What the book says, and who are we to argue! -
North Wales,
No other country on earth has as many castles per square mile as Wales. From Roman garrisons and Norman strongholds to medieval forts and fanciful follies of the Victorian era, the history of Wales is writ large in some 600 solid piles of stone. The finest collection of fortresses is in north Wales, most of them constructed at the end of the 13th century by England’s empire-building King Edward I to impress and ultimately subdue the fiery Welsh.
If you’re driving from England, the mighty Conwy Castle will likely be your first stop; as well as admiring the castle itself, be sure to take a walk along the perfectly preserved defensive walls that surround the medieval town. Just 10 miles to the west, on the island of Anglesey (Wales’s largest, and where Will and Kate live part-time), the towers and battlements of Beaumaris Castle overlook the waters of Conwy Bay. Farther south is the dramatic ruin of Harlech Castle—inspiration for “Men of Harlech,” an unofficial Welsh national anthem.
But the greatest of all is the crenellated Caernarfon Castle, with its distinctive octagonal towers. Edward II, born here in 1284, was given the honorary title of Prince of Wales as a clear symbol to the Welsh that the English were in charge, and to this day it is a title conferred on the eldest son of the reigning British monarch. The investiture of Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales, took place at Caernarfon in 1969 amid great pomp and ceremony.
In sharp contrast to foreboding castle battlements are the genteel surrounds of Bodnant Garden, a few miles south of Conwy in Tay-y- Cafn, overlooking the Conwy Valley. It is one of the country’s most luxuriant gardens, particularly when seen against the postcard-perfect backdrop of the mountains of Snowdonia. Fragrantly covering around 80 acres, the plantings are arranged in formal Italian-style terraces near the manor house and lead down to a woodland of colorful flowers, exotic shrubs, magnificent trees, and rock arrangements.
At the historic and informal Groes Inn, near Conwy, a traditional British pub is the unexpected setting for truly exceptional food and 14 comfortable rooms, some with balconies overlooking the surrounding Welsh countryside.

Horsepower?

From Stagecoach to Steam engine and Super-car, The Groes has seen it all!

This old Inn has had a long association with the road. For more than five centuries the latest form of transport has been rested outside while it’s owner has been enjoying the hospitality within.

It’s a tradition we enjoy keeping alive and the Inn still attracts the most modern (and not so modern) of horsepower. Readers of          magazine will often see our picture amongst it’s pages and regular visitors to the Groes will be used to seeing exotic motor cars resting in our car parks. We have an ever growing group of car enthusiast guests, drawn by our spectacular local driving roads and scenery, good parking is of course always available. (By the way we can still arrange stabling for your horses if required.)

But our interest is not limited to only the most modern of sports cars, for the last few years we have been proud to host the fantastic Three Castles Classic Trail. Open to any classic car made before 1983 the rally covers over 500 miles of local roads. Many pre war cars take part in the event including magnificent Bentleys, Aston Martins, Jaguars and from other parts the world, Studebakers, Ferraris and Porsches to name but a few.

Although the Inn will be closed to the public at lunch time on the day, resident guests will be able to enjoy the same lunch as the competitors and be treated to a spectacular three hour car show! Early hotel booking is recommended for this very popular event taking place on Saturday the 5th of June.

The Groes Inn, has been named by The Independent as one of the fifty best hotels in Britain.

Put together by a panel which includes Alistair Sawday, renowned hotel critic and travel writer, and Peter Brown, Associate Editor at Conde Nast Traveller magazine, the guide to the top fifty separates hotels into the Luxury, Luxury on a Budget, Family-Friendly, Green, Foodie and One of a Kind categories.

The Groes is named within the One of a Kind category, and describes its fourteen bedrooms as “far posher than those of the average pub”, and also picks out the Groes-owned High Cabin, a retreat set high in the hills above the Conwy Valley, calling it “possibly the best log cabin in Britain.”

“We’re delighted with such a commendation” said owner of The Groes Inn, Justin Humphreys. We have a great team here at The Groes, and pride ourselves in offering a very warm welcome, excellent accommodation, and superb food.”

It’s this combination which has led to a bumper 2009 for The Groes, despite the troubled UK economy.  Not only was it awarded the title “Inn of the Year” and “Wales’ National Dining Pub of the Year” by The Good Pub Guide, but also launched its own Groes Ale, much to the delight of Real Ale lovers around the UK.

Download the full Jan ’10 Groes Voice here.

Visit the Independent website to read their full article here.

A joint project between the Groes Inn and local brewer, Great Orme Brewery, has resulted in Groes Ale. Developed to give Groes Inn customers a unique beer that embodies their desire for great local food and drink. 

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New research has revealed that the Groes Inn, could be the site of Britain’s oldest surviving Pancake Day celebrations.

Local historian Stan Wicklen explained: “Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, was once part of a much bigger Welsh celebration, dating back at least 1400 years. There is strong evidence that the Groes Inn could have played an important part in the original festival.”

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The Groes Inn has scooped TWO top national honours in the prestigious Good Pub Guide 2009 Awards as Britain’s Inn of the Year and Wales’ National Dining Pub of the Year.

“We are the only pub in Wales to win any of the Good Pub Guide National Awards this year. We are absolutely thrilled and extremely grateful to all the customers who have nominated us”, said Dawn, Jane and Justin Humphreys.

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Mark Williams (right), the new head chef at the 16th Century Groes Inn, near Conwy, has strong feelings about food. It’s got to be fresh, seasonal and from the best local suppliers, says the Bangor born 33-year-old, who has twice cooked for the Queen.

“I can’t find better ingredients than here on our doorstep in North Wales, so why should I look anywhere else?…”

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