Scrambled eggs are a popular breakfast dish, but they can be hard to perfect

Scrambled eggs are a breakfast staple for countless people, with numerous recipes available online, yet they can prove tricky to perfect. They can transform from undercooked to overcooked within moments, becoming rubbery and bland. While many add milk to enhance their eggs’ flavour, one GoodFood chef has revealed a superior ingredient to use instead.

This recipe boasts 150 five-star ratings, with users praising the eggs’ deliciousness. User JudeMabe commented: “This recipe is perfect,” while user Nickd noted that the eggs were “creamier” than they’d ever imagined possible. The recipe notes explained: “Learn how to make scrambled eggs in a pan with this easy, foolproof recipe. This speedy breakfast is packed with protein and takes just 10 minutes.”

Ingredients:

• Two large free-range eggs
• Six tablespoons of single cream
• A knob of butter

Method:

Lightly whisk together two large eggs, six tablespoons of single cream, and a pinch of salt until the mixture reaches one consistency.

Heat a small non-stick frying pan for approximately a minute, then add a knob of butter and allow it to melt. Ensure the butter doesn’t brown, as this will discolour the eggs.

Pour in the egg mixture and leave it for 20 seconds before stirring with a wooden spoon. Lift the eggs and fold them over from the bottom of the pan.

Leave it for another 10 seconds, then stir and fold again.

Repeat this process until the eggs are softly set and slightly runny in places.

At this point, remove the pan from the heat and let the eggs finish cooking for a brief while.

This crucial step ensures the eggs do not become overcooked.

Give the pan one final stir with the wooden spoon and serve the “velvety” scrambled eggs immediately on toast.

Incorporating cream into scrambled eggs produces a richer, creamier and more tender result, as the additional fat lends a more indulgent consistency.

It can also help slow the cooking process, reducing the likelihood of the eggs turning dry and rubbery.

It is worth noting, however, that adding too much cream can dilute the egg flavour and leave the dish feeling overly heavy.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Myles Beardsley suffered devastating injuries after he was allegedly shot on April 4 while spending the night with a friend – he spent 38 days in intensive care

A 12-year-old boy has been left paralysed after he was allegedly shot during a sleepover at a friend’s house.

Myles Beardsley suffered devastating injuries after being shot on April 4 while spending the night with a friend. Mum Alora Beardsley said she and her husband Robert, 51, were at home watching Harry Potter when their lives changed forever ” later receiving a call to say there had been an accident.

“Myles had been asking all week if he could spend the night at his friend’s and we said we’d think about it,” Alora, 39, from Rochester, Washington, USA, told creatorzine.com.

Eventually the pair agreed he could go but she described the decision as “the biggest regret of my life.”

Doctors said Myles had four gunshot wounds entering his body and neck and leaving through his spine. Alora said: “I went to see him and there was blood everywhere but he was awake. I kissed my baby, told him he was safe, alive and I’m so sorry that it happened to him.”

Myles was transferred to another hospital that could deal with the severe trauma to his spine where he was rushed into a nine-hour surgery to stabilise his spine with rods and screws.

Alora said: “Before surgery, we kissed his face, told him we loved him and let him know we were there. We were terrified. Then they told us that he’d be paralysed from the neck down. It was devastating. We couldn’t believe what we were hearing.”

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When Myles woke, he was unable to speak so his dad developed a painstaking communication system where Robert recited the alphabet and Myles blinked when the correct letter was reached.

He later underwent another surgery after doctors discovered injuries to his trachea and esophagus.

The family spent weeks by his bedside waiting for his neck wounds to heal enough for a tracheotomy procedure After the procedure, his heart stopped. Thankfully, doctors were able to revive him immediately.

Alora said: “It was the worst experience ever. It’s been the worst time of our lives.”

After spending 38 days in intensive care, Myles was finally transferred to the rehabilitation floor, where he continues fighting to regain movement and independence. Throughout his recovery, Myles received visits from loved ones and his teacher.

Mum-of-three Alora said: “I think his most special visit was his favourite teacher. She brought an entire bag of handmade cards and letters from all his classmates and friends. Almost every single card states how school isn’t the same and they miss their class clown.

“They send such heartfelt letters that when I read them to Myles he cries happy tears and sad tears. Myles is loved by so many people. He is such a pure soul, he loves everyone, he goes out of his way to make you smile and he truly cares about everyone. If someone is sad, Myles is always there to cheer them up. He’s just that type of person and I’m so lucky to be his mom. He makes me so proud.”

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The investigation into the shooting is reportedly ongoing.

Alora said: “From our understanding, there was a gun in the house and one of the children got hold of it. It’s so very sad to know that my baby has lost so much because of that. It breaks my heart in ways I never knew existed. I wish I’d never let him go.”

The family is fundraising to help cover expenses while they remain in Seattle with Myles.

You can donate to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.

Ahead of the game, he told Press Association: “We’re here tonight for Scotland’s opening game of the World Cup, Scotland playing Haiti, and we’ve thrown open the doors of the Hydro to welcome Scots who have been unable to get to America, but want to come and celebrate and have a bit of a fun experience.”

The Bay Horse in Ravensworth, near Richmond, currently holds a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor from more than 300 reviews, making it one of the highest-rated pubs in North Yorkshire.

Nestled in the small village of Ravensworth, the pub has become a destination in its own right, attracting visitors from across the county and beyond thanks to its “acclaimed food”, “welcoming atmosphere”, and “reputation for exceptional service,” according to visitors.

The Bay Horse in Ravensworth, near Richmond (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

The family-owned business prides itself on serving locally sourced produce, including fresh fish from Hartlepool, locally reared meats and beers from nearby breweries.

While traditional pub favourites feature on the menu, many visitors say it is the seafood dishes that set the Bay Horse apart.

One recent diner described the restaurant as a “great find”, praising the scallops and monkfish and adding: “Both were amazing. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food was quick to arrive and everything piping hot.”

Another reviewer urged visitors to book early, writing: “Fish dishes are excellent, book early, it is very popular.”

The quality of the food is a recurring theme throughout hundreds of reviews.

One customer simply summed up their visit with: “In a word, wow.”

They praised the Sunday roast and singled out the bread and butter pudding with whisky glaze, describing it as being “from another planet”.

Others say the Sunday lunches are among the best they have experienced.

A visitor who regularly travels around the region, trying different roasts, wrote: “Bay Horse Ravensworth outshines them all. Both quality and quantity are on a different level.”

Beyond the food, reviewers frequently praise the atmosphere and hospitality.

One guest described the Bay Horse as “one of the best golden gems”, adding that both evening meals and Sunday lunches had been outstanding.

Another wrote: “A warm welcome, amazing food and attentive staff all made for a perfect evening.”

The pub’s reputation has become so strong that some diners travel significant distances specifically to eat there.

A seafood lover visiting from outside the area described the venue as having a “beautiful location, superb service and thoroughly enjoyable food”, while another called it a “must-visit” destination after being recommended the pub by friends.

The Bay Horse was also recognised in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards, placing it among the platform’s highest-rated venues.

Located just a short drive from Richmond, the pub sits in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside and has become a popular choice for celebrations, family gatherings and special occasions.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nara Organics recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online Saturday after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, federal authorities said.

Three babies between 2 and 5 months became ill in April and May in California, Pennsylvania and Washington after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered infant formula, which is also sold on Nara.com, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

They were hospitalized and treated with the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism, the agency said.

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs in babies under age 1, whose gut microbiomes are immature. It is caused when infants consume bacteria with spores that produce a toxin in the gut.

Symptoms include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing and breathing problems, among others.

Babies who develop those symptoms need immediate medical attention. The sole treatment is BabyBIG, an IV medication made from blood plasma of people immunized against botulism.

Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, and the outbreak does not create shortage concerns for parents and caregivers, the FDA said.

People who have the formula are urged to stop using it immediately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said in a statement. The formula is manufactured in Europe but sold only in the U.S., it added.

The CDC recommended that anyone with an opened can take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date and watch their infants for symptoms.

“Label it ‘DO NOT USE’ and keep it stored in a safe place away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month,” the CDC said. “If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.”

But the journey behind The Castle of Stories, released on June 4, began much closer to home.

Long before he became a bestselling novelist, journalist, broadcaster and MBE recipient, the Bury-born, Bolton-raised writer was a book-loving boy making regular trips to libraries across the town and dreaming of a future he could not quite see.

His mum was a passionate reader and rarely missed an opportunity to take him to local libraries.

From Tonge Moor and Harwood to Bolton Central Library, their shelves became the starting point for a lifelong love of stories.

Matt said: “I loved reading and I loved telling stories, but I didn’t know how to do it.

“I was from quite a working-class background. My mum and dad were both from council estates and we didn’t know anybody who earned a living from writing or creativity.”

Matt joined by husband Harry Glasstone, mum Lynda Cain and sister, Ruth Dunphy, receiving his MBE. (Image: Matt Cain)

Today, Matt is one of Britain’s best-known LGBTQ+ authors.

Yet as he celebrates the release of his latest novel and prepares to return to Bolton Library this weekend for a special talk, he still remembers a time when a career in books felt impossibly far away.

Matt Cain in Bolton Waterstones (Image: NQ)

After attending St Columba’s Primary School in Tonge Moor, St Gabriel’s CE High School in Bury and later Bury College, Matt gained a place at Cambridge University.

For the first time, he found himself surrounded by people whose families worked in publishing, television and the arts, opening his eyes to possibilities he had never encountered growing up.

“When I was at Cambridge, I met lots of people from different backgrounds, often people who had grown up with parents or relatives in the creative industries,” he said.

“I started to see that it was a possibility.”

Even then, finding a way into those industries proved anything but straightforward.

When he graduated, Matt wrote 211 letters applying for jobs across the creative industries – physical envelopes sent out in the hope that somebody, somewhere, might give him a chance.

Only one company replied.

“That was from a TV production company in Manchester,” he said.

And it was enough. The opportunity launched a career in television production and eventually journalism, where Matt built a reputation as an arts and culture specialist, later becoming Culture Editor at Channel 4 News and Editor-in-Chief of Attitude magazine.

Yet despite carving out a successful career in media, becoming a novelist proved even more difficult.

His debut novel, The Madonna of Bolton, was inspired by his own experiences growing up gay in the North West. But when he tried to get it published, he repeatedly encountered the same response.

“The Madonna of Bolton was rejected over 50 times,” he said.

“What I kept being told was, ‘it’s too gay for a mainstream audience. This is too niche. People won’t connect with it’.”

Having experienced homophobic bullying growing up, hearing that stories like his were not commercially viable, reopened old wounds.

He said: “It rips open those wounds again.

“From when I was growing up and had homophobic bullying and people didn’t like me because of who I was.

“But I never stopped believing in the book.”

Still, he refused to give up and that determination eventually paid off.

Released in 2018, The Madonna of Bolton was successfully crowdfunded and launched the writing career he had dreamed about since childhood.

Since then, Matt has built a devoted readership and become one of the country’s most recognisable LGBTQ+ authors.

His novel The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle became his biggest-selling book, and five years after publication, readers are still contacting him about it.

“I still get messages every day from readers about that book,” he said.

“A lot of women tell me it reminds them of their gay brother or gay uncle who’s not with us anymore.”

Despite its critics, Matt believes social media has played a major role in helping writers connect directly with audiences.

In fact, he believes his career may never have happened without it.

“I crowdfunded my first novel and a lot of that interest happened online,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for social media, I don’t think I’d actually have a career as a writer.”

His latest novel, The Castle of Stories, continues many of the themes that have run throughout his work: family, belonging, identity and the journey towards self-acceptance.

Matt and his husband Harry Glasstone, and dog, Teddy. (Image: The Author’s Lounge)

The story follows 45-year-old Adam, who unexpectedly inherits a farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a relative he never knew existed.

Leaving Manchester behind, he moves to Italy with his boyfriend Theo and, unexpectedly, Theo’s children in tow.

As renovations begin, Adam uncovers long-buried secrets that force him to confront his past and rethink what family, belonging and queer joy can look like.

The inspiration came from Matt’s own life. His husband, Harry Glasstone, owns a centuries-old farmhouse in Tuscany where the couple regularly spend time with family.

Cain said: “It’s gorgeous and beautiful. It’s falling apart, but it’s so romantic.

“Some of the stones are a thousand years old.”

“When I’m there, I always think about people walking around a thousand years ago and thinking about their own dreams and dramas and passions,” he said.

Family holidays there involving relatives from Bolton and Bury helped shape much of the novel’s emotional heart.

“When I’m there, I always think about people walking around a thousand years ago and thinking about their own dreams and dramas and passions,” he said.

Yet despite the Tuscan setting, Matt insists the story remains rooted in the same themes that have always interested him.

“I always like to write about working-class northern characters,” he said.

“It’s about self-discovery and the journey towards self-love.

“It’s somebody going away thinking they’re escaping, but actually that escape brings them closer to who they really are.”

Alongside promoting the novel, Matt is now focusing on helping other writers find opportunities he once struggled to find.

This week, he opened submissions for Pansy Books, an independent publishing house dedicated to LGBTQ+ authors.

Created in response to what Matt sees as a continued lack of attention given to queer novels for mainstream audiences, Pansy aims to champion LGBTQ+ authors whose stories resonate far beyond a single community.

Husband and business partner! (Image: The Author’s Lounge)

Publishing, he says, can still feel like an exclusive world.

“I’d often be the only person in the conversation who hadn’t gone to a private school,” he said.

“The only person in the conversation with a regional accent.

“I always felt like an outsider.”

Now he hopes to make the path easier for others and his advice to aspiring writers is simple.

“Find out everything you can. Read. Show your work to people you trust. Listen to feedback.

“Don’t let anybody talk you out of it.

“Keep the faith and believe in yourself.”

On Sunday, June 14, Bolton Library will host the author and copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day, with Matt signing books for readers afterwards.

For the boy who once wandered the aisles of Bolton’s libraries wondering how writers became writers, it is a fitting full-circle moment.

There was a time when he could not see a route into the creative industries.

Today, his hope is that others might see that path a little more clearly than he did.

After all, as Matt Cain puts it: “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.”

Book free tickets on Eventbrite.

The ticket guarantees a seat, but walk‑ins are welcome too.

Andy Burnham will almost certainly launch a campaign to replace Sir Keir Starmer, writes Sunday Mail Opinion.

If Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday it will have ­ramifications well beyond the north-west of England.

The Manchester mayor will almost certainly launch an immediate campaign to replace Sir Keir Starmer and could even sweep into Downing Street unopposed.

Former ministers Wes Streeting and Al Carns are desperate to challenge for the job and Starmer has vowed to fight to stay in post but it is far from clear any of them have the necessary support.

Starmer’s premiership has been an unmitigated disaster from the beginning.

He has never recovered from a botched attempt to cut the winter fuel allowance, the appointment of Peter Mandelson, and failing to fully condemn Israel’s slaughter of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

But there is no guarantee that replacing the PM at this point will make things better – and a real risk they will get worse.

Just ask the Tories how replacing Boris Johnson with Liz Truss and then Rishi Sunak worked out.

Burnham is an astute political operator with bags of ministerial experience but without carrying the baggage of association with Starmer’s crumbling administration.

He is viewed as being on Labour’s soft left with notable success in sticking up for Manchester during the pandemic and delivering a publicly operated bus service.

There is a suspicion however that he is a political chameleon who may not have the backbone to see a programme of real reform through when the going gets tough.

He previously backed voting reform, abolition of the House of Lords, sweeping nationalisation of utilities and devolution across the UK with more mayoralties.

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From a Scottish perspective, John Swinney will be keen to know whether Burnham still believes – as he told the Sunday Mail in 2022 – that blocking indefinitely a second referendum is not credible.

At Westminster, there will be questions over how pushing power out of London – when many local authorities are controlled by Reform – will improve public services.

A drive to bring utilities back under public ownership is a long term plan which could be transformative but it is unlikely to result in tangible benefits in the short term.

Winning the top job could be the easy part for Burnham.

Convincing the country he is the man for the job and defeating the dark rise of the far right with a message of hope and optimism will be a far bigger challenge.

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Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has been told they haven’t ‘made enough improvement’

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service must do more “to keep people safe and secure” despite improvements, an inspection report has said.

Inspector Lee Freeman said they were satisfied with some areas, such as “how the service provides its protection activities and identifies risks”, but there are “areas in which the service needs to improve”.

Ten areas of performance were looked at – down from 11 in previous years – with each graded on a scale from outstanding to inadequate. CFRS was graded good in two areas – understanding fire and risk and public safety through fire regulation, adequate in five and requires improvement in three.

Mr Freeman said the service had improved on six of the eight areas they identified at the last inspection in 2023, but “despite this progress, it hasn’t made enough improvement”.

Though the service was found to meet response time targets, with the first fire engine on scene faster on average than other comparable services, they were told to improve the availability of on-call fire engines. Mr Freeman said the service had introduced “crews of three” where on-call staff respond to all incidents when only three firefighters are available.

The service said “a three-person crew could deal with a wide range of incident types” but “in the less common situation where someone was trapped inside a burning building, firefighters would only enter the building when at least four crew members were present”.

Mr Freeman said: “Firefighters reported experiencing moral pressure when they arrived at a house fire where someone may be trapped but they were unable to enter until a second fire engine arrived. To address this, the service should strengthen the training and guidance provided to on-call firefighters.”

The service was also found to have taken only “limited positive action to diversify its workforce” and “still needs to do more to increase staff diversity”. He said the service “continues to have strong financial management” but senior leaders must make sure “there are effective oversight arrangements in place”.

He said they showed “strong intent, effective practices and significant commitment” but “didn’t always maintain effective strategic oversight of important organisational functions”.

The service was told to improve their performance in responding to fires and emergencies, ensuring fairness and diversity and leading people effectively.

Mr Freeman said: “Overall, there is a clear commitment from staff and senior leaders to improve. The foundations for an effective fire and rescue service exist.”

Chief fire officer Matthew Warren thanked the inspectorate for their assessment and said “the majority of the areas highlighted for improvement are things we are already aware of and are working towards improving.”

He said: “We are a small fire and rescue service and we prioritise our areas of focus based on risk and resources, knowing we cannot do everything at once.

“Having an independent team come in and look at what we do, recognise what we do well and suggesting where they think we can improve, ensures we continue to deliver the best service we can to the communities we serve. I am confident our plans to improve the highlighted areas will see positive outcomes over the coming months.”

There is one lakeside destination I have visited a few times now that I think has a lot to offer adventurous visitors and travellers who love a slice of luxury.

I love a weekend away in Wales’ most scenic spots, and we certainly have plenty to choose from. There is one lakeside destination I have visited a few times now that I think has a lot to offer adventurous visitors and travellers who love a slice of luxury.

Bala is perched on the northern edge of Llyn Tegid, a freshwater glacial lake surrounded by the soaring peaks, and it is where you’ll find Palé Hall Hotel, the proud recipient of a MICHELIN Star key, which recognises hotels for outstanding stays.

This new way of recognising the best hotels in the world includes three properties in Wales, including Grove of Narberth, Penmaenuchaf and Palé Hall, which are named in The MICHELIN Guide as must-visit destinations.

On October 8, inspectors also revealed the new “Key” distinctions, which, like Michelin Stars for restaurants, highlight the most outstanding hotels in the UK and Ireland.

Palé Hall has long been one of my favourite hotels in Wales, and I’ve stayed several times. With its illustrious history and lavish décor, this 18-room Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for a swanky escape on the edge of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), with access to trails, lakes, and adventure activities.

Bala is perched on the northern edge of Llyn Tegid, a freshwater glacial lake surrounded by the soaring peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr, and the Berwyn Mountains. The lake here is renowned for its impressive mountain scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for fishing and swimming.

This historic market town brims with charm and strong Welsh culture, with a high percentage of Welsh speakers. While the lake is the obvious draw, the town is also worth exploring for speciality shops, local pubs, and cafes.

Along with its scenic surroundings, Bala has a long history. It was founded by Royal Charter around 1310 by Roger de Mortimer of Chirk Castle. In 1485, Henry Tudor’s army marched through the area on its journey to the Battle of Bosworth.

In the 18th century, the town was a hub for manufacturing flannel, stockings, and gloves. It’s since become a tourist hotspot, drawing visitors from all over the UK and beyond.

Bala has a surprising religious connection as documented in the Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre, which tells the story of a Welsh girl on a holy mission.

In 1800, after saving money for six years, 15-year-old Mary Jones walked 26 miles from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant to Bala to buy a much-yearned-for Bible. Her faith-driven journey inspired the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

At the Grade II-listed centre, you can follow Mary’s pilgrimage and explore what happened through multimedia and interactive displays, exhibits, and activities.

For train lovers, the Bala Lake Railway is a must-visit for history lovers and train nerds (enthusiasts). This delightful narrow-gauge railway line runs along the southern shores of Llyn Tegid, offering an enchanting hour-long journey from Llanuwchllyn to Bala on a retro choo-choo. Blimming marvellous.

Local enthusiasts lovingly restored the line after the original Ruabon-Barmouth railway closed in the 1960s.

It uses vintage locomotives that once transported slate from the region’s quarries, adding a touch of historical delight to your rail adventure.

This nine-mile cruise runs from the village of Llanuwchllyn to the outskirts of Bala, four and a half miles away. Kick back, relax, and enjoy lush views of the lake, surrounding woodland scenery, and the nearby mountains Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn, and Aran Fawddwy.

For outdoor lovers, Bala is a hub of adventure, offering a range of activities, including rafting, fishing, swimming, and sailing.

The National White Water Centre, based in Bala, is a must-do for thrill seekers. Here, thundering water is regularly released from a dam into the River Tryweryn – a steep, fast-flowing mountain waterway that creates predictable rapids all year round.

Rafting is an adventure activity where you navigate a fast-flowing river in an inflatable raft, usually with a small team and a guide who (thankfully) knows what they are doing.

Armed with paddles, helmets, and nerves of varying steadiness, you work together to steer through swirling currents, drops, and foamy “rapids”, which are graded from gentle bobbing to a full-on rollercoaster ride through frothing waters.

Bounce and tumble along world-class grade three-to-four rapids on a river course impressive enough to have hosted international whitewater events.

To safely experience the rush of rafting, take a guided rafting trip and enjoy the adrenaline of paddling through surging rapids with your boat buddies.

If you love hiking, Bala is a gateway to Wales’ most epic landscapes. To the west, the towering peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) offer rugged, dramatic trails, while the quieter Berwyn Mountains to the east provide a sense of wild, untouched beauty.

For families, there are several easy trails, including the Treasure Trail, which is suitable for pushchairs and slow scenic walks. You can also take a lakeside stroll along a marked path.

If you are interested in history and culture, there are heritage walks including the Town Trail, the Mary Jones Walk, and the Betsi Cadwaladr Trail.

If you’re looking for wild lake adventures, the legend-filled Llyn Tegid has the clearest water for outdoor swimming.

The lake is connected to the legend of Tegid Foel, the wicked husband of Ceridwen in Welsh mythology, known for his cruelty and opulent lifestyle. You can read more about this curious Welsh legend here.

In the vast waters of the mysterious lake, you can paddle, splash, or take an icy dip during the colder months.

For confident swimmers, the Big Bala Swim allows you to participate in an organised swim event with Love Swim Run.

The main open-water swim route is 4.5km, but if you want a bigger challenge, there is a 9km swim that covers two lengths of the 4.5km course.

After a day of adventure, there are several independent pubs and cafes for a big feed and a pint. The historic Plas Coch Hotel, originally built as a coaching inn around 1780, serves Welsh dishes using fresh local produce.

White Lion Royal Hotel Restaurant is another former coaching inn. It has a large dining room, log fires, and a selection of Brains real ales.

Where to stay

There are many lovely B&Bs, guest houses, and inns in the town and surrounding area. You can search for accommodation on sites like Sykes Cottages, holidaycottages.co.uk, and booking.com.

If you want a swanky stay in the area, I really recommend Palé Hall. With its illustrious history and lavish décor, this 18-room Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for a swanky escape, with access to trails, lakes, and adventure activities.

A member of Relais & Châteaux, Pride of Britain Hotels and Celebrated Experiences, swish Palé Hall is independently owned by Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, who took over the hotel in 2024.

The ambitious pair plan to add a spa and a second restaurant and potentially expand the number of bedrooms. They have also invested £200,000 to create exquisite Welsh art galleries.

Arriving at this large countryside hotel is an experience in itself. The historic exterior, framed by gardens, woodland and a backdrop of rolling hills, creates an immediate sense of occasion.

Inside is a curious mixture of grandeur and décor I would describe as a hipster fever dream. Imagine a grand staircase, chandeliers, and roaring fireplaces paired with patterned wallpaper and abundant taxidermy.

Spacious rooms and suites are individually styled with thoughtful touches, and some even have unique features like a stained-glass roof light, gorgeous baths, and antique beds.

Take a moment to chat with staff, and you’ll soon discover that dog-friendly Palé Hall is more than just your standard countryside escape. Its history is as captivating as its architecture, tracing back to the 15th century when the original house was first built.

Constructed in 1871 by the esteemed railway engineer Henry Robertson, the house oozes character and class. Known for his ambitious railway projects across Wales, Robertson spared no expense in creating a home that mirrored his success.

The hall, designed by architect Samuel Pountney Smith, is a beacon of elegance and grandeur with its honey-coloured stone and eclectic Jacobean style.

Over the years, Palé Hall has also hosted an impressive list of guests, including royalty. Queen Victoria visited in 1889, captivated by the house and its scenic surroundings. During her stay, she used a magnificent bath and slept in an ornate bed, both of which remain in the now aptly named Victorian Room, one of the many luxurious suites available if you want to splurge.

My favourite room is the Churchill suite, named after the man himself. In the 1950s, the hall became a favourite retreat for Winston Churchill, who often stayed while hunting on the estate’s expansive grounds. The Churchill Room preserves this historical connection, allowing guests to sleep in the grand room that once hosted the wartime leader.

Food-wise, you’re in great hands. For a truly special dining experience, the hotel’s Henry Robertson dining room is a must-visit. This elegant space, with its marble fireplace, ornate plaster ceilings, and chandeliers, sets the perfect scene for a fine dining feast.

As an AA three-rosette and Michelin Green Star establishment, Palé Hall takes pride in delivering impeccable cuisine that celebrates the finest British and Welsh produce.