Riversdale House, a Victorian townhouse B&B in Llangollen, has been praised as one of the best places to stay in Wales. The property, which won the North Wales Tourism Awards in 2023, offers spacious rooms with panoramic views of the River Dee, Town Falls, the Berwyn mountains, and the heritage steam railway. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast delivered to their door each morning.
A stay to remember
The B&B is run by hosts Olivia and Georgina, who are described as welcoming with excellent local knowledge. The three rooms feature elegant decor, including high ceilings, bay windows, and traditional wooden furniture. Room 2, the largest, boasts an antique king-size bed, a large bay window with views of the river and railway, and an en-suite bathroom with a big bath and powerful shower.
The view from the window is among the best experienced in a Welsh B&B, with guests able to watch kayakers and rafters on the fast-flowing River Dee. Little touches like complimentary Welshcakes, Pringles, bubble bath, and robes add to the appeal. Breakfast, consisting of pastries, toast, fruit, yoghurt, and juice, is served in the room, allowing for a lazy morning.
Rates and booking
Room rates typically start around £115 to £134 per night, depending on the season and booking platform. Reservations can be made directly via the Riversdale House website or through major booking platforms like Booking.com.
Exploring Llangollen
The B&B is centrally located for exploring Llangollen, a riverside town that blends industrial history with Welsh mythology. The area is home to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 'stream in the sky' is the highest navigable aqueduct globally and the oldest in Britain, designed by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop. Visitors can take canal boat trips or guided kayaking excursions across the aqueduct with local firms like Bearded Men Adventures.
For adventure seekers, guided rafting trips on the River Dee feature rapids ranging from grades 2 to 4, with sections named Serpent's Tail, Tombstones, and Town Falls. A more leisurely option is a traditional horse-drawn boat journey towards the Horseshoe Falls, constructed around 1808.
Dining and local attractions
Llangollen offers a variety of dining options, including The Corn Mill with riverside terrace, The Wharf Tea Room, Llangollen Oggie Shop for Welsh oggies, Gales Wine Bar, and Cottage Tearooms and Bistro. The area also features historical sites like a Gothic bridge, Cistercian abbeys, and the remains of Castell Dinas Bran.
