Welshpool

The most important thing on reaching a new town is to find somewhere to eat, especially if you're a hungry lion like me.

Jewelion recommends the Pinewood Restaurant for breakfast. This establishment has a homely, unpretentious atmosphere created over the years by the many generations of Welshpool people who have enjoyed the good food and the chance to catch up on all the local gossip over a cup of Welsh coffee.

The smell of real home cooking beckons you into the Pinewood Restaurant which is situated on Broad Street, just below the Town Hall.

This coffee is delicious. You can only get it in Wales! It's especially nice with Demerara sugar.

This is a breakfast fit for a king (of the jungle): piping hot succulent sausages, crispy flavoursome bacon, eggs, juicy tomatoes, beans and... hot buttered toast! After a meal like this you won't need to eat for a week.

On leaving the restaurant through the shop it's hard not to be tempted to take away for later all of the home cooked cakes and pastries. The fresh cream meringues are out of this world!

Suitably fortified, here is St Mary's Church. Founded by the Welsh Saint Cynfelyn and later rededicated to St Mary of the salutations. Parts of the building date from the 13th Century but many alterations were made in the following centuries and the church was partly rebuilt in the 19th century.

The last assize service, attended by red robed judges and the High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire was held here on 21/10/71 ending a 150 year old tradition.

Mr John Roberts who lives close by can be seen crossing the street.

Grace Evans' Cottage nestles in the shadow of St Mary's Church. She died on the 18th of August 1738 and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard. She was maid-in-waiting to the wife of Lord Nithsdale. As a supporter of James II, Lord Nithsdale was arrested in 1716 and was accused of treason. However, his wife and Grace disguised him as a woman and smuggled him out of The Tower of London, and fled to France. In 1735 Grace returned to this black and white cottage, said to have been a gift form the grateful Lord. It is now a private residence.

Music: Sospan Bach

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