The Hand at Llanarmon

About

Drovers from three Welsh valleys used to converge on Llanarmon to take their produce to markets as far away as London. Today the traffic is in the other direction – people flock to The Hand from all over the world for a spot of superb Welsh hospitality, good food and homespun comfort. The Ceiriog Valley is known as the Valley of the Poets as many poets and artists have lived here, including John Ceiriog Hughes, known as The Welsh Shakespeare.

The Hand is very much at the centre of village life, new hosts Jackie and Jonathan welcoming locals and leisure travellers alike to their warm hearth, filled with humour and buzz, excellent food and cosy, unfussy bedrooms. The 13 bedrooms have all been refurbished in a clean, modern country style, with firm beds, good desks, a selection of magazines, tea/coffee making facilities and biscuits. Bathrooms are state of the art, white, with fluffy towels, bathrobes and quality toiletries.

You can walk in the Berwyn Mountains, visit Llanrhaeadr Waterfall or Chirck Castle. The hotel can arrange pony trekking, fishing or shooting nearby. Treatments are available in the newly opened spa. The Ceiriog Valley is one of the loveliest and most peaceful in Wales. The loudest noise is likely to be the bleating of sheep or the quiet tumbling of the river through lush meadows.

Head Chef Grant Mulholland has won an AA Rosette and an AA Breakfast Award for his cuisine. Food is prepared using fresh ingredients locally sourced, with pies specially made for the hotel by McArdle’s of Chirk.