Grand hospitality on the banks of the Wye

Inglewood House is an old and quirky guesthouse in the Wye Valley offering high-quality bed and breakfast accommodation in four guest bedrooms. It’s set in the hillside overlooking the Wye River in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the Royal Forest of Dean is on one side and the towns of Tintern, Chepstow and Monmouth all close by.

Inglewood House was built centuries ago, though the imposing facade dates back only to the 18th century: a local squire wanted to raise his profile. Accommodation is mainly on the first floor. The Red Room is the most luxurious, with a 6″ wide four-poster bed and a large ensuite bathroom with both shower and tub. Guests booking this room get complimentary vintage port as well as ‘extras’: these can include a separate room to to celebrate a special occasion, or perhaps a visit from our local massage or beauty therapists. The Green Room is spacious with a very comfortable 6′ superkingsized bed as well as a further single bed. This has a private but not ensuite bathroom so bathrobes are provided.

There’s a further suite on the second floor with two bedrooms, one with a king-sized bed and the other with three singles, which share a bathroom and a fairly basic ‘camping style’ kitchen. This occupies the whole top floor, is very private, and is a favourite with families – though on occasion it is possible to rent just one of these rooms, in which case the rest of the floor will remain unbooked.

All rooms are superbly comfortable, with pocket-sprung mattresses, Egyptian cotton linens and the choice of feather or synthetic pillows. Tea and coffee-making facilities are included in each room, with a selection of biscuits, along with iPod docks, flat-screen TVs and DVD players. DVDs can be supplied if required, though of course there’s also wifi throughout. Although the property has full central heating, guest rooms have fireplaces and all of them work: for a small extra charge they can be lit on request.

On the ground floor there’s a separate sitting room for guests, as well as a large dining room – heated in cooler months by a wood-burning stove – where breakfasts are served. From September to May breakfasts are cooked on the Aga, while at any time of year the eggs are free range and sourced from a local small holding. Traditional cooked breakfasts are cooked to order, and there’s always a variety of cereals, fresh fruits, compote, breakfast breads, home made muffins, croissants on offer. Whenever possible ingredients will be locally sourced and ethically produced, and all dietary requirements can be catered for – though it’s best to give notice so ingredients can be sourced.

There’s a separate sitting room for guests on the ground floor, and a beautiful garden all around the front of the house, with plenty of benches and seating areas, and there’s also a large courtyard to the side of the house with a table for outside dining. The whole property is surrounded by hills and forest, with the River Wye just across the road.

Inglewood House makes every effort to ensure your stay is a success. They’re happy to provide delicious packed lunches if you want to go out on expeditions, and storage for canoes, bikes and fishing gear. They have links with local fly fishing organisations and are happy to help with advice on what to see and do.

Inglewood House suggests:

Go swimming. Strong swimmers frequently leap in the water of the River Wye, just across the road.