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Overview

The Griffin shines like a beacon in the Brecons thanks to the combined talents of brothers Charles & Edmund Inkin, who breathed new life into this isolated old hostelry over 20 years ago.

It remains a firm favourite on the Welsh culinary map and a destination inn for those looking for a brilliant bolthole in the Welsh borders. The Griffin is an unmissable spot on the Builth Wells road, an inviting country inn with a smart ochre hue and a rambling interior of cosy rooms, all demonstrating an understated sense of style. Expect flagstone floors, open fireplaces, leather sofas, eye-catching paintings by local artists, richly painted walls - and there's an Aga in the inglenook of what was formerly the farmhouse kitchen.

The atmosphere is totally laid back with a vibrant buzz that attracts a broad clientele. After a day's ramble and a long, relaxing bath, the place to be is in the homely bar, hunkered down on the sofa with a drink in hand chatting about the day's events. When the sun shines, eat alfresco at lunchtime on the front lawn, or take your drink and stroll through the verdant kitchen garden to see what's growing and likely to be on the day's menu.

Rooms from

8 doubles: £145


Good to know

  • Amex not accepted, Visa / Mastercard / Maestro all accepted
  • Disabled access
  • Alfresco & private dining
  • Kitchen garden
  • Parking available
  • Dog stay: free

Family favourite
Children have the choice of the Tiny Tots and Bigger Bites menu and are welcome to stay overnight.

Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome throughout the pub and can stay overnight at no extra charge.

Scenic and serene
With bedrooms free of TVs and limited phone signal, The Griffin is a refuge away from the real world - although proper broadband has finally reached the hamlet of Felin Fach!

Rooms

Bedrooms are warm, elegant and simple, mirroring the contemporary flair of downstairs, and you can look forward to sleeping in an extremely comfortable king size bed topped with goose down duvets and traditional Welsh blankets.

An eclectic mix of furnishings fill the rooms alongside stripped floorboards, good books to read and simple bathrooms with deep baths and power showers, and Bramley soaps and lotions. Welcome added touches include fresh flowers from the garden, gourmet coffee and homemade Welsh cakes and flapjacks. The biggest and best bedroom (Room 8 - top floor) was added in 2021 and has a Vispring bed, furniture from lockdown antique sales, and views over to lane to fields. Gloriously free of TV, and rightly so, the Griffin is a refuge away from the real world.

Wake up to Radio 4 on the Roberts radio and gaze at the soothing view - some look out over the lane to fields, others towards rolling hills - then tuck into a delicious breakfast of homemade muesli, Black Mountain Smokery kipper, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or seasonal fruits from the kitchen garden.

Restaurant & bar

The kitchen team sources quality produce from local farms and artisan producers, and work closely with gardener Emma Rodell to ensure fresh supplies of salads, herbs, fruit and vegetables from the extensive kitchen garden for the daily menus.

Evolving with the seasons, a typical lunch menu may highlight roast beetroot and goat's cheese with walnut pesto and garden salad; beef burger, garden slaw, onion relish and triple-cooked chips; and charred pork rib eye, barbecue apple, grilled asparagus and Perl Las salad. Evening additions on the 3-course menu may include smoked ham hock, picalilli, gherkin and tomato; roast cod loin, celeriac, fennel, smoked leek and chicken juices; and dark chocolate delice, Guinness ice cream and caramel. Book ahead for the renowned Griffin set Sunday lunch.

The Griffin takes drinking very seriously and the impressive Drinks List makes for interesting reading and is best perused while supping a tip-top pint of Wye Valley ale. The choice of wines reflects the spirit of The Griffin, all sourced from small, independent and passionate merchants, and the eclectic, wittily described list (20 by the glass or carafe) changes from month to month.

Things to do

With its big skies and wide-open spaces, hills and gorges, waterfalls, woodland, lakes and forests, the Brecon Beacons offer fabulous walking with trails to suit all levels of experience and fitness. The Brecon Beacons National Park is Wales' first Geopark and one of only seven Dark Sky Reserves in the world. The Beacons Way walk will give you some of the best views, and you can either do the whole lot - 152km (95 miles) - which takes eight days, or split it up to suit you. There are also various shorter walks between three and seven miles in length, even these can have sharp gradients, though, so wear boots or good shoes

Don't miss the charming market town of Hay on Wye, famous for its literature festival (in May) and its enormous selection of second-hand bookshops. There are meant to be more than 30, some general and some more specific, such as Murder & Mayhem, which specialises in crime. Make sure to check out the Hay Makers when there, a co-operative of professional designer makers. The gallery opened in the 1980s and has flourished ever since; you'll find a broad range of work on display, from furniture and wooden bowls to ceramics, stone-carving and textiles. Regular exhibitions throughout the year showcase some of the finest contemporary British makers.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest railway station: Abergavenny
Taxi from station: 40mins
Drive: Brecon 12min; Hereford 53min; Swansea 1hr 10min

Address

Felin Fach, Brecon, Powys LD3 0UB

Reviews

"The Griffin Inn marked the start of our Herefordshire itinerary - regrettably, it was only possible to stay one night. Edmund & Cally made us feel very welcome, our room was really comfortable and dinner was excellent, with a good choice for each course. The Brecon Beacons provides a dramatic backdrop, with great views from the garden". Rod Grinsted (following Chase Itinerary September 2020).

Enquire to book

To make a booking enquiry, please use the form below or you can call our reservations team on 020 8161 0100. Our phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am - 3pm.

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