Staying in a castle – Castle Craig Y Nos Brecon Wales
We have decided to stay as a treat at a castle. And so we selected Craig Y Nos as it was in the National Park of Wales – away from the hustle and bustle, and time to relax and unwind from our busy touring schedule.
Craig Y Nos has a mixed history and at one time was even a hospital. So you can just see the word “Ambulance” by the front door on the pavement.
Exploramum and Explorason – Craig Y Nos Castle entrance
There is a large living area downstairs, with nice light entering the room.
We head up to our family suite and are immediately impressed. It is a loft suite with the bedrooms upstairs.
This is great as we all have our own areas to work and play.
This area has enough light and is airy.
And Explorason desires his play area is a large cupboard upstairs. His own cubby house. A cubby house in a castle – how cool is that?
I can get wi-fi in the suite, but the iPad picks it up better in the lounge area and bar, so we head down for a drink and some planning time.
Exploramum and Explorason – Craig Y Nos Castle Lounge area
There is even an old organ Explorason has a try on.
Next day there is a blue sky after the rain, and so I take the opportunity to walk around the lovely grounds with Explorason.
There is a music room in the gardens and so we sit and learn some history on the video that is shown. It is lovely!
We decide to head back to our room and I stop and enjoy the pretty potted plants in our courtyard entrance.
Exploramum and Explorason – Craig Y Nos Castle Loft entrance
It is a shame my camera’s flash is faulty, as the theatre is absolutely magnificent and this photo does no justice to it.
Morning walk is over and it is time for breakfast.
I enjoy a fabulous vegetarian cooked breakfast. It was just amazing and I couldn’t finish it. YUM!
Exploramum and Explorason – Craig Y Nos Castle Vegetarian breakfast
We enjoy a great view of the National Park from our breakfast window and chat away to guests we met last night.
Explorafriend and I have some work to do this a.m., so we are pretty impressed when a member of staff offers to set Explorason up in the Club Room, and we get to work in the lounge area – perfect. I’m so appreciative!
Exploramum and Explorason – Craig Y Nos Castle Relaxing areas
We get a fair amount of our planning done and decide to take a break. One of the staff keeps an eye on Explorason while we go for a wander in the National Park behind the castle.
The views of the back of the castle are just as good.
There are several bridges to cross and seats to rest on.
There is a gorgeous grassed area where a couple of families are having picnics. We stop for a few pose photographs.
We finish our planning at 5:30 p.m. It has been a full day and all we have done is a 5-month itinerary and not even booked accommodation. But we have it mapped out at least. Who knew travel was such hard work? Time for a jacuzzi.
With a bit of a rush, we head out for dinner – wet hair and all. This feels like home and so we don’t feel we have to dress formally for dinner, even though we are in a castle. Dinner was wonderful, and the chef is really talented.
I would recommend this castle as a fabulous place to rest, unwind, go for walks, and to feel relaxed. We felt special. The staff was just lovely and our time was perfect. Thanks, Craig Y Nos Castle. I hope we get to return one day. You have left us with very special memories.
Accommodation Name: Craig Y Nos Castle
Location: Brecon Road, Penycae, POWYS, SA9 1GL
Telephone: 01639730725
email: info@craigynoscastle.com
Website: http://www.craigynoscastle.com
Date stayed: June 2014
Breakfast: Fully cooked Welsh breakfast, Continental. Vegetarian option available
Bar: Yes
Kitchen: Not self-catering in our suite
Wi-fi: in the lounge area
Child-friendly: Yes. Also, dog-friendly!
Review:
Wikipedia says “Craig-y-Nos Castle (meaning: Rock of the Night), is a Victorian-Gothic country house in Wales. Built on parkland beside the River Tawe in the upper Swansea Valley, it is located on the southern edge of Forest Fawr in Powys. The former estate of opera singer Adelina Patti, part of the complex is now used as a boutique hotel, catering, conferencing and entertainment venue. The castle grounds are surrounded by a designated country park, which is now part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.”
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