Cradled by the rolling hills of the Wye Valley, where England meets Wales, rises The Royal George. Once an ironmonger’s cottage built in 1598, this Grade II listed inn carries the spirit of its namesake warship—lost to the sea at Spithead in 1782, with local lore whispering that timber from the vessel lies within its walls. Today, following a meticulous two‑year restoration by The Greyheath Collection in collaboration with interior designer Camilla Kelly, founder of The Mint List, it has been reborn as Tintern’s most inviting retreat: a place of snug suites, warm Welsh hospitality, and countryside cooking—where maritime relics gleam beside crackling fires, and the haunting arches of Tintern Abbey linger just beyond the garden gate.
Location
Just a short drive from Chepstow, The Royal George nestles amid the green hills of the Wye Valley, in the medieval village of Tintern. Here, you can wander the ruins of Tintern Abbey, its soaring Gothic arches long inspiring poets like William Wordsworth and painters including J.M.W. Turner. Meanwhile, along the River Wye, the market town of Monmouth awaits—famed for its medieval gatehouse, Georgian architecture, and lively high street. Gin lovers? Head to Silver Circle Distillery in Monmouthshire for tours, tastings, and hands-on workshops that let you distill your own spirit or forage across the Severn Estuary before crafting a bespoke bottle.
Style and Character
The Royal George’s interiors balance tradition with contemporary ease. Original Welsh flagstones, timber beams, and reclaimed slate root the inn in its past, while every detail of Camilla Kelly’s design celebrates craftsmanship: Melin Tregwynt textiles, bespoke timber furniture, oil paintings in the manner of Kyffin Williams, and antique treasures—from a brass ship’s window to the original bell of HMS Royal George. Nautical character runs throughout: portraits of sailors, a brass engine‑room telegraph, maritime sketches, anchors, and polished masthead lanterns. The result? A retreat both timeless and fresh, rustic yet elegant, with seafaring history woven seamlessly into its soul.
Rooms and Suites
The inn is home to 20 charming rooms, divided between two collections. Within the main house, six Heritage Rooms and suites honour historical figures and nautical pioneers—think William Gilpin, suffragette Lady Rhondda, grand mariner Cranogwen, and the inventor Deane brothers—each dressed with exposed beams, snuggly throws, and nautical touches from naval trunks to antique captain chairs. Outside, garden cabins (some dog‑friendly) provide a rustic counterpoint, with organic textures, earthy tones, and sweeping balconies or private patios overlooking the grounds.
Our pick? Check into the Beaufort Suite—named for Royal Navy hydrographer Francis Beaufort—with a calming country‑chic aesthetic. A cozy sitting room invites Netflix nights on a deep sink‑in sofa, while the 1950s‑style ensuite gleams with a brass rainfall shower. Next door, the bedroom is vast, anchored by a super‑king bed crowned with a giant coral headboard, and finished with thoughtful touches like a leather writing desk and Nespresso machine. Glance up, and you’ll catch “Jibe Ho!” painted across the low ceilings—a sailor’s cry reminding guests to duck beneath the inn’s original beams.
Food and Beverage
The Royal George’s farm‑to‑fork philosophy stays true to its countryside roots: “Simple food, done well.” At the Upper Deck, from his theatre kitchen, Executive Chef Gareth Hope crafts dishes with the finest local ingredients—dry‑aged Herefordshire beef, Monmouthshire pork, artisan cheeses from the Welsh countryside, vegetables from Wye Valley farmers, and honey from the inn’s own beehives. An oil portrait of Henry Rokeby, once a sailor aboard the Royal George, watches over two wine cellars, including the ‘Captain’s Locker’, with a 90‑reference wine list. Settle in for chargrilled scallops with samphire, pulled beef cheeks on toasted crumpet, or Monmouthshire fillet with sticky bone marrow jus. Finale? A Knickerbocker Glory for two or marmalade croissant pudding. Sundays honour tradition with roasts carved to order—Herefordshire striploin, free‑range chicken, or pork loin—served with Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, honey‑roasted roots, and a generous jug of gravy.
Downstairs, the snug Lower Deck pub offers wartime‑feel charm with log fires, retro lamps, and a sweeping zinc bar. With a pint of Royal George IPA in hand, sink into leather booths and enjoy the house burger crowned with Welsh Rarebit and Penderyn bacon jam, charcuterie boards, Scotch eggs, or a gooey double‑chocolate brownie. In the oldest part of the inn, however, its cafe—a go-to for locals and hikers alike—serves the best local focaccia, smoked salmon bagels, Welsh cakes, and gooey chocolate-chip cookies. Outside, settle into a deck chair beside the impressive Tintern Abbey-esque style pagoda with its crackling firepit and graze on fireside pizzas, truffle pecorino fries, and crispy chicken wings—all beneath the wide Wye Valley sky.
How To Do It
To book your stay, head to theroyalgeorge.com.