Mother and daughter weekend breaks: weekend in the Welsh countryside

Share a rural retreat in Wales

More mother-and-daughter breaks:

Shopping in Newcastle

Cooking up a treat in Yorkshire

 

A weekend in the Welsh countryside

 

The mother: Bridie Dunne looks after her three grandchildren during the week and at weekends works part-time as a cook in a hospital

The daughter: Aislinn Dunne, a SHE sales executive

 

There was no question that my mum needed a break from her busy routine, so I decided to take her away for an early Mother's Day treat. With its fresh air and breathtaking scenery, rural Wales offered the perfect opportunity to spend some precious time together. We decided on the quaint town of Llandeilo, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Set on a hill that overlooks the River Towy and is surrounded by hills and open space, Llandeilo is the perfect base for walkers and cyclists.

 

What we did

On our hosts' advice, our first morning was spent walking briskly through the town to beautiful Newton House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk), a National Trust gem that sits proudly in the landscape, alongside historic Dinefwr park and castle. Recently designated a National Nature Reserve, these imposing ruins date back to the 12th century and are a must-see. The town has lots of great boutiques, including a branch of chic clothes store Toast (4 King Street; www.toast.co.uk), and cafés and is totally committed to the ‘slow food' movement (shops and restaurants try their best to source all produce locally). We sampled chocolates from chocolatier and ice cream maker Heavenly as a welcome gift from our hosts - a treat for all Fronlas guests - which are available from the shop (Rhosmaen Street; www.orchardweb.co.uk/heavenly).

 

Where we stayed

Fronlas is a five-star boutique B&B with a strong eco-friendly, organic philosophy. It offers the only five-star accommodation in Llandeilo itself and makes for a much sought after luxury retreat for visiting hikers (thoughtfully, a drying room is provided for rain-sodden macs and there are bike and equipment storage facilities). Ultra-glamorous, with each room featuring stylish furnishings and modern lighting, we were delighted to find that even the beds in our large room were made from organic, locally sourced materials - and we both agreed that they were the comfiest we had ever slept in. And after a day out in the bracing Carmarthenshire air, the under-floor heating was a toe-curling luxury. The breakfast menu, all local organic produce, ranged from delicious vegetarian hot meals to granola and yoghurt.

 

Top tip

Make sure you visit the tapas bar called Caffi Salvador (3 King Street), where you'll find yourselves ordering far too much - but it's all delicious! We loved the mushroom risotto balls and leek and cheese pancakes, and our bill came in at a reasonable £20.

 

Our verdict

Fronlas is a heavenly treat - if it's get-away-from-it-all-style relaxation that you're after, you couldn't do any better - we're already cooking up an excuse to return. 

 

Getting there

Travel from London to Swansea with First Great Western costs from £25 return (www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk). Change at Swansea for the scenic ‘Heart of Wales' line to Llandeilo, which costs from £11 return (www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk). A double room at Fronlas starts from £80 per night B&B (www.fronlas.com).

 

More great country breaks

The Garden Hideaway, Hampshire

There are two ‘hideaways' at this B&B near Fordingbridge, on the edge of the New Forest, each with welcoming décor and a decked terrace. Bike
hire costs £10 per day. From £60 per night, room only (www.hideawaybedand breakfast.co.uk).

 

Titchwell Manor Hotel, Norfolk

Perfect for nature lovers, this hotel, near Brancaster, has contemporary rooms with sea views and a two-AA rosette restaurant. Doubles with breakfast, from £110 per night (www.titchwellmanor.com).

 

More mother-and-daughter breaks:

Shopping in Newcastle

Cooking up a treat in Yorkshire

 

 

 

 

Subscribe - SAVE over 40%