Palé Hall near Bala raises a glass to racing with its new Jockey Bar

Palé Hall, the five-star country house hotel at Llandderfel near Bala, has a new place to raise a glass. The Jockey Bar, decorated with racing memorabilia and trophies that reflect owners Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney's long ties to the sport, is now open to hotel guests and the public.

The bar was launched with around 20 private guests, including champion jockey Nico de Boinville, trainer Nicky Henderson and ITV Racing presenter Matt Chapman, with a whisky cocktail reception and canapés created by chef Luke Selby. There was extra cause to celebrate, as Anthony's horse Jinko Blue had won at Sandown the day before.

In a gesture made in the spirit of the occasion, the owners gave personal donations of £15,000 to Retraining of Racehorses and £15,000 to Racing Welfare.

Palé Hall is one of Wales' most celebrated hotels. In 2024 it became one of the first hotels in the UK to receive a Michelin Key, and it has held a Green Michelin Star since 2021 for its sustainable practices, which include its own carbon-neutral source of electricity. It is a member of Relais and Châteaux and Pride of Britain Hotels, and is dog-friendly. Since taking over in 2024, the owners have invested £200,000 in a gallery of Welsh art.

The house has 18 individually styled bedrooms plus garden suites that opened in 2021, some with hot tubs, and past guests include Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill, who both have suites named after them. Guests dine overlooking the 50-acre estate and rolling hills.

Today the hotel's offer includes the Henry Robertson restaurant, afternoon tea, Hearth, a whisky lounge and wine cellar, plus rooms at The Bryntirion Inn. Outdoors there is a sculpture trail, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting and other country pursuits, and the hotel also offers health and wellness experiences.

The hotel is a good base for exploring, with walking routes all around, Portmeirion and Betws-y-Coed within reach, and Yr Wyddfa, heritage steam railways and the slate landscape World Heritage Site nearby.

Stays and tables can be booked at palehall.co.uk.