Highgate, Newtown, Powys

Steeped in Gregynog heritage
and where smoking is history

A Grade II Jacobean black and white timber building dating from 1631 is the base for Chris and Sarah Smith’s successful bed and breakfast and self catering business. Three miles from Newtown and set against the rolling hills of mid Wales, the accommodation attracts those looking to get away from it all in a rural idyll, with the smell of clean country air and the opportunity to relax in a smoke free atmosphere.

Once part of the Gregynog estate, Highgate boasts four letting rooms in the main house and six holiday cottages converted from old farm buildings in the grounds. Smoking is banned in all buildings, not least because of the large amount of ancient timbers everywhere, but also because it never occurred to Chris and Smith to allow smoking at their premises

Sarah said, “I can’t bear the smell and staleness of smoke and I think our guests feel the same. We appeal particularly to families and have found that they appreciate a smoke free atmosphere and rooms and furnishings which smell clean and fresh. We also offer riding holidays and having anybody smoking on the yard with all the hay around the place would not be practical either.

“During the summer months we could fill our rooms three times over and people come here to appreciate the quietness of the area and the great outdoors and not being able to smoke inside has not proved a problem. We welcome smokers of course as long as they are willing to sit outside the house if they fancy a cigarette and everybody to date has been willing to do so.”