Covid still continues to disrupt everything.
We booked to go here earlier in the year, and two days before we were to visit they were flooded, and didn’t reopen until September. So after having issues with Abergavenny and trying to rebook Felin Fach Griffin – we decided on a night over in Skenfrith.
Looks to be a bit on a rainy day, so we went prepared with our waterproofs and my new Salomon booties for a 12 miles hike around 2/3 of the three castles walk (the full thing is 19 miles, which was a little too much).
Skenfrith was only about 40 mins from home, so we arrived about 10:30, and I went in to make sure I could download the route, as reception was very flaky – looked very nice inside and was well welcomed for that short burst.
Hike was pretty steep and wet, but not much rain forthe first 10 miles – we stopped off at Grosmont, for a pint in a very nice little pub – as we had packed a couple of sangers – and had planned a big old evening meal we only had a quick pint, but food looked pretty good there.
After a very quick look around the castle, we continued our walk up and up through the mist and clouds to the highest point at around 1400ft, then came off the official three castles walk to head back to the hotel.
By the time we got off the hill the rain really started in earnest, and we got immediatly soaked – as the light was failing, and I wasn’t sure if my phone was going to be very usuable in the rain – we decided to follow the road back to the hotel – which may have cost us half a mile, but saved a lot of swearing.
Luckily the road was very quiet, we only saw perhaps a dozen cars on the three mile stroll, and before long we arrived back in the hotel, dripping quietly onto their reception floor.
Check in was very efficient, and within 5 mins we were in the room, which had a big four poster and a seperate sitting area – very nice.
The shower was pretty okay, albeit within the bath, but pretty soon we were clean and dry – the room temperature wasn’t great, but fine for me. We had a cup of tea, with fresh milk and a very nice little shortbread – and dossed for a short while.
Dinner was booked for 7, so we headed down just before 6, and managed three very nice beers and vodkas, before ordering up the nosh.
Smallish menu, but decent choice, we plumped for a cheese broulee which I had never neard of before and a liver pate. Fillet of beef, with ox-cheek and pepper sauce for me, and sea bream for Sian, which we were to go 50/50 on.
We sat for drinks in front of the fire, and for food, on a good table “in the corner” – which was great. Food came very quickly and was very very tasty, both starters were lovely.
After starters, the mains came a little too fast, but were both excellent. I had ordered medium rare, and it was perfectly cooked, plenty of red. The fish and the meat were fantastic, the ox cheek was perhaps slightly too well done, or just a little dry, but the peppercorn sauce was great. I even liked the carrots.
After another round, we had the cheese board to share – three decent pieces of cheese and enough grapes and crackers for two – very good.
The whole meal was really very good – not cheap, fillet was £27, fish £21 – but worth the money for the quality – one of the best meals we have had.
Good sleep that night, I was knackered and was in bed before 9 – and then a pretty damn good breakfast in the morning.
All in all a great place, with great food. My only single issue, was they had the house cat roaming around the restaurant which some people love – I don’t!
Not something we would do every weekend, at £280 all in, but a very nice treat on occasion.
8.5/10