Plas Dinas Country House

Plas Dinas Country House is a stunning Grade II listed property just outside Bontnewydd in the heart of coastal North West Wales. This historic house, originally built in the 17th century, now hosts a rather special boutique hotel and arguably one of Wales’ finest. With just 10 rooms, it feels intimate while retaining its grand manorly air. And not without good reason, Plas Dinas having been the former home of the distinguished Armstrong-Jones family. Antony Armstrong-Jones, latterly Lord Snowdon, married the Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret in 1960 and Plas Dinas regularly hosted the dashing young couple for romantic weekend retreats.

Today, guests will find a welcoming setting that's rich in antiquities and period features yet thoroughly modern in creature comforts. Rooms range in size, from the modest Peregrine to the lavish Princess Margaret Suite. Many have king-sized four poster beds and roll top baths, while little touches like a complimentary sherry tray, homemade biscuits and fudge, and Molton Brown toiletries complete the elegant experience.

The refinement continues in the hotel's celebrated restaurant, The Gunroom. Awarded AA 2 rosettes and featured in the Michelin Guide, the restaurant, led by acclaimed chef Daniel ap Geraint, seamlessly blends traditional country charm with sophistication. The monthly changing menu showcases the best of local Welsh produce in a romantic, atmospheric setting – diners will note the dramatic stone arched fireplace, which the original house was built around in the 1600s. Michelin Guide-listed since April 2022, The Gunroom is an equally lovely setting for afternoon tea – advance booking essential.

The grounds here are sprawling with 15 beautiful acres to explore year round. In springtime, seek out the bluebell woods while in winter, cosy up in the Drawing Room beside the roaring fire with a drink from the honesty bar. There's also much to offer beyond the Plas Dinas estate. Its spectacular location between the Menai Straits and the foothills of Snowdonia, means it encompasses the best of sea and summit that this dramatic landscape is famous for. North Wales is rightly regarded as the nation’s outdoor adventure capital. There are innumerable hiking trails and the mighty peaks of Snowdonia to tackle, not to mention coastal paths and woodland cycle routes galore. The nearby towns of Caernarfon and Bangor are heaving with history, while Anglesey’s award-winning beaches and sites like Llanddwyn Island and South Stack Lighthouse are well worth the trip.