Hidden amongst the winter bare wooded hills of the Vale of Clwyd, the Woodlands Hall is situated within the Lyons Woodlands Hall Holiday Park grounds, via a leaf-sodden road towards Cyffylliog. It’s set in a tranquil place far from the madding crowd, secluded amongst a number of stag statues, landscaped grounds and holiday homes.
The hall was built in 1870 as a private residence for a local opera singer. She must have been some singer as the hall is full of beautiful wood carvings, which the owners had brought in from ship merchants.
We walked through an imposing wooden door into a place packed full of period features with grand fireplaces. We were here for what is regarded as one of the cheapest Sunday Lunches around at a bargain-busting £12.95. We had also been informed that the portion sizes were not for the faint-hearted.
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You basically order your drinks at the bar and then get whisked into to the onsite conservatory restaurant, which despite being quiet was bright and welcoming. Our table had a perfect view of the cold wet drizzle outside but we were warm as toast sat next to a bouncing radiator.
The last of the autumnal orange leaves were to be seen stuck to the glass roof of the conservatory, which had shiny chandeliers adding an air of sophistication and luxury. The Sunday Lunch menu was split into starter, mains and desserts.
The starters offered soup, spring rolls. garlic mushrooms or chicken wings whilst the desserts offered fruit crumble, sticky toffee, brownies, waffles or an Oreo ice cream sundae. The all-important mains offered beef, pork, turkey, nut roast or fish. The courses were priced at £12.95 for one, £16.95 for 2 or £19.95 for 3.
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Although, how you could eat more than one course with portions this size begs a question. After a little deliberation I opt for the Welsh topside of beef, served with roasted carrot, parsnip, seasonal vegetables, cauliflower cheese, stuffing.
My wife went for roast pork served with the same trimmings. The seasonal veg included sprouts, broccoli and cabbage and the meat is suppled from Denbigh butchers ‘Clwyd Dowell’. Firstly, the presentation was good.
The meat and trimmings were placed on a rectangular plate under a huge Yorkshire Pudding, which was as big as a dustbin lid. There certainly was a lot of beef hidden underneath the giant Yorkie with a square slab of stuffing, which had a hint of cranberry tang.
There was a dollop of creamy swede on the side, which wasn’t even on the list of ingredients. The slabs of beef were tender and succulent and the roast potatoes were golden and crunchy.
The vegetables were served al dente so were not soggy at all until we sloshed gallons of gravy over the top. The cauliflower cheese was smothered in a smooth and creamy cheese sauce with a satisfying dark yellow-tinged crunchy topping.
We were asked if everything was to our satisfaction by the young waiting on team and everything certainly apart from struggling to polish off the giant portions. We of course decline pudding and waddle off with full bellies to pay our bill at the bar.
There were a few people drinking wine or taking advantage of a swift half on a wet and grey Sunday afternoon. We noticed a few other offers at the bar including a pint and a burger for under £10 but food was the last thing on our minds at this stage.
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We decide to walk off the slumber and lethargy in glorious countryside and take one more look at the grand hall and grounds. All this grandeur from a bit of opera singing? I quip. Perhaps, I should book myself in for some singing lessons? My wife doesn’t even reply.
The facts - Woodlands Hall Sunday Lunch
The Facts
Sunday Lunch £12.95 x 2
Total £25.90
Opening Times
Monday to Friday from 17:00 until 21:00
Saturday from 12:00 until 15:00 and 17:00 until 21:00
Sunday from 12:00 until 17:00
Atmosphere -An air of sophistication and luxury.
Car Parking - Ample car parking spaces
Disabled Access - Disabled car parking space and disabled access once you get through the huge imposing wooden door.
Service - Warm and welcoming
Overall - Cheap Sunday Lunch with portions not for the faint-hearted.
Woodlands Hall, Llanfwrog, Ruthin, LL15 2AN 01824 702066