The North Wales Way - Food and Drink Trail

Starting at the Wales/England border and running westwards for 75 miles/120km to the tip of Anglesey, The North Wales Way is one of three Wales Way touring routes created to guide and inspire visitors. Each ‘Way’ has been designed as a fluid experience, not a route that’s set in stone, with plenty of diversions off the main path that allow you to explore further and deeper.

On this four-day culinary journey you’ll sample some of the finest food and drink on and around The North Wales Way, from freshly caught seafood and world-beating Welsh beef and lamb to wines, beers and spirits packed with local flavour.

Day 1

Start out at Hawarden Estate Farm Shop. Browse the shelves for wonderful Welsh produce, grab a sandwich made from freshly baked bread and pick your own fruit and vegetables during the summer months. Once you’ve worked up a thirst, head to the Magic Dragon Brewery at Plassey Leisure Park near Wrexham for some Independent Beer Award-winning brews.

Next, follow the A539/A5 through the Vale of Llangollen to Rhug Estate in Corwen, where you can pick up everything from tender Welsh lamb to flavoursome continental cheese in the farm shop (or let someone else do the cooking with a meal in the Bison Grill Bistro).

Suggested overnight: Corwen.

Day 2

Drive along the A5/A470 through hills, moors and vales to Colwyn Bay, where you’ll find Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias sitting a stone’s throw from the sea on the rejuvenated sweep of the bay. Named Welsh Restaurant of the Year in 2019 by the AA, its menu of locally caught seafood (try the mussels), farm-fresh meat and seasonal produce has something for every palate.

Then head off for a tour of Gwinllan Conwy vineyard, where you’ll learn how they make their award-winning wines (and have the chance to taste a few). Carry on to Conwy and Baravelli’s Artisan Chocolatiers. The only place in Wales to make chocolate ‘from cocoa bean to bar’, it’s packed with delectable and meticulously crafted treats.

For your evening entertainment head to Llandudno’s Venue Cymru for a packed programme of theatrical entertainment. Take your pick from traditional family pantomimes (a big hit at Christmas time), performances by Welsh National Opera, pop music, dance and hit plays and musicals direct from the West End.

Suggested overnight: Conwy or Llandudno.

Day 3

Continue your journey to Abergwyngregyn near Bangor for the Aber Falls Distillery. Take a tour of this innovative whisky distillery, one of only four in Wales, which also produces handcrafted gins and liqueurs. Carry on to Bangor and the Blue Sky Café, where a varied and seasonal menu is based wherever possible on local suppliers and organic produce. Then it’s just a short hop to Pant Du Vineyard near Penygroes, which produces delicious cider and apple juice alongside red, sparkling and rosé wines.

Suggested overnight: Caernarfon.

Day 4

Crossing the Britannia Bridge across to Anglesey, make your way to Brynsiencyn for a tour of Halen Môn’s Saltcote and Visitor Centre. From humble beginnings on the shores of the Menai Strait, this award-winning sea salt is now a fixture in some of the world’s best restaurants.

At Llanddeusant you’ll find Melin Llynon. The only working windmill in Wales, it’s the place to pick up some of the best cakes in the country, courtesy of Anglesey-born pastry chef Richard Holt. Finally travel on to Cemaes Bay, where Gadlys Hotel’s Bay View Restaurant serves local produce like Menai mussels in a stylish dining room that comes with stunning sea views.

Suggested overnight: Cemaes Bay.