The Falcondale

Hospitality, hospitality, hospitality – need we say more? A warm-hearted country mansion, comfortable and stylish, historic but not precious. Beautifully located at the head of a secluded valley.

This is a mansion with a warm heart. Perhaps it’s something to do with the inviting and immaculately maintained 19th-century Italianate architecture. But we suspect that the real warmth emanates from the people you’ll meet at the Falcondale. First, there is host, Lisa Hutton along with Matthew, Hannah and Mark.

Their boundless natural enthusiasm and hands-on approach defines true hospitality much better than any hotel management manual. She has passed it on to her staff too – you’ll not come across a more personable team, who provide efficient service in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

It’s safe to say that the Falcondale has been reinvented. It’s thanks to the extensive restoration and refurbishment undertaken that the true qualities of this lovely mansion have been brought back to life. Old sits comfortably with new: antique pieces share space in the generously sized bedrooms, well chosen modern fabrics complement the Falcondale’s historic character. The place is full of light and life – the complete antithesis of the gloomy mansion.

The food relies on homemade and locally sourced produce, with the accent on quality ingredients – try the home-baked breads or succulent beef from the neighbouring farm. And as for the location… you’re tucked away amongst lawns, gardens and woods in beautiful grounds approached by a mile-long drive. You mightn’t want to leave the conservatory in winter or the terraces in summer, but if you do you’ll find the Cardigan Bay Heritage Coast in one direction, and Carmarthenshire (‘The Garden of Wales’) and the Brecon Beacons National Park in the other.