Discover The Royal George, Tintern — A Luxurious Stay in the Heart of the Wye Valley
A Journey to the Wye Valley: Where England Meets Wales
“Oh sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods, how often has my spirit turned to thee!” So wrote William Wordsworth 227 years ago in his poem Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey. And I am repeating them here because I happen to be in Tintern, looking across at the River Wye.
The Wye at Tintern
Like a great many West Country folk, I have visited this most beautiful of valleys on several occasions and never failed to be impressed by the green and glorious ebb and flow of its waters reflecting the stately forests that divide England and Wales.
That is what the Wye Valley does. On one bank of the river you’re on home turf in England’s Westcountry; on the other you’ve gone abroad to Gwalia, to give Wales its archaic, poetic name.
Tintern Abbey
Staying at The Royal George Hotel, Tintern
I am abroad as I write, looking across the river to England, sitting in a luxurious suite of an ancient coaching inn that has recently been completely refurbished — The Royal George, a fantastic find in Tintern.
Having stayed the night and consumed a wonderful dinner and breakfast, I can confirm: it’s a treat. Original Welsh flagstones and timber beams have been lovingly revealed, preserving architectural details and the spirit of the hotel. An earthy colour palette, tactile soft furnishings, rough-hewn surfaces, reclaimed Welsh slate, traditional panelling, and lime-washed paints provide a contemporary, rustic feel.
Affordable Luxury in the Wye Valley
But the words “ancient coaching inn” and “completely refurbished” might be translated into a single word by experienced travellers: expensive. However, The Royal George manages to offer a first-class experience for less than you’d expect.
Rooms start from £165 per night, and a main course in the upmarket Upper Deck restaurant ranges between £20 and £30.
“It was always our intention to create a truly magnificent offering that would also keep the local a ‘local’,” says regional operations manager Joe Costa. “That is part of our ethos, and villagers continue to be an important part of our offering — that’s the essence of what we’re trying to achieve.”
Thoughtful Design and Local Connection
Greyheath Collections, which also manages luxury properties in Italy, worked with London-based interior designer Camilla Kelly from The Mint List on this Tintern project. The newly revamped inn now has 20 rooms, making it an ideal base for a weekend break or romantic escape in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“Since our reopening in August after a 19-month closure, the hotel has been immensely popular. Absolutely packed!” says Joe Costa.
The Perfect Base for Exploring Tintern and the Wye Valley
Of course, the inn’s prime location helps. Tintern is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, and canoeists, offering easy access to Tintern Abbey, the Offa’s Dyke Path, and the scenic River Wye.
“It’s about restoring a gathering place that has been woven into Tintern’s fabric for over four centuries,” Joe adds. “We take care of our locals and get involved with any village activities. We offer top London quality, yet the prices are very reasonable.”
Rooms with Heritage and Character
The Royal George offers ‘Garden Rooms’ (some dog-friendly, others with patios or balconies) and six ‘Heritage Rooms’ in the old coaching inn building. These are named after Welsh and nautical figures, including the Dean Brothers, inventors of the original diving helmet — whose first salvage mission was on a ship called The Royal George.
Genuine Hospitality and Fine Dining
Part of the inn’s newfound popularity is down to Mr Costa and his team. As someone who visits many establishments for these pages, I can say their warmth and professionalism are exceptional.
Joe Costa’s background includes years as a high-level chef on super-yachts for the ultra-wealthy — and he’s brought that sense of quality and service to Tintern, combined with genuine local care.
Meet Executive Chef Gareth Hope
Another key figure in The Royal George’s success is Executive Chef Gareth Hope, whose menus focus on local, seasonal ingredients: Hereford beef, Monmouth pork, Welsh lamb, and fresh seafood from Brixham and Cornwall.
Executive Chef Gareth Hope
“We simply go for the best stuff,” says Gareth. “We let the beef, the lamb and the seafood speak for itself.”
The open-plan Upper Deck Restaurant allows diners to watch the chefs at work, adding to the atmosphere of connection and transparency.
My dinner of fresh Brixham crab-cake followed by Cornish plaice was superb — the restaurant buzzing with happy diners even on a mid-October Thursday.
Location: So Near, Yet So Far
It might feel like travelling abroad for many readers, but Tintern is only 15 minutes from the Severn Bridge — and the inn is just a one-minute walk across the old Cable Bridge from England into Wales, across that famous and scenic “wanderer through the woods”, the River Wye.
Visit: www.theroyalgeorge.com
Explore More Around Tintern
Kingstone Brewery: Local Ale in the Wye Valley
During our stay, the Royal George team introduced us to local characters, starting with Ed and Tori Biggs, who run Kingstone Brewery, just up the valley.
“We’ve been brewing for 20 years,” says Ed. “We started out selling vegetables, but the beer sold better!”
Kingstone produces eight different ales, from traditional bitters to modern citrusy styles. Their Kingstone Gold (4%) is a light golden ale perfect for session drinking, while their IPA (5.8%) nods to the area’s maritime heritage.
Visitors can book tastings at the brewery bar and meet the brewers themselves.
Forest Bathing and Foraging at Hill Farm
High above the valley, Hill Farm offers forest bathing and yoga retreats, run by Tom Court and his team. Guests at The Royal George can join two-hour forest sessions or book massages and wellness treatments.
“We’ve been here for seven years,” says Tom. “It’s about slowing down and connecting with the forest.”
Hill Farm also collaborates with Jessica Lucas, a medical herbalist and foraging guide from the Forest of Dean.
Jessica Lucas, a medical herbalist
“The wilder and fresher the food you can get, the more nutritional and medicinal it will be,” says Jess. “Herbal medicine and foraging go hand in hand.”
Learn more:
https://hillfarmtintern.co.uk
https://herbalways.net
Final Thoughts: Tintern’s Timeless Appeal
From Wordsworth’s “sylvan Wye” to the contemporary comfort of The Royal George, Tintern remains a place where landscape, literature, and hospitality meet.
Whether you come for a romantic escape, a walking holiday, or simply a good meal and a pint, this part of the Wye Valley will always invite you to pause — and to turn your spirit toward the river once more.
