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Beech Hill Country House Hotel

Beech Hill is just a couple of miles south of Londonderry, beautifully set in 42 acres of peaceful woodland, waterfalls and gardens. Built in 1729, the house has retained many of its original details and proprietor Patsy O'Kane makes an hospitable and caring hostess.

Comfortable bedrooms vary in size and outlook - many overlook the gardens, but all are thoughtfully and attractively furnished with Mrs O'Kane's ever-growing collection of antiques. Public rooms include a good-sized bar, a fine restaurant (in what was originally the snooker room, now extended into a conservatory overlooking the gardens) and, unusually, a private chapel, now used for meetings, private parties or small weddings. All the main public areas have recently been refurbished, but changes are always undertaken sensitively, in keeping with the building.

American visitors, especially, will be interested to know that US Marines had their headquarters here in World War II and an informative small museum of the US Marine Friendship Association is housed within the hotel.

Facilities include picnic areas in the grounds for fine weather and a fitness suite with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and weight room.

Conference/banqueting (100); business centre, broadband wi/fi, secretarial services. Beauty salon, massage & treatments, walking, tennis, garden. Golf, fishing & equestrian nearby. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room cot available without charge, babysitting arranged). Pets allowed by arrangement.

Rooms 27 (2 suites, 3 junior suites, 10 executive rooms, 10 shower only, 1 for disabled, all no smoking). Lift. B&B £67.50pps, ss £22.50; SC discretionary. Closed 24/25 Dec.

The Ardmore Restaurant:

The restaurant is a particularly attractive feature of this charming hotel; it is elegantly appointed and well-positioned overlooking gardens (which is a particularly pleasant outlook at breakfast time).

Head chef Raymond Moran is a member of Euro-Toques, the European community of chefs who work together to defend the integrity and diversity of their ingredients, and he and sous chef Paul Curry have also partnered with the North West Organic Association for supply of their seasonal organic vegetables.

The first page of the menu is a hymn to quality ingredients the freshest local seafood, dry-aged local meats, free-range pork and chickens from County Down, award-winning cheeses from the acclaimed Five Mile Creamery in Co Tyrone, The Causeway Coast Cheese Company and the Tiernan family's Glebe Brethan, which has been making waves at all the artisan food shows recently.

Similarly, the ingredients of the dishes themselves are described in detail, all of which is interesting and confidence-inspiring. The cooking style is modern classic, with a strong Irish twist and the pride taken in each dish is palpable, adding greatly to the enjoyment for the guest. A vegetarian menu is offered, and also an early dinner menu, which is very good value.

An informative, well chosen wine list includes tasting notes and makes interesting reading.

Seats 100. Reservations accepted; children welcome; toilets wheelchair accessible. L daily, 12-2; D daily 6.30-9. Set L £19.95, Set Sun L £19.95. Set 2/3 course D, £24.95/29.95. A la carte and vegetarian menu also available. House wines (6), about £12.95. SC discretionary. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Switch.

Directions:

Main Londonderry road A6.