The Coach House

Drawn back for a sixth visit to the annual Baroque Music Festival in this market and minster town, trusted readers found everything ‘as good as before’ at Kayt and Hugh Cooper’s eco-aware B&B. ‘Hugh helped to unload our luggage before bringing tea and some very good bara brith (fruit loaf).’ Behind the facade of a 19th-century coaching inn, the house is contemporary and smart. Bedrooms, painted in muted, natural shades, have a coffee machine, fresh milk in a minibar fridge, and Cole & Lewis toiletries. Brychan mini-suite has a sofa, a bath and separate walk-in shower. Even the smallest ‘classic’ rooms are not poky. ‘We were grateful to have such a comfortable room to return to during two days 
of torrential rain.’ A variety of restaurants and pubs are a stroll away. Breakfast brings a wide choice, served to the unobtrusive strains of harp music, and includes Glamorgan vegetarian sausages, pikelets, local free-range eggs, laver bread, and porridge with Welsh honey. Guests 
can order a packed lunch before setting out to explore the Brecon Beacons national park. (Jill and Mike Bennett)