A Charming Escape to The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell
Nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell is a delightful retreat that combines historical charm with modern comforts. This 14th-century coaching inn offers a perfect blend of rustic elegance and contemporary amenities in beautiful surroundings, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxed getaway.
Arriving at The Bear Hotel, having driven through winding, sheep covered roads (more on those later) I was immediately struck by its old-world charm. The bar and dining rooms are a testament to the hotel’s rich history, featuring original beams, antique furnishings, and lots of cosy fireplaces which we fortunately did not need, although you never know with the weather in the UK. The reception staff were efficient and incredibly helpful on arrival, providing us with all the information we needed for our stay (top tip, make sure you visit Webbs across the road, one of those shops with everything you need and everything you didn’t realise you needed)! Throughout our visit, all the hotel staff we encountered went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction was met.
Despite the historical ambiance found downstairs, our room was newly renovated and equipped with modern conveniences such as free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. The room was spacious and tastefully decorated and the en-suite bathroom was equally impressive, boasting a large bathtub and wonderfully powerful shower. The star of the room was undoubtedly the bed, centre stage and covered in throw cushions and a plush, cosy duvet. All of this ensured a comfortable and memorable stay made even better by the fact that we were in a dog friendly room so had our four legged friend join us for the stay. She was fussed over as much as we were and was able to join us during our evening meal and breakfast (provided you eat in the bar area which is not a hardship).
We sat down for dinner not knowing what to expect, the menu was replete with classic pub offerings, some with a Welsh twist, alongside some exciting Indian dishes. I opted for the prawn cocktail, something I have loved since I was a child. As soon as I saw ‘retro’ in the description I knew it held a special place for them too so I had to have it. It was fantastic, served with locally made bread and chock full of prawns. My other half was more adventurous and went for the Panipuri, an Indian street food consisting of a thin fried flour sphere which was filled with potato and coriander water. They were incredibly light and burst in your mouth with an explosion of cooling coriander flavour. Our waiter was very helpful and gave us some much needed instruction on the best way to eat them (pick them up and pop them straight in your mouth) as we were clearly being too polite dissecting them with our cutlery!
To follow we enjoyed more fish, plumping for a beer battered fillet served with chunky chips and a glorious homemade tartare sauce. We also went on the recommendation of the Welsh faggots, produced by a butcher in the village which we could see out of the window while we ate (unfortunately they are shut Mondays so we couldn’t get any to take home, shame we’ll have to come back)! They were amazing, especially slathered in the rich onion gravy and accompanied by more chips and mushy peas.
I had just about left space to finish the meal with an Affogato while my companion decided she had a little more room and went for the panna cotta which arrived with a delightful wobble, sat on a sharp raspberry sauce, adorned with a delicate tuile. The meal was fantastic from start to finish, the staff attentive but not overbearing and more than happy to share the provenance of the dishes they served. I have a few allergies and these were all catered for and substitutes provided with no fuss, the menu had all the allergy and intolerance information you could ask for as well so I felt confident I would be well looked after from the outset.
The Bear Hotel’s location within the Brecon Beacons National Park makes it an ideal base for exploring the area’s natural beauty. The reason for our stay was to take in a Sunday stroll to the nearby waterfalls along the Avon Hepste river. We parked up at the Four Waterfalls car park and from there it took us around 30 minutes to reach the first one. The walk was a serene and picturesque journey through lush forests and alongside babbling streams. The sight and sound of the cascading waterfalls was truly breathtaking, and the peaceful surroundings provided a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Having said that, we visited on a Sunday and some of the paths were very busy. Despite being well maintained they were also quite steep and slippery in places, make sure you pack your walking boots! Even with our small dog in tow we managed to complete the walk in a little over 3 hours, stopping for a packed lunch along the way. While most were content to view the falls while staying dry there were several more adventurous groups in wetsuits and helmets getting a much closer look, if that sort of thing takes your fancy.
The drive back to the hotel was an unexpected pleasure, within moments of driving across a cattle grid we were met with sheep grazing on the verges of the winding roads, framed by the rolling hills and verdant valleys of the Beacons. The drive was both relaxing and exhilarating with each turn revealing new and beautiful vistas and the sheep adding a quintessential Welsh touch to the landscape. It was a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of the area and appreciate the tranquility of the countryside.
Having got our steps in, we enjoyed a lavish dinner and a delightful night’s sleep, then we woke up just in time to enjoy breakfast before we had to check out. Cooked to order we chose the full English breakfast and the smoked haddock with poached eggs. While we waited we were served tea and coffee and helped ourselves to the fresh fruit and cereals. Our breakfast arrived promptly and neither choice disappointed, the black pudding was an absolute stand out and the poached eggs were cooked perfectly.
In conclusion, our stay at The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell was a truly memorable experience. The hotel’s charming rooms, exceptional staff, and exquisite dining made for a delightful retreat. The surrounding natural beauty and nearby attractions provided ample opportunities for exploration and adventure. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing getaway or an active holiday, The Bear Hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort, hospitality, and charm. I highly recommend this historic inn to anyone looking to experience the best of the Brecon Beacons and the warmth of Welsh hospitality.
Find out more > www.bearhotel.co.uk
