Traditional Sunday lunch with all the trimmings in a stunning Grade ll listed Elizabethan manor, a perfect combination - as my stepdaughter Karen and I found when we discovered the many delights of Faenol Fawr. Hidden away in the St Asaph countryside less than a mile from Bodelwyddan Castle and Glan Clwyd Hospital, this impressive grey stone building set in two acres of secluded gardens dates back to l597 and in the 17th century played host to Oliver Cromwell.

The manor house has a long and chequered history and is a treasure trove of original features, including magnificent oak staircases, Tudor fireplaces, wood-panelled walls and even a friendly ghost or two. After being badly damaged by fire some years ago, it has been beautifully restored and enjoys a new life as a country house boutique bed and breakfast hotel with self-catering cottages that also offers a Sunday lunch.

For the last 31 years, Faenol Fawr (it means big manor in Welsh) has been owned and run by the Goddard family. Brothers Jonathan and Steven took over the reins 25 years ago, transforming the large rustic barn adjoining the house into an event venue.

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At £24.50 per person for three substantial courses, this is real value for money, attracting customers from a wide area. The place is steeped in history but would the food live up to our expectations? Two hungry ladies were about to find out.

Situated at the end of a long driveway just after the last entrance to Glan Clwyd Hospital, Faenol Fawr has its own car park. With both an 80th birthday party and a celebration christening lunch taking place in the manor house, the venue was busy.

To our disappointment Karen and I were not lunching in the splendid oak-panelled Tudor room but in the cosy bar area, which can seat about 30 people and doubles as an informal dining room. A charming server quickly seated us at a window table where we had an excellent view of the front gardens.

The resident pride of peacocks had gone walkabout, but there was plenty to see as party guests and lunch customers began arriving - good thing we got there early. With its weathered flagstone floor, cream-painted walls adorned with historical prints and maps and a profusion of dark wood beams, the picturesque bar was perfectly in keeping with its Tudor heritage.

There was a good selection of beers, including some local varieties, lagers, spirits, liqueurs, prosecco, champagne and soft drinks. The wine list, however, was somewhat on the sparse side - just four choices of white and red and one rose available by the bottle or glass. Bottles weren’t cheap, coming in at £26-30.

Faenol Fawr is renowned for the quality and quantity of its Sunday lunch, served from 12 noon to 5pm. Local produce is used wherever possible and everything is freshly cooked to order by the kitchen team.

We were impressed with the weekly changing menu, which offered four choices in each of its three courses, plus a vegetarian option in the mains - something there for everyone with dietary needs catered for.

I like soup at any time of the year, so for my starter, I chose an old favourite – carrot and coriander soup served with a warm brown roll. Piping hot, thick and slightly sweet, it was almost a meal in itself.

Karen’s selection of cod goujons with fresh side salad was equally substantial, but although the fish was excellent, the batter was a little too heavy for her taste.

For the main course, you could pick from roast beef, lamb and pork with all the trimmings as well as very popular ham, egg and chips and a veggie choice of classic nut roast with vegetarian gravy.

I went for Welsh sirloin accompanied by Yorkshire pudding and a rich red wine gravy. My plate was groaning under three ample slices of tender beef. Perfectly cooked roasties- crispy outside and fluffy inside, made the dish a real winner.

This was accompanied by a dish of veg to share - a good selection of broccoli, carrots, mange tout plus creamy dauphinoise potatoes. My stepdaughter was equally delighted with a plentiful helping of Welsh leg of lamb served with a rosemary and redcurrant jus.

“It ticks all the right boxes. I won’t be eating for the rest of the day,” she cooed. Despite being pretty full, in the interests of the taste test we had to finish with dessert and the temptations on offer were classic lemon tart, chocolate brownie, Eton mess and ginger sponge pudding.

I chose another old favourite, lemon curd tart served with raspberries, strawberries and raspberry coulis. Beautifully presented and slightly tarty, it melted in the mouth. Karen’s ginger sponge pudding with custard was equally delicious. We were both very happy.

Faenol Fawr is an architectural masterpiece and Sunday lunch there is excellent, one of North Wales’ best-kept secrets – a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. We can’t wait to go back.