This restaurant with rooms stands almost in the shadow of Harlech’s mighty medieval castle. So the location is something special. But it’s not the main reason for Castle Cottage’s popularity. Glyn and Jacqueline Roberts are – in the best traditions of Great Little Places – exceptional hosts who serve exceptional food. The restaurant earns high marks in leading guides thanks to Glyn’s inspired work in the kitchen and his reliance on only the best produce – locally caught lobster and sea bass, for example, and beef and lamb from the local butcher. His contemporary cuisine – light, flavoursome and beautifully presented – is a hallmark of the overall Castle Cottage experience. A rugged 16th-century exterior gives no indication of the high-end interior design hidden within. The rooms are breathtakingly good, combining old beams with sleek, modern oak furniture against a palate of warm creams and a splash of colour. The beds are big and comfy, the bathrooms state-of-the-art. And it all feels just right, a natural and harmonious new chapter in the life of this characterful 400-year-old building. Castle Cottage’s many qualities give it a wide appeal. It’s great for golfers too, for just down the hill there’s Royal St David’s, one of the UK’s finest links courses.

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