Greenery is plentiful here. It all begins before you even arrive, wending your way through the Welsh border country that looks like a giant golf course sculpted by a higher power. But the idyll’s only just begun, as you explore the 15 acres of rolling greenery that harbours a full-scale spa and the rushing waters of the River Tanat.
Make the most of it. In high summer, with the hall awash with wisteria, hire the Weber barbecue and dine out on the terrace amid the landscaping and the laburnum tunnels. Fish the river, walk the woodlands with their 2500 semi-mature and specimen trees, play a little croquet on the lawns.
Out there among the verdant pastures, there’s tennis to be played on the all-weather court and senses to be indulged in the hydro tub and sauna within the well-appointed spa. Picnic by the river, take a tipple on the terrace, pretend you never have to leave.
Detox in the radiant heat from the full-spectrum infrared sauna, amp up the wellbeing in the hydrotherapy tub and work your whole body in the gym. Complete your wellness experience in on-site The Treatment Room with an indulgent Aromatherapy Associates body massage or facial treatment.
Relax, this is your home. Spread out, put your feet up, revel in the warmth of the open fire with free logs. Fire up some family flicks on the 50-inch Smart TV with Freeview, Netflix and iPlayer. tap into the free wifi, sink into the many sofas. This is the home with the feel of a hotel, with guests you’ve personally invited yourself.
Behind the sitting room, snooker balls wait to be potted. Pour a stiff drink and knock a few down before dinner. Bash out a tune on the Bechstein baby grand. Enjoy the wooden beams, exposed stone and roaring fires, with room to escape to the second lounge for a little me-time.
Head to the games room to sample the toys. Wind yourself up in the games room, with pool table, air hockey and table-tennis, then wind down in the spa in its tranquil natural setting.
The kitchen’s spectacular in all its gleaming glory, with two two-ring induction hobs, one four-ring induction hob, three ovens and two dishwashers, but you might prefer to take it easy. Practise a little sofology as our chefs stir and simmer their way to a fine-dining evening meal, a relaxed supper, a buffet or simply a drop-off meal or two.
Dine around the cosy oval table for up to 14. For dining al fresco, a small charge for gas gets you summertime use of the Weber barbecue on the terrace amid landscaped grounds.
Family-friendly pub meals get no better than The Station Grill at Llansantffraid, where slow-braised Welsh brisket of beef and grilled sea trout sit happily by homemade crispy-chicken bites. At The Townhouse in Oswestry, fresh seasonal fare includes beef hash, Bombay cod, and steaks with triple-cooked chips.
Go the whole hog and try the glittering taste of a Michelin star at Tyddyn Llan, teaming ‘classical techniques with patriotic Welsh flourishes’. Grab a mouth-watering dopiaza or dansak takeaway from The Simla Tandoori. Or top up the fridge with fresh fare from Llynclys Hall Farm Shop and Momentum Wines in Oswestry.
Among the 7 bedrooms are contemporary, traditional and surprising designs with private bathrooms and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries.
Bedroom two is a zip-link twin or super king with private bathroom, while bedrooms four and five are en-suite king size. Bedroom six and seven are zip-link or super kings with roll-top bath private bathroom across the hallway from six and seven, which is en-suite. Bedroom eight is a king size with a private bathroom and nine is an en-suite king.
There is also a ground floor bedroom, which has a private wet room, and can be swapped with bedroom eight if required.
