The Bell at Skenfrith

The River Monnow flows just in front of the door of Sarah Hudson’s former coaching inn and well-liked pub-with-rooms. Last year it even flowed right through it, so the ground floor has had a thorough refurb, and ‘how smart and fresh the place looks!’ Bedrooms, named after fishing flies, range from Marsh Brown, with garden views and a shower over the bath, to Heckham Peckham, with modern four-poster, river views, a bath and walk-in shower. All have Welsh blankets, ground coffee, fresh milk and shortbread. Staff are ‘young, attentive and smiling’. Joseph Colman’s locally sourced menus are served in the ‘bright extended dining area’ and outside, maybe Brecon beef fillet, ox cheek, red wine jus; roasted beetroot, goat’s cheese and spinach risotto. ‘A passion-fruit parfait had my wife cheering it on.’ Westies, whippets and wellies are all welcome in the Dog and Boot bar for a pint with Scotch egg and piccalilli. Order a picnic for a day’s fishing, to eat in the riverside orchard, or to take on one of the walks starting from the pub. ‘Unsinkable, that’s The Bell. We’ll be back.’ (Richard Barrett, and others)