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In Snowdonia, we take food and drink seriously. Some of our local produce - like Conwy mussels, Welsh black beef and Harlech salt marsh lamb - is famous throughout Britain and beyond. Other, more unusual delicacies are also gaining popularity - like the excellent range of beers made by the Purple Moose Brewery in Porthmadog. Wherever you go in Snowdonia, there's an abundance of fantastic local produce. From corner shops stocking locally-baked cakes and locally-laid eggs, to award-winning delicatessens and convenience stores selling a huge range of local produce, you're never far from something delicious when you visit Snowdonia. Food festivals and farmers' markets are also a great way to discover Snowdonia's gastronomic delights, and these - along with specialist shops - are included in our list of ten ways to discover Snowdonia's local produce. 1. Llyn Land and Sea Festival, 2-3 June The Llyn Land and Sea Festival takes place at Pwllheli Marina on 2-3 June, where dozens of local producers will have stands where you can buy anything from sea salt and balsamic vinegar to seafood and sausages. There will also be several cooking demonstrations taking place, and with admission at £3 for adults and free for children, this is an inexpensive way to while away a day or two! 2. History Chef, 2-3 June At Caernarfon Castle during the weekend of 2-3 June, look out for the History Chef. This modern-day chef will recreate a number of dishes that were popular in medieval times, and you'll have a chance to taste the dishes at the end. Normal Caernarfon Castle admission prices apply. 3. Iechyd Da, Betws y Coed If you're in Betws y Coed, make sure you pop into the Iechyd Da delicatessen and try out some of the fantastic local produce, preserves, cheeses and locally-smoked fish on offer. There are delicacies from further afield too, and unusual products like Italian vegetable seeds and a selection of Polish groceries. 4. Glasfryn Farm Shop Glasfryn Parc is perhaps best known for its go-karts, archery, bowling and wakeboarding. But it's also a working farm, and has a fantastic farm shop where you can buy fresh meat, luxury ingredients, and an excellent range of locally made preserves, dairy products and continental groceries. 5. Ogwen Local Produce Market The Ogwen Local Produce Market takes place in Bethesda on the second Saturday of every month. Here you'll be able to buy all sorts of goodies, including local meat, cheese, bread, cards, chocolate, jam, cakes, vegetables, plants, gifts, crafts and much more. 6. Y Pantri Cymraeg Y Pantri Cymraeg in Caernarfon is like a little Aladdin's cave of locally produced food and drink. As well as all the usual suspects - preserves, baked goods, local chocolates and the like - Y Pantri Cymraeg is a great place to shop if you'd like to buy alcoholic drinks made in Wales. Here you'll find a good stock of Purple Moose beers, Penderyn whiskeys, and other local drinks. 7. Continental Market, 15-16 June Although it's not focused on local produce, the continental market at Barmouth on 15-16 June deserves a mention as it's such an unusual event, with stalls from a range of different European countries staffed by stallholders wearing traditional costumes. Everything from French cheeses to Corsican saucissons, via Italian hams and Irish fudges, will be on sale. 8. Blas ar Fwyd, Llanrwst In Llanrwst, be sure to visit the Blas ar Fwyd delicatessen - the largest in England and Wales, outside of London. There's an impressive selection of great food and drink at Blas ar Fwyd, and if you don't feel like cooking it yourself, don't worry - the owner's business empire also includes a fabulous restaurant and brasserie, Amser Da, which serves freshly prepared Welsh and international food. 9. Conwy Honey Fair, 13 September There's been a Conwy Honey Fair for over 700 years, since the reign of Edward I. Held on Conwy High Street and Lancaster Square, the Conwy Honey Fair is a great opportunity to chat to beekeepers and buy locally produced honey and products made from beeswax. There are also plant stalls, local produce stands and much more - a great day out and well worth a visit. 10. Gwledd Conwy (Conwy Feast), 27-28 October A month or so after the honey fair, return to Conwy for the Conwy Feast, which lasts two days and is lots of fun. As well as things you'd expect to see at a food festival - stalls selling local produce, cookery demonstrations and the like - you'll also see livestock, arts and crafts, Morris dancers and plenty of excellent live music. Conwy Feast is such a big event, it's really not to be missed - so clear your diary at the end of October and head for Conwy! Steven Jones is Senior Tourism Services Officer at Cyngor Gwynedd Council, a Welsh local authority whose Visit Snowdonia website provides visitors to Snowdonia with a wealth of useful information about the region, including things to do in Snowdonia and where to stay in Snowdonia.
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Snowdonia, Snowdonia food and drink, Snowdonia shopping, Snowdonia produce, Snowdonia markets, Snowdonia food festivals, Snowdonia events,
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