Lighthouse Rd, St. Brides Wentlooge, United Kingdom | (251) 219-4428
Unique lighthouse property with quirky touches
Serene coastal setting overlooking the Severn Estuary
Four individually styled rooms -- some with sea views
Excellent cooked breakfast included in rate
Hot tub with Dr. Who Tardis changing room
Lamp room with 360-degree panoramas
Licensed for civil ceremonies
At end of bumpy
dirt track
Some bathrooms are tiny
View of some
industrial buildings
Slow Wi-Fi
The West Usk
Lighthouse is a unique bed-and-breakfast full of charming quirks set
overlooking the Severn Estuary on the Welsh south coast. While the quiet and
secluded location -- down a long dirt track -- feels remote, it's within easy
driving distance of both Newport and Cardiff. The four guest rooms vary in size
and views, though all are cozy and well maintained with nautical touches. The owner provides a hearty
cooked breakfast each morning, while guests can soak in the hot tub overlooking
the pretty surrounds -- as well as a distant factory or two. While rates aren't
cheap for bed-and-breakfast accommodation, the property certainly makes for a
more memorable stay than most.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Quirky and cozy bed-and-breakfast set in renovated lighthouse
When it comes to
quirky and unique accommodation, travelers would be hard-pressed to find anything quite
like the West Usk Lighthouse. Built in 1821 by Scottish architect James Walker
(who went on to build another 21 lighthouses), even the lighthouse itself --
more squat that soaring -- doesn't follow the traditional form. A working
lighthouse until 1922 and now a protected heritage building, it was bought semi-derelict
in 1987 by the present owner Frank and last renovated in 2013 -- though
exposure to the elements makes this an ongoing effort. The owner made the
lighthouse his home, and the inn is full of touches reflecting his playful tastes, including a Doctor Who Tardis and resident live-size Dalek, as
well as plenty of maritime-themed curios. Guests report that Frank is a wonderful host (and he personally makes the excellent cooked English breakfast). Every room in the building is
wedge-shaped with a spiral staircase rising through the center that leads to
the lantern room -- restored in 1997 and offering superb 360-degree views of
the serene countryside, estuary, and sea. Even the heavy industrial
buildings a little farther up the river and on the opposite banks fail to spoil
the vista. The vibe is cozy, secluded, and romantic, making this property popular with vacationing
tourists with a taste for the unusual, as well as romancing couples and even the
occasional wedding.
Location
Secluded and serene setting on Welsh south coast close to Newport
The hotel is
located on the south coast of Wales, overlooking the Severn Estuary, and bordered
by the River Usk to one side and fields and open pasture to the other. Situated
half a mile down a rough dirt track, the location certainly feels remote and
secluded -- the small sign marking the turn-off from the main road is also easy
missed. The nearest city is Newport, about five miles or a 20-minute drive
north of the property, while central Cardiff is about half an hour by car.
Rooms
Individually styled rooms with signature touches and some sea views
The lighthouse
has just four individually styled guest rooms, from the charmingly ramshackle
but small Cabin Room -- with carved wood mantelpiece -- to
the fresh and bright Waterbed Room with maritime-stripe chairs. All rooms have nautical touches, and amenities include tea/coffee facilities,
hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players; free W-Fi is also
available, though it's slow. While most of the bathrooms are bright and spacious, with stall showers and toiletries, the Four Poster room's
en-suite bathroom is a little pokey. Most of the rooms also offer at least partial
views over the water -- the best views are from the Cabin Room.
Features
Full English breakfast, massage treatments, and sea-view hot tub
The owner cooks
up an excellent Full English breakfast each morning for guests, with vegan and veggie options and cereal, toast, tea, coffee, and orange juice also provided --
all included in the room rate. A range of treatments and therapies are also
available, including Thai and Swedish massage, hypnotherapy, and New Age
healing. An outdoor sea-view hot tub makes a great place to soak
after a day exploring the area. The property is also licensed for civil
ceremonies, which can be performed in the dining room or slate-bedded entrance
hall.
