The Griffin, Felin Fach, Brecon, Restaurant

Sister to the Gurnard’s Head near St Ives, The Griffin is the original and incredibly well thought of ‘Eat, drink, sleep’ pub restaurant with rooms. Oozing character, comfort and charm, the Griffin is a wonderful way-side inn and an even better destination in itself.

Felin Fach, lies below the Brecon Beacons in a sheltered vale. Haven to walkers, mountain farmers and travellers alike, well within ‘God’s own country’ and halfway to many places. The Griffin is the hostellry in this little town and its gimballed sign swinging in the keen mountain breeze belies the cosy comfort which lies within.

Absolutely no nonsense was employed in the Griffin’s approach to providing great refreshment, excellent food, and the kind of cosy cossetting comfort one remembers from childhood. A clue is given in the company name - ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep’ - with equal emphasis placed upon the fine ‘open’ French wine list as on the quality of the mattresses; leather sofas, open fires and Ballymaloe chefs cooking produce fresh off the mountain.

This wayside inn has exceeded its mandate - it is now a destination in itself. The weekends find it full of rosy-cheeked fireside newspaper readers and bespattered gaiter-wearing gourmands. Conversation is at the extremely satisfied pitch which comes from having taken morally superior levels of excercise but in this case also from those having been treated to the fabulous cuisine and hospitality for which The Griffin is famous. Great value, no nonsense cooking combined with warm hearths and Eqyptian cotton.

In blazing sunshine, horizontal rain, for walking, journey-breaking or simply coming to stay, The Felin Fach Griffin is the essence of the good British Bolt-hole and everyone should find their own excuse.

The sister ‘pub with rooms’ is well worth a look - The Gurnard’s Head in Zennor near St Ives - where a Cornish slant is put on proceedings...