Mellington Hall Country House Hotel

A Victorian country house hotel set in 270 acres near Montgomery

Mellington Hall stands at the end of a mile-long, tree-lined drive on the mid-Wales and Shropshire border, a few minutes from the market town of Montgomery and the village of Churchstoke. Built in the 19th century by the Wright family — Derbyshire industrialists whose Butterley Company ironwork still holds up the roof of London’s St Pancras Station — it is a characterful Victorian house with Gothic touches, entered inside by a fine Gothic staircase. As one of the few country house hotels in and around Montgomery, it sits in 270 acres of its own park and farmland, so it is genuinely quiet: the sort of place you can settle into and not need to leave. With 11 en-suite bedrooms, a panelled restaurant and bar, five open fires and miles of walking from the door, it makes a warm, dog-friendly base for exploring the Welsh Marches.

The hall and its history

By the 1950s the Hall was almost derelict and facing demolition. It was saved in 1959 by Jack Evans, grandfather of the present owner, who bought the house and parkland and later created a holiday park in the grounds to fund the Hall’s restoration — and planted many of the rare and unusual trees that still grace the estate. Restoration continues to this day, and the house keeps its period character: wood-panelled lounges, ornate fireplaces and that Gothic 19th-century staircase.

Rooms

There are 11 individually decorated en-suite bedrooms, all on the first floor. Because of the character of the building each is different, but all are spacious, with a TV, tea and coffee tray, hairdryer, toiletries, free wi-fi — and a boot tray for muddy walking boots. Several can be made up as twins and two work as family rooms. Many look out over the parkland to the front, or across to the Long Mynd and the Shropshire Hills. At the top end, the Mellington Suite has a king-size four-poster bed and a jacuzzi bath, while newly refurbished rooms such as the French-style Anchor add a fresh, bright feel.

Eating, drinking and open fires

The bar and restaurant are in the main Hall, where the kitchen serves breakfast, dinner and a popular Sunday lunch. Afternoon tea is a speciality, best enjoyed sinking into a deep sofa in front of one of the Hall’s five open fires. There is free wi-fi throughout.

Deer park, woodland walks and wildlife

The grounds are a large part of the appeal. The estate’s ancient woodland is a remnant of a large Elizabethan deer park, still dominated by unusually shaped 400-year-old veteran oaks that are home to rare lichens and beetles. A newly built, colour-coded woodland walk winds through the estate and down to the pools, where an abundance of wildlife gathers — ducks, swans and geese on the water, rabbits in the fields, and woodpeckers and kingfishers among the trees. The Offa’s Dyke Path runs right through the grounds, and there is coarse fishing on a well-stocked pool for residents.

Dog-friendly

Well-behaved dogs are more than welcome. Best of all, they can be let off the lead to run freely along the colour-coded woodland walk through the Hall’s own grounds, and every bedroom has a boot tray ready for muddy paws and boots after a walk.

At a glance

• 11 individually decorated en-suite bedrooms, most with parkland or hill views
• Restaurant, bar and afternoon tea; five open fires and wood-panelled lounges
• Dog-friendly — dogs off the lead on the woodland walk; boot trays in every room
• 270 acres of private park and farmland, once an Elizabethan deer park
• Colour-coded woodland walks and an abundance of wildlife
• Offa’s Dyke Path through the grounds; coarse fishing on site
• Free wi-fi throughout; ample parking
• From £175 per night

Exploring the area

Mellington Hall is well placed for the quieter corners of the Welsh Marches. The historic market town of Montgomery, with its ruined castle looking out over the hills, is close by, as is Churchstoke. Walkers have the Offa’s Dyke Path on the doorstep and the wild heathland of the Long Mynd a short drive away in the Shropshire Hills. Powis Castle and its celebrated gardens (National Trust) sit near Welshpool, the independent shops of Bishop’s Castle make a pleasant outing, and Kerry Vale Vineyard is within walking distance for a tour and tasting. Several golf courses are close too.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mellington Hall dog-friendly? Yes — well-behaved dogs are welcome, and they can run off the lead along the colour-coded woodland walk in the grounds. Every bedroom has a boot tray for muddy boots and paws.

How many rooms does the hotel have? Eleven individually decorated en-suite bedrooms, ranging from doubles and twins to family rooms and the four-poster Mellington Suite.

Where is Mellington Hall? On the mid-Wales and Shropshire border near Montgomery and Churchstoke, Powys (SY15 6HX), at the end of a mile-long private drive. Follow the B4385 and look for the signs — the postcode alone covers a wide rural area.

Is there a restaurant? Yes — a restaurant and bar in the Hall serving breakfast, dinner, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea.

Are there walks from the hotel? Yes — colour-coded woodland walks in the 270-acre grounds, the Offa’s Dyke Path running through the estate, and the Long Mynd nearby.