Riversdale House

Riversdale House is an immaculately restored Victorian townhouse, enviably well-located in the centre of Llangollen on the appropriately named Abbey Road, also famous for its annual music and arts festival, the International Eisteddfod.

All the ingredients for a perfect staycation are within pottering distance, hidden gem eateries, independent retail, buzzy wine bars and waterside pubs. Picture postcard perfect Llangollen is on the up. Add in your lovely hosts Olivia and Georgina’s generous welcome, their must-do top tips, encyclopaedic local knowledge and memories are waiting to be made.

The three stylish bedrooms have all had no expense-spared makeovers and are now bang on trend. A stylish mix of modern interior design and antique pieces blend well with the lofty room height. Restored sash windows come with centuries old glass still present, the stunning Minton tiled hallway give a sense of what’s to come. The original fireplaces are a feature of every room, whilst heritage cornices and elegant ceiling roses, make them all a relaxing place to spend time in. The River Dee rushing by provides the soundtrack to a blissful night’s sleep, while during the day the cheerful whistle of the steam trains across the road might be enough to tempt you to jump aboard.

Our favourite, Room 2, with its dreamy king size bed makes the most of the stunning river views with a beautiful bay window, perfect for pressing pause with a coffee or a glass of wine and enjoying the bustling scene. We loved seeing the heron and watching the intrepid kayakers shooting the white water of Town Falls. There are two original fireplaces, one still has its servant bells either side. The spacious en-suite with its walk-in monsoon shower and careful use of contemporary lighting is set off by a period colour scheme.

It would be easy to park the car until you wrench yourself away from the charms of Llangollen, but there’s plenty of interest a short drive away. Plas Newydd ( or New House ) is a gothic marvel, transformed by the Ladies of Llangollen, who made their escape from Ireland in 1778, and has gardens to die for. Most visitors tick off the engineering miracle that is the Pontsysyllte Aqueduct, now a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the impressive Horseshoe Falls are at their best on a damp day.