Ynyshir Hall
Royal Pedigree

This quiet, circa 15th-century hideaway in Wales is so blissfully removed from the cares of the world that it once served as the secret vacation escape of Queen Victoria. Framed by endless formal gardens (dating to the 1800s), a 1,000-acre bird sanctuary, and a pretty estuary, the white-washed manor house now hosts guests in just nine rooms. Each is named for an artist—the owner is a celebrated painter—and is individually appointed, so you'll feel like a personal guest in a Downton Abbey-style manor. Activities center on the region's natural offerings, like hiking the Cambrian mountains, bird watching, and indulging in spa treatments that feature local products.

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