Pembrokeshire

Llys Meddyg

The couple who own this Pembrokeshire restaurant with rooms set out to create what they describe as “somewhere comfortable but stylish in a down-to-earth way”. The good news is they have succeeded.

Eat: A stay at Llys Meddyg is as much about the food as it is the local scenery. This is undoubtedly a restaurant with rooms rather than anything grander, although the rooms are as well thought through as the eating options. The food is unashamedly local, with a kitchen team led by Patrick Szenasi, who maintains a genuine desire to present the best traditional, local dishes albeit with a refreshingly modern twist. For dog-friendly dining, there’s the cosy Cellar Bar with flagstones and inglenook fireplace, where the main restaurant menu is available. In summer there is also a kitchen garden restaurant, which this summer has been run by Matt Smith. The hotel also allows dogs into the walled garden (quite rightly they ask owners to clear up any mess).

Sleep: Dogs are allowed to stay in the three bedrooms (6, 7 & 8) in the distinctly feline-sounding mews building. These range from room 7 (what estate agents would call “compact”) to the luxurious and spacious room 6 (located on the first floor of the mews).

Walk: With some of the UK’s best beaches just a stick’s throw away, including Newport Sands (a flat, sandy beach, backed by lovely dunes, which is dog friendly the whole year round) there are all sorts of excellent walking options and an endless array of options for great days out. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers safe, sandy beaches as well as rugged cliffs and secluded rocky coves. For a start there's the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, a spectacular 186 mile long National Trail covering some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, stretching from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. As well as beaches and the coast, there’s the local cairn to puff your way up (although this being sheep-farming country, it’s likely your dog will have to stay on the lead). One to head for is the old volcano Carningli (Mountain of the Angels).