The Bell at Skenfrith

Skenfrith, Monmouthshire

Huddled below wooded hills, beside a stone bridge over the River Monnow, this whitewashed former 17th-century coaching inn is delightfully at ease in the landscape. More

Good Hotel Guide Review

Huddled below wooded hills, beside a stone bridge over the River Monnow, this whitewashed former 17th-century coaching inn is delightfully at ease in the landscape. And that’s the same feeling guests experience when they step inside this dog-friendly country inn. ‘Smart and fresh’ interiors are a blend of original beams and exposed stonework with stripped-wood floors, bottle-green colours, polished rustic tables and spindle-back chairs. Leafy pot plants plus floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area add to the light and relaxed atmosphere. Dine here or on the terrace on locally sourced food, ‘reflected in the quality of the meals’, such as Wye Valley beef carpaccio, followed by pan-roast minted Welsh lamb cutlet, and Welsh cheeses to follow. The comprehensive wine list includes ‘a good range by the glass’. Bedrooms, named after fishing flies, are individually designed and furnished in soft colours, pretty fabrics and a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces. There is ground coffee, tea, fresh milk and home-made shortbread. Larger rooms have freestanding baths; all have views over garden, river or hills. ‘Courteous staff were a tonic and a credit to the owners.’

Hotel details

Address

Skenfrith
Monmouthshire
NP7 8UH
Wales

Telephone

01600 750235

Bedrooms

11.

Open

all year, except for two weeks for maintenance (check website for details).

Facilities

2 bars, restaurant, Wine Room (private dining), in-room TV, 2-acre grounds (terrace, garden, river), EV charging, public rooms and terrace wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.

Background music

occasionally.

Children

all ages welcomed, extra bed £20, £24.95 incl. early supper, no under-8s in restaurant after 7 pm.

Dogs

allowed in bedrooms (£20 a night, outdoor dog bath and shower), public rooms on a lead.

Credit cards

MC, Visa.

Prices

B&B doubles from £185. À la carte £45. 1-night bookings refused Sat.

Other reviews

Comments about The Bell at Skenfrith

We had lunch. Warm and efficient welcome from delightful young staff. Excellent food; imaginative vegetables. - Keith Salway - July 2019
‘Unsinkable ‘ That describes The Bell, a worthy and long-term entry in the GHG. Many establishments have suffered through lockdown, but few could have survived this saga. Flooded last October, the inn had to close for a substantial renovation, reopening just in time for the winter trade. In February they were flooded again - and then lockdown. How smart and fresh the place now looks. The bedrooms, unaffected by the floods, have been redecorated and are otherwise unchanged. A very comfortable ground-floor lounge; an equally comfortable bar and lounge leads into the bright dining area in turn leading out to the terrace for outside eating and drinking. And a ‘muddy boot’ bar for walkers and dog owners. Young, attentive, smiling (even behind their face masks), courteous staff were a credit to the owners. There’s a good range of wines available by the glass, and in generous measure! Using excellent local suppliers and locally sourced food, was reflected in the quality of the meals. And, for the small number of guests, the menu changed in our two night stay. That’s admirable. - Richard Barrett - May 2024

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