We set off on our journey to Hay-on-Wye later than we intended. Our first destination was Tretower Court and Castle, with a planned lunch stop along the way. Lunch opportunities proved non-existent. Although we weren’t expecting the Bird on the Rock tearooms to be open we made a slight detour just in case they were. We arrived at the property to find it looking both closed and derelict. I was curious so I searched on Google and found that sadly, the property is up for auction.
We stopped for lunch in Cafe Hay, Hay-on-Wye (toasted ham, cheese and chutney sandwich for me) before continuing to Tretower where we were treated to a short talk about the history of the site by a Cadw representative who also showed us the best route to enjoy it.
Afterwards we headed back to Hay-on-Wye for our stay in The Swan at Hay, stopping off at a garden centre for tea and cake and a visit to the Christmas Grotto (it just had to be done). As we travelled, we were treated to spectacular displays of Red Kites soaring in the sky.
Back in Hay-on-Wye we checked into the hotel, unpacked and chilled out before dining in the hotel restaurant. The bar area was busy due to an art sale event taking place. We found a quiet corner to enjoy our pre dinner drink before dining. The restaurant was calm and the food delicious. By the time we had finished our meal the bar area was less crowded allowing us to have a nightcap in relative calm.
Sounds like an excellent start to your break, Cherie
It was a lovely short break
It looks a lovely hotel and a great start to your break away.
The hotel was great, only a short walk to the bookshops.
A place I intend to visit when on one of our visits to our son in Cheltenham, not too far away. We may request “The Cherie Room” in the Swan, as I am sure it will then be labelled
Room 4 met all our requirements
It is a small hotel with only 19 rooms, a nice place to chill out.
This looks like a nice little journey, Cherry. And that bed looks very inviting to have some great dreams. Gardencenters are “a must”, it is fun to walk through. I think many places will end up not surviving “Covid” and have to be sold
The places I have shown on my recent travels are the survivors. They found innovative ways to keep going through our various lockdowns. This garden centre had set up its café area in a delightful way with flowery screens between tables to allow for social distancing. It was rather intimate
You’re already getting into the Christmas spirit, I see, Cherry. Good for you. And btw, I’ll never forget the one-time visit we made to Hay-On-Wye when we visited their huge second-hand book store. OMG.
I wonder which of the bookstores you visited, there are a couple of really large ones at the moment. All the bookshops are lovely in different ways and I bought three books in the Richard Booth bookshop.
Wales has so many hidden gems.
It does. I love visiting Wales but Mr C is not so keen.
a beautiful start of fresh tour dear Cheri
hotel room looks amazing and cozy ,i like the coziness you mentioned in the hotel particularly
It was an amazing room, I think we dropped lucky and had the best room in the hotel for us