Talbontdrain Guest House

kerel for an alarm clock, peace reigns supreme at Talbontdrain, Personality does, too, thanks to charming, child-friendly Hilary Matthews. She greets guests like old friends and has the same informality as her décor; a mix-and-match of antique armchairs and pretty watercolours. The loveliest room (en suite) retains original Arts and Crafts furniture. This feels more relaxed home-from-home than B&B, especially so at meals, when guests linger to swap stories over the home cooking. A pretty cottage garden segues into rural hills, and Hilary can pack you a lunch then direct you onto the many walking tracks hereabouts. Many first-timers treat Talbontdrain as an overnight stop en route to somewhere else, then beg to extend their stay when they realise what they’re leaving behind – too late, though, as rooms are invariably booked. Better still, stay three.