‘An amazing mansion set in equally amazing gardens.’ Praise from Guide readers this year, for this former Victorian vicar’s house high above the River Usk. The Italianate property is run by Peta Brabner and Susie and James Suter, the second and third generation of the same family owners, supported by ‘very friendly and helpful’ staff. The rose-coloured drawing room with its magnificent fireplace cossets with flowers, books and sink-into sofas, to the gentle sound of clinking croquet balls on the lawn. Afternoon tea, taken in the conservatory or on the terrace with ‘fabulous’ river views, ‘could set you up for the day’. Bedrooms have a period country house style; a Delft-tiled fireplace, an antique desk or a balcony. All have a Roberts radio, bathrobes. Some guests liked their ‘large, comfortable’ bedroom but found a steamy bathroom (no extractor fan) and slippery bath without grab rails a hazardous combination. Chef Karl Cheetham’s ‘imaginative, so tasty’ Welsh dishes include sea bream, crab ravioli, vegetable linguini, crushed butter beans. Many guests raved, others found the menu ‘static’. Fishing along a private beat is minutes away. (Jill and Mike Bennett, ML, and others)