Beaumaris Anglesey

historic interest
attractions & actvities
food & drink
waterside location

Beaumaris is a charming old Anglesey town on the Menai Straits with a medieval castle, Victorian pier, boat trips, beach, leisure centre, one of the oldest court houses in Wales, Edwardian jail house, a variety of interesting shops, golf courses, yacht club, local artists and a choice of places to eat and drink.

Beaumaris bustles with entertainment including live music, local produce markets, arts festival, fortnightly sailing regattas, Victorian Christmas celebrations and historic events in the castle. www.visitbeaumaris.co.uk
Angelo & Cathy

Anglesey Sea Zoo

aquarium
conservation
food & drink
shop
dog friendly (fresh water & free, secure dog pens)

A great place to visit on Anglesey whatever the weather, whatever your age, with over 150 fascinating species to see. Educational fun with conservation at its heart.

Daily fish feeds,diving displays and talks take place throughout the holidays.

There is an award winning licensed bistro and a gift & souvenier shop.

Angelo & Cathy

http://www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk/

Yerbeston Gate Farm Shop Pembrokeshire

Food & Drink

Award winning Yerbeston Gate Farm Shop based in south Pembrokeshire will deliver to your holiday cottage or your home any where in the UK.


Produce includes Welsh Black Beef, Welsh lamb, Saddleback pork, sausages and home cooked bacon, pies, pastries and quiche baked daily in the farm house, local beers, ciders, cheeses, chocolates, wines, honey, preserves, bread, cakes, ice-cream and much more.

Have a look at their web site, read about the quality, check out the price comparisons with supermarkets, read the testimonials and contact Andy or Debbie who will be pleased to help you.

You could be enjoying roast Welsh Black beef or Welsh lamb this Sunday where ever in the UK you live. A nostalgic reminder of your stay or a flavour of what is waiting for you when you visit Wales

A pictorial tour of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire

The picturesque village of Laugharne on the Taf estuary was once home to famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Take a peek inside his writing shed.Visit the Boat House where he lived, now a museum and book shop dedicated to his work.There is a castle to explore, riverside walks, small shops, a gallery, a pottery and a choice of places to eat and drink.

history
scenery
walks
shopping
food & drink

Castle

Dylan Thomas' Writing Shed

                                                                                                       

The Boat House

Sue B

Cwm Deri Vineyard, Pembrokeshire

A working smallholding in Martletwy since 1992 now one of Wales' foremost visitor attractions

• 
  
  wine tasting
• 
  
  wine making
• 
  
  vineyard walk
  pets corner
  restaurant/cafe
  shop
  

Enjoy wine tasting and delicious home cooked food at Cwm Deri Vineyard. Children will love the Pets Corner where chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and sheep will amuse them. The vineyard shop sells home produced wine, liqueurs, alcohol free wines, preserves, free range eggs, cheese, cakes and ice cream.

Cwm Deri Vineyard is well worth a visit when out exploring the Pembrokeshire National Park.

Llanerchaeron National Trust Ceredigion

Llanerchaeron designed by John Nash is a rare example of a self sufficient 18th C Welsh minor gentry estate virtually unaltered.

• historic interest
• architectural interest
• walking & cycling opportunities
  gardens, parkland & working organic farm
  free parking
  refreshments & shop

The exterior and interior of Llanerchaeron are full of dramatic and beautiful architectural details. The majority being original and those that have been restored have been done so in a painstaking and authentic fashion.

The service courtyard with dairy, laundry (wet & dry), brewery and salting house give a fascinating insight into the style of living and the number of staff needed to run such a home.

Two walled gardens have been restored and the organic working farm offers opportunities to see traditional farming practices such as shearing, lambing and hay making.

Set in extensive grounds in the beautiful Aeron Valley there are opportunities for walking and cycling.

An extensive events programme is scheduled throughout the year. Do take time to visit with so much to see and do you surely won't be disappointed. Llanerchaeron is about 2 miles from Aberaeron off the A482.

The Stackpole Inn Pembrokeshire Special Evenings 2009

Celebrate the best of Pembrokeshire produce from the land and the sea with Stackpole Inn's own tasting menus. Each evening will comprise of a variety of tasting courses for you to enjoy with a selection of wines available to complimernt your meal.

Fish & Seafood Night - Friday 2nd October

Game Night - Friday 6th October
Stackpole Pie Night - Friday 4th December

Please ring 01646 672324 for menus and reservations.
Book now for traditional Christmas Day lunch

Bara Brith - Welsh Speckled Bread - Recipe

Recipe given by the North Wales Tourist Board

1lb (450g) mixed dried fruit
1/2 pint (300ml) tea
2 tblsp marmalade
1 egg beaten
6 tblsp soft brown sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
1lb (450g) SR flour
honey to glaze

• Soak fruit in tea overnight

Next day pre heat oven to 170 C, Gas 3, 325 F
Grease 1lb loaf tin

• Add all remaining ingredients to fruit & tea. Mix well
• Place in greased loaf tin
• Cook for 1 3/4 hours (if browning too much protect top with foil)
• Once removed from oven leave in tin for 5 minutes before turning out to cool
• Glaze top with honey
• Store in an airtight tin

Serve sliced, spread with Welsh salted butter and tasty farmhouse cheddar.

Slow Food Wales

Catherine Gazzoli chief executive officer of Slow Food UK says

"Wales' clean air & fresh pastures & produce make it a nation that is ideal to represent what the Slow Food Movement is all about."

"Slow food is not about cooking slowly it is the antithesis of fast food and I'm really impressed by the produce coming out of Wales."

"It is not elitist, it is all about joining producers with their consumers & communities. And Wales has a green mystique which is very different from the rest of Britain - it is its own country with its own identity."

"We want to protect endangered foods with heritage like bara brith and artisan cheese by placing them on the Slow Food Ark."

She believes Wales has a lot to offer from its many types of cheese, its meat & fish, to its laver bread, honey, wines, cider and whisky.

Do sample local produce when in Wales and please share your finds with us.

The Oiled Bird Rescue Centre, near Carew, Pembrokeshire

• birds
• award winning rescue centre
• you can help

This unique award winning centre the only one of its kind in Wales specialises in giving treatment to birds contaminated by oil. The work mostly concerns a wide variety of seabirds but occasionaly others such as buzzards, swans, owls and estuary birds are helped.

The work and day to day running of this special centre (which is not a recognised charity) is carried out voluntarily and there is rarely a day without patients.
Any donations for the Oiled Bird Centre and the new Swan Unit  should be sent to Jean Hains at Lower House Farm, West Williamston, near Carew, Pembrokeshire SA68 OTL

Anyone wishing to visit the Oiled Bird Rescue Centre please phone Jean first on 01646651236 to make sure someone is available to meet you.

Sue B

Cwm yr Eglwys, Pembrokeshire

• scenery
• beach
• historic interest
• walk
• pub food
• pub garden

In two weeks time residents and friends of the picturesque village of Cwm yr Eglwys will be attending a service to commemorate the day 200 years ago when St Brynach's Church was swept away by the Royal Charter Storm of 1859. All that remains is the defiant belfrey standing on the edge of the pretty little beach looking out to sea.

The cove has a sand and shingle beach with safe bathing and lots of rock pools to explore making it an ideal choice for family fun. There is delightful walk around Dinas Island which passes through Pwllgwaelod with another attractive little beach and waterside pub restaurant with garden.

A walk along Westfield Pill SSSI, Pembrokeshire

• nature
• wildlife
• estuary
• scenery
• walk/cycle
• food & drink
• During August an informative walk along Westfield Pill was enjoyed by a group of local wildlife enthusiasts and experts. Many of the rare and common birds, plants, insects and their habitats was observed and recorded.

Westfield Pill is a sheltered inlet from the main Cleddau Estuary a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a WTSWW Reserve. The path runs along the old railway line making it very pleasant and easy walking. Cars can be left in the car park at Neyland Marina where the walk begins. Brunel Cafe and The Bar on the marina serve excellent food and refreshments.

Bethan Cox (Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership) concluded that Westfield Pill habitats help maintain the richness and diversity of our wildlife at both local and national levels.

Good Old-Fashioned Teatime in St Davids, Pembrokeshire

• St Davids
• tearoom
• museum
• local knowledge

As a child I always loved teatime, evening dinner just isn't the same!

Now I have 'discovered' The Sampler Tearooms and my childhood memories are rekindled with their delicious fares. Fine cucumber sandwiches followed by home-made cakes, or one can dive into a goats cheese quiche. Soups and platters of local cheeses are for me only over-shadowed by traditional cream teas of scones, cream and home-made jams, bara-brith or good old welshcakes. Lots of lovely 'specialist' teas, coffees and home-made lemonade too round off this eating experience.

The premises are fascinating too - embroidered samplers are displayed around the walls, some as old as 1728. These were created for various occasions; births, deaths, schoolroom practice pieces. We have all seen them from time to time but here you can read the verses and appreciate the time and effort in the making of these fine works whilst enjoying a coffee break, lunch-time or traditional tea.

There's also something in the cellar....... the owners have an unusual collection of wartime memorabilia. Referred to as 'The Homefront Experience' it displays World War II artefacts and pictures. Included here in the 'museum' is needlework paraphernalia, various fossils and medieval coins associated with the British History on the River Thames and so much more about Pembrokeshire. Sounds a bit 'stuffy' but it's facinating and certainly somewhere to go on a damp day!

The owners are delightful - pleased to assist and advise, and a mine of local information if one is on holiday and bewildered (I know that feeling).
Sue A

Note for Gold Diggers

• special interest Metal Detecting
• information

Keen metal detectors will be pleased to know no special permissions are required to use metal detectors on beaches.

Mainland Wales has approximately 1317 miles of coastline together with the islands of Anglesey and Holyhead that makes a total of 1680 miles......... and Wales has more listings in the official guide book to UK's best beaches than any other part of Britain.

Why not pack your bags and detectors and come and see what you can find.

Dinas Island Walk from Pwllgwaelod, Pembrokeshire

• coastal walk
• scenery
• pub food
• pub garden

A lovely three and a half mile walk around a craggy promontory with spectacular coastal scenery almost all of the way round. The undulating path is flanked by the sea on one side and sheep filled fields on the other with vibrant purple heather and yellow gorse blooming at this time of year. The little cove of Pwllgwaelod is home to 'The Old Sailors,' an inn thought to have been in business for at least 500 years. Former customers were smugglers and seafaring folk. Now weary walkers and beach enthusiasts call in for refreshments and delicious snacks and meals with seafood featuring predominantly. There are tables in the large garden and small dining room overlooking the cove. Booking is advisable if you want to eat inside.

Pendine Sands & Enormous Barrel Jelly Fish, Carmarthenshire

• historic interest
• beach
• Barrel jellyfish
• walk
• food

The Museum of Speed at Pendine Sands is a small stylish open plan space in which the 1920's sports car 'Babs' is the focal point. The car was used by Parry Thomas on his fatal attempt at the speed record in 1927. The attempt took place on Pendine Sands which stretches 7 miles from Gilman Point in the west to Laugharne Sands in the east and has been referred to as "the finest natural speedway imaginable"

The beach is still used for occasional car races but is mainly frequented by holiday makers and beach enthusiasts.

This weekend the exceptional high tides brought in and stranded quite a number of enormous Barrel Jellyfish varying in size from dinner plate to catering tray. It was fascinating to see them close up and wonder at their globular texture and huge frilled tentacles.

We walked for an hour without reaching the end of the beach. On our return we were joined by a group of people driving ponies and traps. What a pretty site on a warm September morning.

Laugharne just a few miles down the road was our choice for lunch where we enjoyed a delicious meal in the Stable Bar conservatory overlooking the walled garden. Now that the peak holiday season is over it was possible to get a table without booking but only just. This is a popular restaurant with locals too and very soon every table was occupied.

Flying Boat Centre Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire

 

• special interest Flying Boats
• Flying Boat Interpretation Centre

The dive team from The Flying Boat Centre Pembroke Dock have been busy this summer. Their boat has been seen moored above the submerged Mark1 Sunderland on the Cleddau river where preparations are taking place for an eventual recovery.

For nearly 70 years the unique wartime example of a Short Sunderland Flying Boat, one of the most famous types in aviation history, has rested on the seabed off Pembroke Dock. One of its Pegasus Engines has been recovered and many of its component parts are on display at the fascinating Flying Boat Interpretation Centre, Sunderland House, The Royal Dockyard, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire http://www.pdst.co.uk/

Opening times are Tues - Sat 10pm - 4pm Please phone before visiting to avoid disappointment.

SAT NAV & POST CODE USERS BEWARE!

SAT NAV's are not infallible. Drivers should always plan their routes and have a road map handy when traveling to unfamiliar destinations.......even SAT NAV users!

Rural areas are particularly difficult because a number of properties spread over a large area might share the same Post Code.

Mistakes can and do happen. Recently Quality Cottages clients turned up to their holiday home to find another family comfortably settled in. The family had relied on their SAT NAV & the post code. Instead of questioning the location of the keys, they were in a different place from where expected, they trusted their technology was correct and the information from their agents wrong!

SAT NAV's are an aid but users should stay alert and be prepared to take over navigation when necessary.

A few tips for those left in charge of toddlers in the North Pembrokeshire area.

Mr R was given the daunting task of taking care of his three and a half year old grandson for the day. It is some years since his children grew up and left home. Had he lost his touch?

Conscientious as ever he spent a sleepless night trying to formulate a plan of action. Only too soon the day dawned and his bright eyed, pink cheeked companion arrived all smiles and full of anticipation. His trust in Grandad never failing.

First stop Cafe in the Solva Boat Club onTrinity Quay at Solva Harbour. What a salvation. Mr R and Grandson were soon kitted out with the finest crab catching equipment and set to work. Many hours, mackerel heads and ice-creams later and their quest was deemed a roaring success. Grandad hadn't lost his touch after all.

The day was completed with an excellent meal supplied by the fish and chip shop in Goodwick where the kindly proprietor found a suitable table and various toys to be enjoyed along with such favourites as sausages and chips.

You can rest assured that Grandad and Grandson both slept soundly after their thoroughly enjoyable and busy day.

Congratulations!

Quality Cottages would like to congratulate Mr & Mrs Thomas owners of the elegant Georgian holiday home 'Moray Villa' in Tenby. Moray Villa is one of only three finalists out of over 150 entries nominated for a Pembrokeshire Tourism Award in the category Self Catering.

Just a few minutes stroll from Tenby's lovely beaches and the bustling town centre with its wealth of little shops, cafes and restaurants - this is an ideal home for all year round holidays.

Solva & Newgale on a blustery day.

Enjoyed a walk along the wooded path to the headland at Solva. There were tantalising views of the picturesque village and boat filled estuary. On breaking out of the trees and onto the ridge we were thrilled to see the ground full of deep purple heather and sunny yellow gorse blooming together. Lingered long enough for the lively gusts to blow the cobwebs away and then made our way back along another path, through the village to the Cambrian Inn where food is served all day long. We enjoyed a hearty traditional sunday lunch.

On the way home we couldn't resist Newgale's endless sands and white whipped rollers. We leaned into the wind and walked as far as we could until the rocks closed in around the end of the beach. The return was easier as we were bowled along with the wind in our favour.