The Crown at Whitebrook Hotel

WHITEBROOK NEAR MONMOUTH MONMOUTHSHIRE

The Wye Valley, with its wooded hills, rushing rivers and medieval ruins, is the picturesque setting for The Crown at Whitebrook, a restaurant with rooms that calls itself an ‘auberge’. Rightly so; executive chef James Sommerin’s seriously fine dining (the restaurant has retained its Michelin star for six years) wouldn’t be out of place in France, except for the odd Welsh nuance to the menu. You can opt for the six-course tasting menu at lunch or dinner, or the usual three courses. The loin of wild rabbit with almond, gingerbread and pear is a seriously good way to start your meal, followed by the poached and roasted sea bass with langoustine, artichoke and butternut squash. Afterwards, retire to one of the eight homely rooms with dark wood furniture and well-thumbed books. Doubles from £145.