The Royal George reopens in the Wye Valley with a renewed sense of confidence, reclaiming its original name and restoring its place in local memory. A short stroll from Tintern Abbey, the inn carries with it centuries of stories, including murmurs that parts of its structure were fashioned from timber salvaged from the wreck of HMS Royal George. Following an extensive redesign by Camilla Kelly of The Mint List, the historic pub and hotel emerges with a lived-in ease that is entirely fitting of the building’s rich history.
Original flagstones and exposed beams celebrate the building’s past, giving the interiors a sense of authenticity and character. Earthy greens, soft ochres and gentle natural textures feature throughout, while Welsh slate, hand-finished stonework and oak and birch timbers add depth.
Kelly infuses style through antiques and art — Melin Tregwynt textiles, oil paintings in the manner of Kyffin Williams, bespoke furniture from Forest to Home — that have a sense of having been collected rather than curated. A restored brass ship’s window leads into the restaurant, and an old ship’s bell bearing the insignia of George VI marks is rang to signify the last orders each evening.
The cobbled entrance and oak haberdashery desk set a warm first impression before the building unfolds into bright café spaces. Down in the Lower Deck, fires crackle beside antique screens and a curved oak bar, while the Upper Deck restaurant centres around a generous kitchen pass with its reclaimed slate tiles catching the light from the grill.
Across the grounds, the timber-framed Garden Marquee nods to the Abbey’s architecture. Six Heritage Rooms reference figures from Welsh history and maritime lore, pairing the building’s sloping lines and lowered doorways with checks, stripes, knot motifs and locally sourced oak desks. Garden rooms offer a simpler, more rustic stay, each one opening onto the valley.
Considered, grounded and simply beautiful, The Royal George offers an opportunity to step into history and soak up a rich and warm atmosphere.
@theroyalgeorgetintern
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The Royal George Wye Valley Photography, Dave Watts.
