or bicycle riding. The staff is very polite and will remember your children’s first names, making them feel at home during your stay. They go out of their way to make guests feel extra comfortable, while offering old world charm. For example, their daily high tea is exquisite, served on fancy china dishes. If your children haven’t experienced a traditional high tea of scones with clotted cream, this will be an excellent first opportunity.
Room Options
Charming guest room at Gliffaes Country House Hotel (Courtesy Gliffaes Country House Hotel)
The hotel has 23 rooms, all non-smoking and all equipped with these amenities: Bathrobes, Wi-Fi, TV, Tea/Coffee making, as well as sweeping views of the national park. The rooms vary by cost and size and have walk-in showers. The hotel has cribs and extra rollaway beds as needed for young children. All the rooms have an old-country charm with sweeping drapes, an old-fashioned bedside radio and lush carpets, a full tea set, traditional English paintings and all the integral amenities including Welsh bath products and a coffee machine. Kids will also love the dramatic views of the sweeping river and foliage right below in Brecon Beacons National Park.
Just for Kids
Kids will enjoy the hotel’s space and comfort, as well as access to the outdoors. Older children will not only appreciate the magnificent views of the countryside but also the free Wi-Fi. They will like taking a long walk on the river, fishing in the river, bird-watching or just hanging out and drinking cups of hot tea on the terrace overlooking the park.
Where to Eat
Food at Gliffaes Country House Hotel (Courtesy Gliffaes Country House Hotel)
A stay at Gliffaes includes a full English breakfast, which includes selection of cereals including muesli, pastries, Welsh yogurt, hand-roasted coffee, fresh orange juice, Black Mountain salmon and cooked menu options. The hotel also offers daily high tea and dinner, which is a bit more upscale than your average fish & chips. Families can venture to the towns of Abergavenny and Brecon for a less expensive bite.
What to Do
Gliffaes Country House Hotel (Courtesy Gliffaes Country House Hotel)
Gliffaes has a mile of left bank fishing, divided into three beats, so fishing is an option of a kid-friendly activity. Other note-worthy kid-friendly activities at the hotel include mountain biking and canoeing. Gliffaes is surrounded by beautiful foliage, rivers, woods, hedges and sheep fields and is near quaint villages like Knighton and Crickhowell to explore. Or families can take a short drive to explore Tretower, ancient ruins of an 11th century castle.
(MORE: Idyllic Destinations Where French Families Go on Vacation)
Getting There and Getting Orientated
By car, Gliffaes is a 3-hour drive from West London or about 2.5 hours from Heathrow straight down the M4 and it’s an 8-mile taxi ride from Abergavenny station, which is just off the main London to Cardiff line. Trains leave from London Paddington almost on the hour every hour.
Insider Tips
Check the Internet for specials to find the best deal on the hotel. Speak to the concierge to get tips on what to do and where to eat, and do research in advance of your trip. Encourage your children to experience the outdoors. After all, this is Wales.
Holly Rosen Fink of The Culture Mom contributed this to MiniTime. She is a full-time marketer living in Larchmont, NY with her husband and two children.
