Tucked away near the market town of Llandderfel, on the beautiful Palé Hall Estate, a ten minute drive from Bala, The Bryntirion Inn is a 300-year-old Welsh pub that blends heritage, comfort and quietly exceptional food from acclaimed chef Luke Selby. Recently refurbished, the inn remains everything a great country pub should be – warm, welcoming and full of character – yet with a polished edge that makes it feel like a true destination.
With six stylish bedrooms named after Welsh mountain peaks, roaring log fires, exposed beams and original stone walls, The Bryntirion Inn offers a cosy base from which to explore Snowdonia. Throughout the pub, co-owner Tony Barney’s private collection of classic car and motorsport memorabilia adds a unique and personal touch. Earlier this year, acclaimed chef Luke Selby joined forces with Palé Hall owner Anthony Barney in his most ambitious role to date as Chef Partner at Palé Hall. Alongside overseeing the estate’s celebrated dining experiences, Luke has also taken the reins at The Bryntirion Inn – affectionately known by locals as The Bryn.
The 60-cover dining room offers comforting dishes with refined twists on pub classics, created by Luke alongside Head Chef Ethan Cleary. The kitchen draws heavily on the rich produce of North Wales, with ingredients sourced locally and from Palé Hall’s own estate kitchen garden – something Luke plans to expand and nurture in the months ahead.
Our stay began with a genuinely warm welcome. Within minutes we were sinking into a deep Chesterfield sofa, prosecco in hand, enjoying a relaxed lunch of chicken wings, barbecue sausages, freshly baked focaccia and perfectly crisp fries – simple food, done exceptionally well. It would have been easy to stay there all afternoon, but instead we wandered up to nearby Palé Hall to explore the impressive estate. A leisurely stroll through the grounds was followed by another glass of prosecco in the elegant bar, overlooking sculptures scattered across the lawns while hares darted through the gardens.
Back at The Bryn for dinner, the menu struck a perfect balance between comforting and refined. Starters included crispy fried chicken wings with gochujang and lime, cream of celeriac soup finished with truffle oil, and a beautifully smooth chicken liver parfait served with plum chutney and toasted sourdough.
For mains, guests could choose from dishes such as braised lamb pie with mashed potato and baby vegetables, confit cod with leeks, Jerusalem artichoke and brown shrimp, or a 10oz Welsh Black sirloin with sautéed mushrooms and fries.
Desserts were equally tempting – rhubarb and custard tart with candied ginger, rich chocolate delice, and a selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets. Local Welsh ales are served alongside wines, and a selection of classic cocktails. Just a small glimpse of the menu, but enough to show that the food here goes far beyond what you might expect from a traditional country pub.
After a day of exceptional food, drinks and fresh mountain air, we called it a night and retreated to our room, ready for the next day’s adventures. Breakfast at The Bryn is a highlight. Delivered directly to your room, a charming breakfast basket includes freshly baked croissants and focaccia, cereals, cheeses, meats and fresh orange juice – a relaxed and indulgent way to begin the morning.
From Bala, it’s an easy 30-minute drive to the picturesque town of Llangollen, where we spent the morning browsing independent shops, cafés and bakeries before discovering a wonderful cheese shop and picking up a few treats to take home.
Back at The Bryn by early afternoon, it was time for Sunday lunch – and once again, three courses proved impossible to resist. Perhaps it was the country air, or perhaps simply the temptation of the menu. Guests can choose from roast lamb, pork loin or rump of beef, all served with roast potatoes, braised red cabbage, roast carrots, swede mash, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding and rich gravy. Everything a Sunday roast should be – generous, comforting and perfectly cooked – finished with a refreshing sorbet.
Just two hours from Manchester, The Bryntirion Inn offers the perfect countryside escape. Stylish yet relaxed, the bar and restaurant buzz with a welcoming mix of locals and visitors, while the beautifully designed rooms provide a peaceful retreat after a day exploring Snowdonia.
From indulgent breakfast baskets and outstanding Sunday roasts to roaring log fires and warm Welsh hospitality, it’s the kind of place where one weekend visit quickly turns into plans for the next. Add in a visit to nearby Palé Hall and a trip to charming Llangollen, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable North Wales getaway.
Thanks to everyone at The Bryn we left happy, well fed and already planning our return.
The Bryntirion Inn is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, and for Sunday lunch.
Room rates start from £140 per night.
www.thebryntirion.co.uk // @thebryntirion // Llandderfel, Bala LL23 7RA
By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar
