Hotel of the week

Newbridge On Usk Monmouthshire

WHERE AND WHY On the banks of the River Usk, in the village of Tredunnock, Newbridge on Usk is an elegant country retreat, where food is very much at the forefront.

Owned by the famous Celtic Manor Resort, the 200-year-old inn offers a warm welcome with wooden floors and fireplaces, real ales and quality wines – a real haven to relax and enjoy some Welsh hospitality.

Very rarely does a view really take your breath away, but from our deluxe king with balcony, named Kindly Kingfisher, you can take in the rolling green hills with a peppermint tea or a coffee from the Dualit coffee machine.

Light sage green walls are complemented with white, cream and taupe tones and a cosy bathroom with Penhaligon toiletries, robes and slippers, make the stay feel really special. The six rooms in total, all named after birds and fish, such as Graceful Grayling and Happy Heron, are set up for lovers of the outdoors. All are supplied with an umbrella, walking stick and shoe scraper. Guests can also use the facilities such as the pool and gym at Celtic Manor, eight miles down the road.

ON THE MENU Its two AA Rosette-winning restaurant, with views over the Usk, boasts very interesting menus, where every dish is taken to new heights with quality local ingredients and interesting accompaniments.

To start, my wife couldn’t resist the dressed crab with shallot dressing (£14), while I tried the kohlrabi carpaccio with tarragon mayonnaise (£7.50). Both equally impressive.

The garden vegetable tartlet (£18) with confit egg yolk and fennel, was brought to life by the tangy onion marmalade, and the dry-aged Welsh rib-eye steak 8oz (£33) with hand cut chips covered in rosemary salt (£4.95), was pure perfection.

For dessert, the poached strawberries teamed with Basque cheesecake (£9) was a beautifully balanced combination. There’s also a two course lunch menu from £22pp and two-course Sunday lunches from £28pp.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE The Newbridge Circular Walk is ideal for exploring the countryside. Monmouth, in the lower reaches of the Wye Valley, is packed with independent shops or visit the roofless Tintern Abbey, on the banks of the River Wye.

WAKE-UP CALL A deluxe king room with balcony from £135 per night, B&B. A superior king room without balcony from £105 per night, B&B. newbridgeonusk.com