Eryri’s Exceptional Local Produce
There’s no better way to get a feel for a place than to enjoy the local produce. And you can rest assured that there’s plenty to find and feast on in Eryri and Pen Llŷn. So if you’re visiting for the day, or here for a week in a tent, caravan or cottage, here are some ideas of where to go to fill your fridge, your basket and your belly!
Packing the Picnic Basket
If the sun’s out it’s hard to beat a good picnic when on holiday, and there are plenty of places in the area that offer lovely bits for lunch. If you’re near Caernarfon why not visit Fron Goch Garden Centre? One of North Wales’ largest garden centres - along with a cafe, plants and homeware - there’s a shop here selling a range of fresh and frozen local produce including meat, bread, fruit, vegetables and cakes.
Then on to Pwllheli where the local Spar shop in the centre of the town is well-known for its extensive range of high-quality local produce. Here you can get your hands on potatoes and eggs from local farms, meat from the butcher’s counter and sweet and savoury bites from the deli, as well as all your essentials. Everything you need under one roof.
Over in Harlech, the smell of fresh bread and pastries are enough to entice anyone over to Y Groser. Pop in to grab a loaf, croissants, coffee or beer - all locally-sourced and of superior quality. Y Groser even offers a delivery service on orders over £25, and can also prepare a full picnic for you. Why not go for it and make your holiday as tasty and relaxing as possible?
You might well be planning to walk part of the Wales Coast Path during your visit. If you’re doing so near Nefyn, Pwllheli or Aberdaron, don’t forget to visit Becws Islyn. This popular bakery offers hot and cold drinks and plenty of sweet and savoury snacks. Or if you fancy an ice cream as one last treat, make sure you go for one that’s made locally. From Glaslyn in Beddgelert, to Glasu in Pwllheli or Cadwaladers in Cricieth, Porthmadog and Betws-y-Coed; you’re spoilt for choice.
Meat and Fish
One thing that makes a holiday truly feel like a holiday to many of us, is a barbeque. If you enjoy lighting the charcoal and tasting the smoke then make sure that only the best produce make it onto your grill.
Mark Watkins is the experienced butchen running the show at Cigydd Bala Butcher. The family butchers that opened in 2008 are open six days a week, and all their produce is sourced from local farmers and the local livestock market. Now that’s local! Having won the Gold at The Great British Butcher’s Award in 2019, you can look forward to meat and fish of the highest quality here, and you can buy locally-made yogurt, milk, cheese and eggs at the counter.
If you’re staying in Pen Llŷn, why not pay Poveys a visit in the village of Chwilog? The same family have been running Poveys since 1948, and they’ve certainly managed to sustain the quality over the years. With cold cuts for your sandwiches, large pieces of meat for a roast and a whole range of prepared products including burgers, kebabs, meatballs and marinated chicken, you’ll definitely not be leaving empty-handed.
If you’re in the mood for seafood, you must go to Blas y Môr in Porthmadog. The fishmonger boasts an extensive range of some of the finest, locally sourced fresh fish including muscles, mackerel, lemon sole and dressed crab. The team is also more than happy to advise on possible meals and flavour combinations, so you can walk into the shop and get everything you need for a delicious fish meal.
Quench Your Thirst
Now that the food is sorted, let’s move on to the drink. If you’re craving a cold cider on a hot day then Stori in Bala is the perfect place to go, as they’ve just been named the Cider Pub of the Year Gold Medallist by CAMRA.The shop takes its place on the High Street in Bala, and also sells local beer, wine and spirits, as well non-alcoholic drinks. Why not enjoy a tipple while you decide what to buy? If you’re into live music it’s also worth keeping an eye on their music nights.
Gin has become increasingly popular in recent years, and one company that’s quickly making a name for itself is Dyfi Distillery, who have a shop over at the Corris Craft Centre. The Distillery has already won a host of awards for its produce, including a Gold at the Great British Food Awards, the World Gin Awards and The Spirit Business. Need we say more? Head over there and see for yourselves.
You could easily believe that there’s something rather special in the water in Dyffryn Nantlle when tasting drinks from Bragdy Lleu and Pant Du. Beer is the offering over at Bragdy Lleu, all made from natural ingredients of the highest quality. The beer, which is named after characters from the world-famous Welsh folklore legends, has already bagged a few Great Taste awards. Then the team over at Pant Du Vineyard and Orchard make wine, cider, fruit juice and honey. Why not head over there for lunch at their on-site cafe, before calling at the shop to buy some of their award-winning produce?
There are also many places to quench your thirst on Pen Llŷn. For fresh milk and tasty milkshakes, make sure you stop at one of Y Sied Laeth’s self-serve cabins at Nefyn, Pwllheli and Llanbedrog. You can spend hours studying the shelves laden with local wine, beer and spirits at Gwin Llŷn in Pwllheli. And Cwrw Llŷn is the place for all beer-lovers, from golden ale to IPA and the crisp Largo pilsner, you won’t be disappointed. The beer is always cold and the welcome is always warm.
Gifts
As the end of your holiday nears, nothing beats an afternoon of browsing to select a few gifts; for friends and family back home or perhaps a souvenir for yourself! There are so many unique shops across Eryri and Pen Llŷn, where you’re certain to find something special.
At Adra, which is based at the Glynllifon Country Park, all products are either made in Wales, designed by Welsh designers or feature the Welsh language. From homeware to garden, jewellery and cards, there is something here for everyone. Down the road in Caernarfon Cei Llechi is home to numerous local artists and makers. Artists Lisa Eurgain and Beth Horrocks are based here, along with jeweller Crefft Arian to name but a few. Make sure you call in at Cei Llechi to see the wealth of creative talent the area has to offer.
If it’s a one-stop-shop that you’re after, the Corris Craft Centre is certainly a destination. What’s special about this place is that you can actually see the makers at work at the nine craft workshops on site. From pottery to jewellery, it’s easy to while away the afternoon here, admiring the skills and the finished products. While Siop Ria in Bala offers modern gifts with a Welsh feel to them. The shelves here are lined with baby gifts, fragrance ranges, candles, body care and much more.
There is no shortage of shops in Pen Llŷn either. Oriel Pwlldefaid in Pwllheli offers all sorts of personalised gifts, including children’s purses and soft fleece jumpers - the perfect thing to pull on after a splash in the sea! And we must mention Cwt Tatws. Based on the Tywyn family farm near Tudweiliog, the shop is home to a wide selection of stylish accessories, carefully chosen for you, your home and garden. Treat yourself to a cuppa and a slice of cake while you walk along nearby Tywyn beach, before heading back to Cwt Tatws to choose the perfect gift.
