shops

Set against the backdrop of narrow cobbled lanes and ancient Georgian architecture with independent shops and a thriving antique scene, is a picturesque UK town

A charming English town offers a glimpse into bygone eras, with its narrow cobbled lanes and more than 400 listed buildings, set against diverse landscapes.

The historic town of Petworth in Sussex has an undeniable charm with its 17th-century Georgian architecture, ancient stone cottages and winding cobbled alleyways. There are hidden treasures around every narrow corner of this pretty town, brimming with independent boutiques and cosy cafés, as well as delicatessens and welcoming pubs.

It’s conveniently located just over half an hour’s drive from Chichester and approximately 50 minutes from Portsmouth, offering a delightful day out among its unspoilt surroundings. It was even named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the UK’s most beautiful towns, due to its picturesque location.

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But it’s Petworth’s flourishing art and antiques scene that truly stands out. The medieval town, boasting over 400 listed buildings, has an array of galleries and more than 30 antique shops where visitors can discover ancient gems.

One of the most sought-after destinations for vintage items is Petworth Antiques Market, home to more than 40 dealers selling everything from beautiful furniture to ornaments and a vast collection of homeware. One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “I absolutely love going to the Petworth Antique Market, the customer service is amazing with extremely friendly, helpful staff, and I always always find beautiful treasures there!!”

After an afternoon spent uncovering vintage goodies, visitors can sample the flavours at one of their eateries, with The Hungry Guest on Middle Street standing out as one of the town’s finest establishments. Offering seasonal, locally sourced, fresh and artisanal dishes, the restaurant truly enhances Petworth’s culinary reputation.

There’s also a selection of welcoming pubs, including The Welldiggers Arms, The Black Horse Inn and The Angel Inn. But beyond the town centre, Petworth serves as a haven for avid walkers.

There are diverse terrains easily accessible from the charming town, including the dramatic chalk hills of the South Downs National Park and the ancient woodland of The Mens Nature Reserve. However, Petworth House and Park remain the town’s crown jewel, with its expansive 700-acre parkland encircling the magnificent 17th-century Petworth House.

Guests can take time touring the historic stately home and uncover an outstanding collection of world-class art and sculptures. The estate stands as one of the finest surviving examples of an English landscape crafted by the celebrated Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

Another striking feature at Petworth Park is the hundreds of deer that roam freely around the sprawling grounds. They can be readily observed, or visitors can take in the breathtaking vistas of the South Downs while wandering through the grounds.

The National Trust park has undoubtedly placed Petworth firmly on the map and is a favourite among visitors. Particularly after featuring in major film productions, such as Napoleon, Rebecca, and Maleficent, as well as Netflix’s hit drama Bridgerton. Visitors

After a visit, one holidaymaker enthused: “Another National Trust gem! Had a wonderful day there. So much to see and wonderful walks in the grounds and deer park. The art collection is outstanding, and as usual, the volunteers in the house were great. Had an interesting talk in the square dining room about the family’s history. Found the kitchens fascinating! Great cafe too. Highly recommend.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The Repair Shop star Dom Chinea was left stunned during the latest episode of Dom Chinea’s Cornish Workshop

Dom Chinea suffered a massive setback on the most recent instalment of Dom Chinea’s Cornish Workshop as he tackled drift car racing for the first time.

The Repair Shop favourite, his wife Maria and their dog Wendy are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime as they exchange the commuter chaos of Kent for the rugged splendour of West Cornwall. The series chronicles Dom as he forges a new existence in the far west of Cornwall.

During the most recent instalment, Dom constructed a drift car with engineer Sam Lovegrove, where they competed in a drift car race. Dom revealed: “Today, I’m slightly nervous because Sam has emailed me with a link to a Mazda for sale. An MX5 with the title of ‘Let’s Go Drifting’, which fills me with fear.”

He continued: “But you know what? I’ve moved down here, moved down to Cornwall, willing to try new things. Drifting is something I have never done, never tried, and no experience in. But I would actually quite like to give it a go. It’s something I’d quite like to learn. So we’ll have to see.”

Subsequently, the pair went to inspect the Mazda MX5, where they purchased it and restored it. Later in the programme, they entered it into a drift racing competition, reports the Express.

Dom confessed: “This is not my world at all. It just goes to show being into cars is a very broad category, and this is something I’ve never experienced before. I am, to say I’m out of my depth here, is an understatement.

“In drift competitions, it’s not about who crosses the finish line first, but how well the cars perform on the track. Judges give points for how well drivers control their drifts, or skids, going around the corners. They’re looking for speed, and who can do it with style.”

Yet, mere minutes into the race, Dom and Sam’s vehicle swerved off track and collided with the barrier. Dom explained in a VT: “With our modifications, we’re confident our Phoenix is going to fly. The steering, the cornering, the suspension, all working together in perfect harmony. Until it didn’t.”

Exiting the car, Sam joked: “That didn’t go so well!” to which Dom replied: “Seriously? I didn’t even get a go. Are you kidding me? After all that work?” Sam then observed: “I think it’ll fix, but not this afternoon, I don’t think!”

In a VT, Dom quipped: “Well, we wanted our car to make an impact”, before adding: “We started this crazy adventure in the hope we’d meet like-minded petrolheads. I’d say this was mission accomplished.”

Discussing the episode beforehand, Dom revealed about the car race: “Sam showed me a Mazda MX5 for sale that we could fix up to try drift racing – something I’ve never done.”

He continued: “But we had to change the car quite a bit first – we needed a hydraulic handbrake, and the rear wheels needed to be able to spin, we had to lock them together to both spin at the same time. But that wasn’t completely straight forward – the underside was quite rusty.”

Dom Chinea’s Cornish Workshop can be viewed on U and Channel 4.

Its historic cathedral, central attractions and pedestrian-friendly streets make it perfect for a UK staycation, especially now that it’s starting to warm up.

Spring has almost sprung, and now that the weather is getting slightly better here in the UK, there are more chances to get out and explore and enjoy the sun. You can’t beat a day or weekend trip somewhere new, and if you haven’t visited York before, consider this your sign to go this spring.

The stunning historic city earned the title of the UK’s most walkable city in 2023, according to LateRooms. Since then, it’s still considered one of the most pedestrian-friendly places in Britain, reports the Express.

There’s so much to do and see in York, from quaint cobbled streets lined with independent shops and eateries to a rich historical scene and plenty of green spaces too.

Among York’s highest-rated attractions is York Minster, which was previously crowned England’s most beautiful building.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Tremendous place to visit and to marvel at what humans can achieve. You could spend a lifetime here and still find new pieces of craftsmanship.”

Visitors can also see one of the UK’s finest pieces of Royal history at the remarkable British landmark. York Minster houses one of the UK’s only statues of Queen Elizabeth II, which was installed to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.

Also in York, you’ll find the Shambles – a medieval preserved street lined with timber-framed buildings and shops that feels like being frozen in time.

If you’re keen to spend some time in nature, Rowntree Park is a must-visit. With play parks for kids, tennis courts, skate parks and a gorgeous lake, it’s the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun this spring.

Taking to Tripadvisor, one fan wrote: “A beautiful well kept Victorian park with lots to do and see. Children’s areas, flower beds, arboretums, statues, and ponds. Lots of local wildlife. Excellent for a picnic.

“Cafe and toilets, all just a stone throw from York city centre and the racecourse. Well worth a visit.”

Brighton secured the second position on the list of walkable cities. Visitors can wander the seaside city’s Lanes before heading for an invigorating stroll along the promenade. Following a lengthy walk, there’s nothing better than a fish and chip supper on the beach with stunning sea views.

Bath claimed third spot on the list and is renowned for its remarkable Roman history and ancient baths. While tourists can’t bathe in the Roman baths, they will be able to unwind at the city’s spa instead.

Bristol was the greenest city on the list whilst London boasted some of the most city-centre attractions. Brighton, Inverness and Cambridge had the lowest levels of air pollution of any of the cities in the rankings.

Matt Fox, CEO and co-founder of LateRooms.com, said: “UK city breaks are as popular as ever and with spring around the corner, impromptu weekends away offer a great way to see and experience somewhere new.

“Getting to see all of the best sights somewhere has to offer in a short space of time can be hard work, but doing it on foot guarantees you’ll see so much more and stay active in the process too.

“All of Britain’s varied and historic cities offer something different and you can pack so much in without needing to set foot in a vehicle in almost all of them.”

Meanwhile Glasgow, Cardiff, Newcastle and Coventry were the least walkable cities in the top 20 rankings.

A pretty UK town packed with independent shops, cosy tearooms and acres of green space, has been named as the ‘most welcoming’ destination, and after a visit, you might never want to leave

There’s a list of beautiful UK towns that offer an idyllic day out, whether that’s taking a stroll along their meandering rivers or exploring their cobbled streets lined with medieval architecture.

Yet there’s one that’s been named the ‘most welcoming town’ of them all, thanks to warm charm you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.

Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, is a Victorian spa town known for its mineral springs, 200 acres of green space at The Stray park, cosy tearooms, independent boutiques, and, famously, the home of Yorkshire Tea. It has often been hailed as one of the happiest places to live and has once again secured the title of the most welcoming town in the UK.

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Thanks to its warm and friendly atmosphere, hospitality, and repeat visitors, Harrogate was named the UK’s most welcoming destination in Booking.com’s 2026 Traveller Review Awards. It’s even thought that its tea heritage and charming tearooms could have something to do with its ranking, as a quarter of Brits associated a visit to the Yorkshire town with a cosy cup of brew.

Whether it’s a warming cuppa in one of their tearooms, cafés, hotels, or even pubs, the town’s history can’t be ignored, as it’s where the black tea blend of Yorkshire Tea has been produced by the Bettys & Taylors Group since 1977. It’s also home to the delightful Bettys Café Tea Room, offering afternoon tea in the imperial room of freshly baked scones and, of course, their signature tea.

But that’s not the only tearoom in this town. There’s also Jenny’s Tea Shop, Mama Doreen’s Emporium, and another Bettys Café Tea Room, just on the outskirts of the town.

Yet, away from its brews, streets are lined with boutiques, with Montpellier Quarter boasting more than 50 independent shops, bars, restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries. There’s also Cold Bath Road, which offers more eateries and shops, all while paying homage to the town’s spa heritage.

Harrogate is known as the ‘English Spa’ thanks to its mineral springs, which were discovered in the 16th century. It quickly became known as a wellness destination, thanks to its open green spaces, spa treatments, fresh air, and famed waters.

Today, there are original Turkish Baths for a relaxing treatment and the Royal Pump Room Museum for a closer look into the town’s spa heritage. Harrogate has remained known as a spa town and continues to attract visitors seeking to unwind from the stress of everyday life.

The town is characterised by Victorian and Georgian buildings, some of which make up its collection of hotels, and there are plenty of B&Bs available in the area. That’s when you can tear yourself away from the ample green spaces, with its position on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a haven for avid walkers.

With acres of pristine landscapes, Harrogate is home to beautiful parks and tranquil gardens that offer scenic strolls during the warmer months. One of its most popular attractions, which welcomes around three million visitors a year, is the Grade II-listed Valley Gardens, featuring various areas to admire.

Whether you’re looking for a day out away from the city or a weekend escape, you might just feel at home in Harrogate. Plus, it’s nestled just over a 20-minute train journey from Leeds and half an hour from York, making it even more convenient.

Ryan Pearson, regional manager for UK and Ireland at Booking.com, said: “Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards celebrate destinations that consistently deliver exceptional hospitality, and Harrogate has earned recognition as one of the UK’s most welcoming towns for this specific reason.

“Guests frequently praise the town’s friendly, attentive hosts and genuinely warm atmosphere, which makes visitors feel instantly at home. While Harrogate charms with its historic spa buildings, elegant streets, and beautiful surrounding countryside, it’s the town’s authentic, personable hospitality that inspires repeat visits and rave recommendations from travellers.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

It’s the perfect place if you like a combination of adventures and chilling out, taking in the gorgeous scenery.

A historic market town in the UK is definitely worth a visit this spring, as there’s so much to see and do there. It’s ideal for adventure seekers, and those who just want to walk around, eat good food and chill out.

Tregaron is one of Wales’s oldest market towns. It’s home to independent retailers, coffee shops, and the elegant Y Talbot, a grade II-listed hotel, pub, and restaurant, positioned right in the town square’s centre.

From here, you can embark on an exhilarating road trip along a former drover’s track that showcases hairpin turns through wild terrain.

The Abergwesyn Pass is a 20-mile single-track route stretching from Llanwrtyd Wells to Tregaron. Along this isolated road, you’ll encounter a notorious stretch called “The Devil’s Staircase”, reports Wales Online.

This appropriately named portion of the Abergwesyn Pass features hairpin curves and sharp climbs that aren’t suited to anxious motorists.

For adventurous drivers, you’ll love tackling one of Wales’ most isolated countryside regions, encountering sheep, gnarled trees and rocky formations along the way. It’s extremely steep, reaching a maximum gradient of 20.1%, and cuts through thick woodland towards miles of expansive, barren valleys, providing a descent that will push your brakes to their absolute limits.

Drive carefully and enjoy the scenery as you meander through the wilderness of the Cambrian Mountains, where you could potentially encounter nobody throughout your entire journey. You can also tackle this route by bicycle if your legs are ready for the test.

As well as the Abergwesyn Pass, Soar y Mynydd, Wales’ most isolated chapel, is worth the detour. This modest, whitewashed church was constructed in 1822 to minister to an extremely dispersed community of farmers.

Wandering through this tranquil location, you could easily assume the chapel has been deserted for years. Actually, visiting preachers travel from across Wales to hold services in Welsh.

It’s a serene spot for a picnic, as there’s often nobody else there.

Llyn Brianne Reservoir also deserves a stop to witness an enormous dam. You might be surprised to learn that this striking stone-built dam is Britain’s tallest, rising 91 metres (300 ft) above the River Tywi.

Containing an incredible 64 million cubic metres of water at almost 300 metres (990 ft) above sea level is a remarkable engineering achievement. Building work began in October 1968, with the dam constructed from crushed rock, larger stone, and clay sourced from the surrounding area.

After dark, it becomes a stargazing hotspot in the Cambrian Mountains, making it an excellent location for astrophotography.

Further south, beyond Llyn Brianne reservoir, lies the amazing RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve. The reserve encompasses vital habitats of oak woodland, wet alder woodland, and scrubland, all defined by heavy rainfall and swift-flowing rivers.

These conditions are ideal for woodland birds, whilst also offering the perfect environment for significant lichens and bryophytes. Whether you begin or finish the route at Tregaron, you should make time to discover this small Welsh-speaking town. Here, you’ll discover a livestock market, the Tregaron Red Kite Centre and Museum, and locally sourced food and cask ales in a beautifully converted 16th-century Welsh inn.

Y Talbot is an independently owned hotel and Michelin Guide-listed restaurant with 2 AA Rosettes. This charming boutique hotel radiates a ‘cosy country inn’ atmosphere with its slate floors and inglenooks.

The location is said to be the final resting place of a circus elephant which perished in 1848 and lies beneath what is currently Y Talbot’s beer garden.

The establishment, run by head chef Dafydd, who trained under Marco Pierre White, showcases regional ingredients, including lamb, beef, and cheeses sourced from the Teifi Valley, fish from Milford Haven, and shellfish from Cardigan Bay.

Close by, you’ll also discover a neglected Welsh abbey where princes lie buried. Strata Florida Abbey near Tregaron is a remarkable location in Wales where history, royalty, and spirituality meet.

Established in 1201 by white-robed Cistercian monks, this hallowed ground was formerly among medieval Wales’s most vital religious and cultural hubs.

It also serves as the burial site of numerous Welsh princes, including the renowned Llywelyn the Great, who famously convened a council here to guarantee his son Dafydd’s position as the legitimate successor to the Welsh throne.

The Abbey was established as a major institution serving the indigenous population of Wales and Western Christianity through its affiliation with the pan-European Cistercian Order of Monasteries.

The carved west doorway into the Abbey remains standing in isolation and provides an eternal vista down the nave towards where the high altar formerly stood.

You can still see some of the decorated tiles that would have adorned the church floors, along with elaborate carvings throughout the site.

WORK has officially begun on a major expansion project at a regional airport in the UK.

Bristol Airport has started its £30million upgrade with a new two-floor extension to connect the existing terminal and the departure gates.

The airport upgrade will include 17 new shops and restaurants including premium brands and a hidden speakeasy bar in the terminal.

Overall floor space at the airport will nearly double (45 per cent increase) as well.

In the newly created floor space, there will be more seating as well as the new ‘island’ shops, meaning shops will not just be at the edges of the terminal.

When it comes to arrivals, there will be a new reclaim area with an additional baggage carousel.

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When it comes to accessibility, the assisted travel lounge will double in size with new tables.

It will be located near the middle of the departure lounge and also have accessible toilets and a changing places facility.

A baby feeding room will be added as well.

Accessibility will be improved to the immigration area too, with new stairs and lifts.

The transformation to the airport is set to take place over the next three years and is part of a wider £400million investment plan to transform passenger experience at the airport.

By the end of it, the airport will be able to cater for up to 12million passengers, up from 10million currently.

The airport already has completed a number of improvements as well, such as “next generation security” and a new Public Transport Interchange with bus stops, bus bays, a car park and a larger M&S supermarket.

The departure lounge also has a new executive lounge called Escape.

Andrew Goodenough, Infrastructure Director at Bristol Airport said: “We have ambitious plans to transform our customer experience over the next couple of years, and we really appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding while all of these massive improvements are taking place.”

Gerard McNamee, Project Manager at Farrans – the building and engineering firm carrying out the works at the airport – said: “This is an exciting project which will be completed in a live environment in which all passenger routes need to remain open at all times.”

Last year, the airport announced how as part of its upgrade, it hopes to offer flights to the east coast of America and the Middle East in the future.

The airport is also planning to increase the number of flights from 85,990 per year to 100,000, which would mean an additional 35 flights per day in the peak season.

While the airport is planning to keep its night restrictions, it does want to increase night flights to 1,000 a year, which would mean four per night in the peak season.

In other airport news, a major airport could become the second biggest in the UK thanks to huge expansion plans.

Plus, these are the best and worst airports in the UK – with a regional airport coming in number one.

Cliff is sitting in his farm truck scanning the hillsides with powerful binoculars. “It’s the rams,” he says. “They can stray at this time of year.” I follow his direction of gaze, down a golden hillside covered in bracken and boulders to a dark patch in the valley bottom. “Hopefully not down there,” he adds. “That’s the quaking bog.”

Sometimes a chance encounter can transform your appreciation of an area, and that is about to happen for me. I’m heading up Craig y Garn mountain to catch the sunrise over the Llŷn peninsula and the first rays are already stealing over the tops of distant Cadair Idris, rousing giant shadows from under the trees. Cliff, who also happens to be my landlord for the week, points to the house on a hill above the bog: “Where you’re staying was my great-grandmother’s house – or at least what is now the living room. She kept one pig, one sheep and one cow, and made buttermilk where the conservatory is.”

Below the house, mostly out of sight, is the local village. “There used to be a pub and a shop. The school had 150 in it when I was there 70 years ago.” He grins. “I didn’t speak a word of English till I was seven.”

The tale of decline in rural amenities is a common one, but I am here to investigate an area that is pushing back hard. The Llŷn is leading the way in opening community pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops, facilities that, combined with the Wales Coast Path, make it a great area to explore.

For Cliff, the rural decline was a family lived experience. “Great uncle Bob left on a ship from Caernarfon in 1900 and joined the Klondike goldrush. Lots of people here were slate miners so could get jobs in North America.”

In fact, throughout the late 19th century, parts of Wales were gripped by emigration fever. Posters went up advertising passage on “fine fast-sailing barques”, usually with a “ballast of slates”. After many adventures, great uncle Bob settled in Whitehorse, in Canada’s Yukon, and is buried in its Pioneer Cemetery.

I leave Cliff and run up to the summit. The shadow giants have all disappeared, but the view is still dazzling, a reminder that the Llŷn is an extraordinary place. To the east, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is white with ice. Looking west, I can see the Irish Sea on both sides and on the north coast a trio of conical mountains, like volcanic plugs. The tallest, Garn Ganol (561m), is an extraordinary granite intrusion that was once a busy mining area, one of only two sources in the world for curling stones. Nearby is one of the first-ever community pubs in Britain, the Tafarn y Fic, established in 1988, where I aim to finish my first walk.

I start right under Garn Ganol peak, heading down a steep and spectacular valley towards a shingle beach and the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn. The settlement was abandoned when the mines closed, but local doctor Carl Clowes set about reviving it as a cultural centre in 1978, with courses in the Welsh language. (The doctor’s cultural impact didn’t stop there: two of his sons played in the rock band Super Furry Animals, a big part of the Welsh musical renaissance of the 1990s.)

From the beach, the path winds up over a headland to St Beuno’s chapel near the hamlet of Pistyll. This simple church is more like an ancient sacred cave with its bare stone walls and straw-covered floor. From here, I loop back over the hill to Tafarn y Fic in Llithfaen.

Back in the 1980s, this village was in decline, but its relative isolation proved a vital factor in triggering community action. With alternative pubs and shops a long drive away, the defunct Victoria Hotel (the “Vic”, which transliterates as Fic in Welsh) was bought out by locals and reopened. When I drop in for a pint, there are teenagers playing pool and darts while a couple of locals are working on their laptops by the fire. Across the road is a community shop.

The pioneering Tafarn y Fic proved an inspiration to other villages in the area. My next walk is along the south coast from the village of Llanystumdwy, where Tafarn y Plu (The Feathers) stands. Here, they have a fun little honesty shop outside and a stage for concerts. “It got so busy last summer that we ran out of beer,” the barmaid tells me. “Luckily, all the other community pubs sent barrels over.”

Llanystumdwy is famous for its most successful son: David Lloyd George. The great political orator grew up here, deeply immersed in Welsh nonconformist liberalism, factors that are arguably still at play in the strong tradition of collective action. Not that community spirit is necessarily benevolent: when Lloyd George came back to speak here in 1912 as chancellor of the exchequer, suffragette hecklers were beaten unconscious by locals.

I walk through the village, past the lovely stone bridge and the great man’s grave in the woods. There is a museum, too, closed for winter at the time of my visit. Back on the coastal path, I reach Criccieth, a lovely town with an impressive castle, still much as it was when sketched by JMW Turner back in 1798, having been left in ruins by Owain Glyndwr’s forces in 1404.

Just beyond, on the town beach, is a lovely art deco building, now Dylan’s restaurant. Designed by Clough Williams Ellis, known for nearby Portmeirion, it was not actually built until the 1950s and now makes a rather stylish lunch stop on the walk.

The coastal path here follows the long, broad beaches with stunning views of Harlech Castle, the Rhinogs and Cadair Idris mountains across the bay. No wonder Turner loved the area: there is always something going on with the light. The sea is suddenly snarling with whitecaps or else washed with an orange blush. As the bay narrows into the estuary, a steam train puffs out across the causeway and a squadron of curlews lands on one of many sandbanks.

I was hoping to catch the northern branch of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Line to Caernarfon and pick up the coastal path again, but that plan is foiled by a landslip. In summer, however, this would be a great option. The two heritage lines, one up to Caernarfon and one to Blaenau Ffestiniog, are fine examples of community effort too, having been rescued from oblivion by volunteers and enthusiasts who even built four new kilometres of track after the Electricity Board unhelpfully flooded part of the line in 1954. Together with the mainline to Pwllheli, they are a convenient means to starting or finishing non-circular walks.

Once I reach Caernarfon, I find a lovely ancient town with a newly redeveloped old slate-loading quay, Cei Llechi, right under the famous castle walls. The coastal path here follows the Menai Strait, circling around Foryd Bay bird reserve, then the long beach at Dinas Dinlle. Just back from the beach in the village of Llandwrog is the latest addition to the roster of community ventures: the Ty’n Llan community pub, restaurant and hotel. This vibrant and extensive project is testament to the growing confidence and capability of the community-ownership movement. It’s also a great spot to start learning Welsh, as it’s the main language of the public bar. So, iechyd da – cheers!

The trip was provided by the Wales Coast Path which follows the Llŷn peninsula for 96 miles. Pen y Braich Uchaf cottage sleeps six and is bookable through Sykes Cottages from £714 a week. Tafarn y Plu will reopen in autumn 2026 after a £2m upgrade