Just across the North Wales border in Whitchurch is Willington Lodge – a tranquil boutique B&B that’s been painstakingly restored by its owners, Pamela and Richard Morris, who’ve managed to retain much of its original Georgian features. Bordering Snowdonia National Park, the location is idyllic, especially for weddings, which they specialize in.
The Lodge, which is more like a country mansion, is set back off the road in a landscape garden. The guests sitting- and dining-rooms are elegant with period furniture, crystal chandeliers and extra-long drapes left to puddle on the floor. Colours throughout are mostly shades of taupe and chalk, with soft light accenting large glass bowls of roses. This is not just a place to sleep; this is indulgence at its best. The atmosphere is homely and demonstrates Pam’s eye for style and comfort to the extreme. On arrival you instantly feel welcome with coffee, cake and a chat in the kitchen.
Outside there’s a large private garden shared with a few free range chickens and resident peacocks. Occasionally a couple of fat lambs would squeeze themselves through the fence to nibble on the manicured lawns.
This is the perfect place to switch off your mobile and soak away the long drive from London. As I sunk into my cast iron bubble bath I silently thanked Richard Morris for the wine glass and bottle opener he’d earlier placed beside the ice bucket containing my favourite bottle of Viognier.
Breakfast is a communal five-star show of locally sourced ingredients – all superbly cooked. The other 
guests, two American couples who’d spent a few days narrow boating on the canals, were great company. I consider Willington Lodge in my top three favourite UK places to stay.
Prices start at £110 per room, including breakfast.