Hammet House ★★★★

As you make your way up the long, sweeping driveway through leafy landscaped gardens and first lay eyes on Hammet House’s elegant, ivy-covered stone façade, it is easy to make assumptions about this quiet countryside retreat. Indeed, little has changed on the outside since the Georgian mansion was first built by Sir Benjamin Hammet back in 1795, and you may well imagine that on the inside it will all be just as traditional, quaint and twee. However, this is one book which you should not judge by its cover – Hammet House has been given a daring and creative facelift which has transformed it into a stylish boutique hotel, blending old-school splendour with contemporary luxury and design.

The hotel has by no means abandoned its rich history or the 18th century grandeur of the grade II listed building in which it resides. You can still enjoy a traditional afternoon tea beside the fire in the drawing room, and what better way to feel like lord and lady of the manor than taking a quiet stroll along the croquet lawn down towards the river? Yet there is more than a subtle nod towards the 21st century, with futuristic, brightly-coloured furniture, cardboard game trophies adorning the walls and even a Banksy-inspired stencil in the restaurant.

The furnishings and décor in the guest rooms combine both facets of the hotel’s personality. Meanwhile, there are lovely views over the gardens to complement the luxurious, ultramodern facilities such as Egyptian cotton linen, microfiber bedding and flat-screen TVs. This is all completed by soft, fluffy towels and high-end Ren toiletries in the lovely bathrooms, and a few home-baked biscuits on the drinks tray in the bedrooms.

Hammet House is certainly making a name for itself thanks to its unique character and charm, but its delicious local cuisine is also putting the old country house firmly back on the map. The young and undeniably talented head chef, Matt Smith, has concocted some enticing menus of what he describes as ‘modern British fine dining’. It’s all about taking traditional favourites and high-quality local produce to come up with new and exciting dishes with a quirky, contemporary twist – much like the hotel’s ethos in general. Though it is tempting to feast uncontrollably on the delicious breakfasts and afternoon teas, be sure to save space for an evening meal, with regularly changing menus packed full of absolutely irresistible options.

Pembrokeshire provides the perfect setting to walk off all that epicurean indulgence. The hotel’s seven acres of landscaped gardens provide plenty of walking trails amongst ancient trees, pristine lawns and along the clear, cascading river. You can even look out for wildlife including squirrels, otters, deer and salmon! Further afield, there is more walking to be found through the area’s wild hills, while some of the country’s most dramatic and scenic coastline is also within easy reach, where rugged cliffs meet beautiful beaches. With a choice of relaxing in the remote countryside or filling your time with the countless outdoor activities on offer, Hammet House is perfect for any occasion, whether you are looking for a romantic retreat or fun for the whole family!