Enveloped by woodland and offering distant views of Conwy Castle with a mountain backdrop, this historic country house is a haven of peace and tranquility. Spend a weekend relaxing and rejuvenating at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa.
Located near the Victorian town of Llandudno on the North Wales coast, the secluded setting of Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is almost hidden away from the surrounding landscapes. This historic property exudes charm with a maze of wood panelled rooms, roaring fires, stunning architecture and award winning gardens, all set within 200 acres of parkland. A long and winding driveway whisks guests from the outside world to this hidden country house.
Disclosure: Our stay was hosted by Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, however all opinions are my own.
THE HISTORY OF BODYSGALLEN HALL & SPA
The very origins of Bodysgallen Hall date back the late 13th century, when a watch tower was constructed as an overlook to protect the nearby Conwy Castle. While the watch tower remains within the structure, the main house we see today stems back to the 17th century with the construction of the main two storeys of the front block, home to the entrance hall and drawing room above.
Bodysgallen Hall was owned by the locally renowned aristocratic Mostyn family, since the sixteenth century. The kitchen wing and gardens were established in the early 1700’s, and over the years and generations the house was extended in a number of architectural styles. Towards the end of the 19th century, Lady Augusta Mostyn took control of restoring and extending the property sympathetically to the original architectural styles. The mid 20th century saw the property falling into disrepair and being sold by the family in 1969 to be run as a private guest house. In 1980, Bodysgallen Hall was acquired by HISTORIC HOUSE HOTELS and painstakingly renovated to open in it’s current form in 1983. September 2008 saw all Historic House Hotels Ltd properties given to the NATIONAL TRUST, which would guarantee their long term protection.
RELAX AND REJUVENATE AT BODYSGALLEN HALL & SPA
Now home to a number of rooms, suites and cottages, alongside an AA rosette restaurant, Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is a fabulous destination for guests looking for a luxurious escape in North Wales. At only three miles from Llandudno, the property is well placed to explore the coastline, and to venture further into Eryri (Snowdonia), the foothills of which can be seen from the house and gardens.
Stepping in through the wooden front door of the property and into the grand entrance hall, the history of the building is evident all around. A large fireplace with a roaring fire takes centre stage, with dark wood panelling to the walls. Thick carpets, decorative rugs and antique furniture fill the public rooms, where paintings, artworks and coats of arms adorn the walls. The maze of corridors and stairways lead to a number of public spaces where guests can settle and relax, whether in a quiet nook gazing out at the manicured gardens, or on a comfortable sofa next to a crackling log fire.
The first impressions of exploring the public spaces of Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, are those of calm, peace and quiet. Despite a howling wind and brewing storm outside during our visit, there was a sense of warmth and tranquillity within these thick walls. From the ground floor grand hall to the first floor drawing room, the beautiful library to a cosy corner on one of the landings, there was always space to feel like we were the only people in the building, despite a relatively high occupancy.
THE ROOMS AT BODYSGALLEN HALL & SPA
With a total of 31 rooms and suites across the property, there are a variety of room options to suit all. With 15 rooms located within the house, and another 16 cottages across the estate, each accommodation option offers luxury and charm. For guests with four legged friends, there are dog friendly cottages, although dogs are not allowed within the main house or restaurant. Our stay was in one of the 11 main house bedrooms – a spacious second floor room with fabulous views over the gardens, stretching across to nearby Conwy Castle and the Carneddau mountain range.
Decorated in a classic country house style, the room featured classic striped wall paper, with floral patterns on the bedding and soft furnishings. With a king size bed, two comfortable armchairs, a dressing table and antique chests, there was also the addition of a walk-in wardrobe complete with robes and slippers. The lead framed windows opposite the bed provided panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. A large en-suite featured a bath with shower over, along with a separate shower cubicle, and ample storage space for toiletries.
AFTERNOON TEA IN THE LIBRARY
Afternoon Tea at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa can be taken in a number of the public rooms or outside on the terrace during the warmer months. Bodysgallen’s Welsh Afternoon Tea, with optional Prosecco or Champagne, is a wonderful experience for guests or visitors alike. Our first port of call after check in was to sample this fabulous afternoon tea in the library. Starting with a glass of Champagne (well, why not), we were offered a wide range of teas, alongside a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a generous selection of cakes and pastries. With attentive service and fabulous flavours, the library area was a lovely and relaxing spot to spend an hour making our way through the sweet treats.
WANDER THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OR TAKE A WOODLAND WALK
A wet January day with an incoming storm and gale force winds perhaps wasn’t the ideal time to enjoy the stunning gardens of Bodysgallen Hall in their full glory. Set in over 200 acres of parkland, with numerous walking trails, the award winning gardens can be enjoyed in all seasons. With a mix of formal planting and wilder areas, the pathways around the gardens lead through a 17th century parterre of box hedges, past lily ponds and rockeries and through to a walled rose garden. Behind the rose garden, Bodysgallen Hall’s kitchen garden produces a wide range of the ingredients that make up the chef’s menus including seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs.
The perfectly manicured lawns that surround the property are great to stroll around, each location offering a different angle to view the incredible architecture of the country house. Pathways from the formal gardens lead out to wilder areas and woodland with hidden follies, perfect for exploring and once again offering great views of the main building. With a number of walking trails heading deeper into the woods of Pydew Mountain, there are plenty of areas to explore which will offer some fantastic views across the coast and nearby mountains.
To learn more about the gardens at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, the head gardener offers a programme of seasonal themed garden tours, providing an insight into the work involved in maintaining and restoring them. These tours can be booked online, and are normally combined with an Afternoon Tea experience.
SETTLE DOWN FOR DINNER AND DRINKS IN THE DINING ROOM
With a heavy emphasis on local and sustainable produce, The 3 AA Rosette award winning Dining Room Restaurant offers a fabulous fine dining experience, in a room with windows overlooking the gardens. Head chef Abdalla Ahmed El Shershaby has been a part of the team at Bodysgallen since 2009, before becoming head chef in 2020. With passion and creativity in abundance, his seasonal menus focus on ingredients grown on site, or from locally sourced producers to ensure freshness and consistency.
Having settled into the grand hall for a pre dinner drink and some canapes, we were provided with menus and orders taken, before being taken to the Dining Room. Whilst there is a dress code for dinner, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. With a choice of 5 or 6 dishes for each of the three courses available, there were tempting meat, fish and plant based options, alongside an extensive wine menu. My choices of local crab, followed by Conwy lamb and a passionfruit panna cotta were all packed full of flavour and presented beautifully. Finishing off the evening, we retired to the cosy bar area for a night cap before heading back to the room.
A HEARTY BREAKFAST WITH A VIEW AT BODYSGALLEN HALL & SPA
After a comfortable nights sleep, it was time to head back to the Dining Room for a hearty breakfast to set us up for the day. With daylight upon us and the curtains opened, the large windows of the room offered wonderful views out to the gardens, perfect to gaze out on while enjoying a relaxed breakfast.
The breakfast menu, with a mix of table service and buffet options offered a Traditional Welsh Breakfast with a choice of ingredients, alongside speciality options such as poached haddock or kippers. With juices, fruit, cereals, porridge and pastries available at the buffet table, the breakfast portions were generous and the quality was outstanding.
TAKE SOME ‘ME’ TIME AT THE BODYSGALLEN SPA
Located a short distance away from the main building, a visit to the Bodysgallen Spa is a must for guests staying at the hotel. The spa is available to hotel guests free of charge, with additional fees for any treatments taken. With a large indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and gym area, it’s the perfect spot to relax, or to exercise, for an hour or two. There are sunbeds alongside the pool, where guests can relax after a dip and in the summer months a secluded sun garden is available next to the pool.
Having relaxed, or exercised, The Spa Club Room beyond the reception area offers a selection of lunch dishes including soups, hot and cold sandwiches and salads alongside a bar menu and some sweet treats for indulgence. Opening times at the Spa vary seasonally, but it is generally open between 7.30 – 8.00am, closing between 7.30 – 9.00pm.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re looking for a weekend break, a fabulous meal, afternoon tea or even a garden tour, all information and booking options can be found on the Bodysgallen Hall & Spa website linked below.
GETTING TO BODYSGALLEN HALL & SPA | The hotel can be easily access by car, or via the Llandudno Junction railway station, which is only two miles away. By car, exit the A55 expressway at Junction 19 then follow the A470 (The Royal Welsh Way) for 2 miles, where the driveway is signposted to the right. By rail, Llandudno Junction has direct rail access with London Euston. Guests can be met at the railway station by pre-arranged taxi if required. The address is Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, The Royal Welsh Way, Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 1RS.
RELATED CONTENT
If you’re looking to explore the surrounding area while staying at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, take a look at the articles below:
THINGS TO DO IN LLANDUDNO: YOUR GUIDE TO NORTH WALES’ PREMIER VICTORIAN SEASIDE RESORT
A STUNNING WALK FROM LLANDUDNO TO CONWY ON THE WALES COAST PATH
THINGS TO DO IN CONWY: A LOCAL’S GUIDE
Looking to extend your North Wales stay? Click the image below for a detailed guide to North Wales, and some of my personal highlights.
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