The Druidstone Pembrokeshire

We discovered this hotel and restaurant as we headed down to the beach below our campsite at Shortlands Farm Certificated Location. If we’d not spent thousands of pounds on a motorhome, thus committing ourselves to years of camping (albeit in relative luxury), this is definitely the type of place we would stay. Run by Rod and Jane Bell for the past 35 years, it was originally their family home and is now open to guests, their children and their pets. There are 11 guest bedrooms, most with fantastic panoramic sea views. The dining room, sitting room and wonderfully atmospheric cellar bar open straight onto sheltered terraces overlooking the sea. In the grounds are several cottages converted from stables and outbuildings, with lots of parking, and guests can use the grounds as well as having their own little corner of heaven. We had lunch there - several times. The menu changes every day, and vegetarians are particularly well catered for. The restaurant has been in the Good Food Guide since 1974. The food is definitely homemade, using local produce thus ensuring the freshest ingredients. Several dogs pottered freely around the terraces, and children played happily in the grounds, particularly on the boules area, clinging determinedly to the side of the cliff.

The Druidstone does not advertise, they don’t need to. Walking in the door is like being welcomed back to the family home after years away. It’s quirky, comfortable and very, very welcoming. It' tucked away, miles from anywhere, in fact their logo is “a million miles from city life”. Almost worth selling the motorhome and staying there ourselves.