Iwan Gabe Davies stayed at the multi-award winning Y Talbot, a Grade II listed hotel in deepest Ceredigion that has met with presidential approval.

The charming and historic Y Talbot has stood in the centre of Tregaron since the 17th century, providing a welcome oasis for both the weary traveller and tourist for more than 300 years.

One of its most famous guests over the centuries was the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, the Democrat who occupied the White House between 1977 and 1981.

The former peanut farmer, who is now 93, visited Y Talbot after leaving Pennsylvania Avenue for good and enjoyed the area’s beautiful scenery and excellent fishing in 1986.

In fact, the leader of the free world who preceded Ronald Reagan, loved the place so much, he came back to stay again two years later.

There’s a fantastic picture of Carter during one of his sojourns here that sits proudly in the dining area to go along with newspaper articles about his links with Ceredigion.

These days, Y Talbot remains very highly regarded, having attracted a 2016 four star AA Gold Award for an Inn and achieved two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence last year, as well as an entry into the prestigious Alastair Sawday’s guide.

It is a cracking hotel, a member of the Great Inns of Britain, which offers excellent food and drink, a comfortable bed in attractive rooms and a warm welcome.

There are two charming bar areas in the pub with ancient beams, slate flagged floors and inglenook fireplaces where you can enjoy a selection of lovely Welsh beers and ciders.

The food here is seriously good with head chef Dafydd Watkin having an impressive pedigree.

He trained with celebrity chef and enfant terrible of British cuisine Marco Pierre White and was premier sous chef at The Ritz in London no less before coming to Y Talbot in 2010.

He has designed an excellent menu with the pan fried scallops, caramelised celeriac puree, pea and smoked bacon dressing to start highly recommended, as is the chargrilled 8oz Welsh sirloin steak, vine tomatoes, field mushroom and homemade chips as a main.

There is plenty to keep you occupied in the surrounding area too.

The adventurous among you will love the 20-mile drive that will take you over the wild Cambrian Mountains and you can enjoy them en route if you do travel here from the east.

But beware, that road, or track more like it, is not for the faint-hearted in parts, but its rugged charm is undeniable.

A short trip to the west and there’s the beautiful Cardigan coastline with the university town of Aberystwyth and seaside resort of Aberaeron to explore.

To book a stay at the hotel, or for information, please contact Y Talbot, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JL, 01974 298208, email: info@ytalbot.com, or visit their website at ytalbot.com/

For more information on the Great Inns of Britain, go to greatinns.co.uk/