This time last week I was flinging random things in a bag for an overnighter in west Wales with my buddy Katy from Modern Mummy. I lived in Wales when I was a baby until I was five but aside from one fleeting visit to Cardiff for an audition when I was about 20 I haven’t been back; I was very excited to finally be making a trip.

Saying that, Wales, west Wales in particular, is a long way from home in Norfolk and I did wonder if the stretch in a car would be worth it for just 24 hours. Still, you don’t know until you try and as it happens, the time travelling disappeared in a flash as is such the way when two friends start to giggle. When we arrived, hours of chatting later, to the very rural setting provided by Nolton, we were taken in by a feast for the eyes in the Welsh scenery.

It was like a chocolate box. I know people always say that but this seriously was. Straight out of a novel, a painting, a film… And that’s what we said ALL weekend. It’s like we’re living in a romantic comedy where Gerard Butler will swoop in at any moment and save us from, I don’t know, a sheep attack (there’s loads but none looked mean truth be told) or our car getting stuck in the mud (it didn’t).

Once we’d parked at our digs, Glebe House B&B, which is owned by the family who run the local stables, and shown to our absolutely STUNNING and somewhat romantic room (awkward moment when I made a joke and the landlady almost certainly took it that we were a different type of ‘friends’ rather than the way I had intended it), we set off for an explore of the amazing Glebe House with its many quirks and gorgeous antique furniture..

I have a thing about freestanding baths and the one in our ENORMOUS en-suite was situated right in front of a window looking out onto the rolling Welsh countryside. The beds (yes there were two) were so soft and comfortable I barely managed to pull myself up from mine and the décor… You couldn’t have asked for it to be more perfect. I loved everything about our room and then on top of that, the living room for guests is just as welcoming and cosy with a fire, comfy sofas and interesting coffee table books. In the hallway (which is basically another room with many interesting qualities) there are gorgeous antique chairs and spaces to investigate while finally the dining room, with its welcoming drinks, offers yet another stunning view. It felt like being in the home of a good friend rather than a B&B I’d never set foot in before and I wonder can you ask anything more of a B&B? Not for my mony!

Delightful as Glebe House and its welcoming comfy beds were, we had just stepped out of the car after around 10 hours and had only one precious day in Wales. It was, without doubt, time to get out and explore.

Twitter had told us the Druidstone Hotel is the place to be of an evening and the land lady of Glebe House agreed. ‘I’d send everyone there without hesitation’ she said and as it was just a half an hour walk away we set off to make the table she booked for us later that evening.

Country lanes running alongside the coastline at the top of the cliffs meant we had views that went on and on, over tumbling shores and fields of sheep. We saw houses (not many) that made us both giggle and then delight in their beauty. One had been on Grand Designs and the locals call it the ‘Teletubby House’ while another, a beautiful wooden hideaway, Katy and I fell head over heels with. As we walked, we talked ‘What about this house for a romantic tale?’ we said and we’d created a whole chick-lit novel around it by the time we’d arrived at the ‘Dru’!

Stunning views on the way to the pub!

The Druidstone is a very intriguing establishment with surprises at every turn. The main restaurant was ready for an evening of fine dining and, rather sweetly, a table with a balloon lovingly set for a bijou wedding. Our table wasn’t to be ready just yet so we made our way down the stairs following the reggae music coming from the basement and found ourselves in an intimate little cave of delight. A small bar, locals getting ready to play ceilidh music, a plethora of ales and spirits and then, when we flung the patio doors open, the sea just as far as the eye could see. And that’s where we sat huddled up in gloves and coats drinking in our welcoming liquid and indeed the vista. A local fisherman (seriously, you couldn’t make this up) pointed out dolphins in the distance and fed our greedy questions about the little wooden house we’d seen and fallen for.

And then we realised our tummies were in desperate need of being filled so we returned to the restaurant for food which would have stood its ground in any 5 star London establishment. It was on the pricey side I suppose at around £50 per head including wine but I have to say it was worth it. We could have stayed in the bar and eaten pub style food at a more affordable price but our Glebe House landlady had booked us into the more romantic dining room – urm… Anyway, it gave us a giggle! And there really was romance in the room with the little wedding party consisting of just 5 people. There was more to that story and we added it into our little pretend novel but it’s one of those tales you had to be there for really!

Full and satisfied but not ready for our beds, we followed the sound of the Ceilidh music back to our little bar and again soaked it all up. This place. Seriously! THIS PLACE!

When we did get to bed we slept like logs and woke up to that magnificent bath and a wonderful breakfast cooked by our land lady before we set off for a 4 mile walk along the coast. I loved every minute and again, the novel we were not exactly writing but rather talking, came up and we continued it. I think we’d better put it on paper actually, it’s really rather good even if I do say so myself. When we spotted the bride and groom with one of their guests from the night before, also taking a morning beach stroll, it sealed the romance of it.

A beach walk to blow the cobwebs, plenty more giggles and loads and loads of falling in love with Wales later and it was time to find the stables attached to our B&B. We had a beach horse ride to enjoy before we hit the road and made our way home and we were nervous but very excited.

Nolton Stables, a family run business for 3 and a half generations (the fourth are definitely part of the business even though they’re quite tiny) offer lots of different riding activities as well as segway and zorbing experiences. They own most of the land surronding the area to the beach and with around 150 horses can accommodate all ages from 4+. We had chosen a beach ride from their different offerings and once we’d saddled up (a little bit terrified of my horse Thunder to begin with I have to admit) we made our way to the shore.

I soon got over my fear realising that Thunder was probably a little wrongly named, he was such a softie and I felt so comfortable on him. The leaders made me relax with their easy instruction and as I chatted to Kitty, who’s ridden at the stables since she was 4 and is just about to leave for uni in East Anglia would you believe, I enjoyed every minute of the walk to the beach. And… I absolutely adored every single second of the trotting in and out of the water. It was AMAZING! All I could hear was the Black Beauty music in my head and the novel continued to build.

Riding on the beach was awesome!

When it was time to finish the ride, unfortunately it was also time to go home and our mini break in west Wales was over all too soon. We both felt very sad to be going home but also that we’d had the most brilliant time and with a new found love of the Welsh coast for me and an even more cemented one for Katy, we left already plotting plans to be back in the summer with the littles.

I had no idea it was so beautiful in that part of the world and was stunned at the things we found there. Un-touched in so many ways which is part of the beauty but with many surprises like the Druidstone Hotel. I loved it and can’t wait to go back!

For more information on all the wonders that Wales has to offer why not explore on line first and really whet your appetite. Visit Wales will let you know where to stay, what to do and give you all the information you need to #FindYourEpic in Wales!

For now, look at our crazy little jaunt in this video, it was a hell of a weekend just as the song lyrics chant at the end!