Safaris
The Cheese & Wine Safari
Cheese & Wine are often considered to be the perfect culinary combination and we are fortunate in Snowdonia that both are produced right here. This Safari will give you a taste of the produce and a flavour of the region.
The day will start with a visit to Pant Du Farm & Vineyard which is nestled at the bottom of the beautiful Nantlle Valley. Richard & Iola Wyn Huws have planted the vines and create the wines, as well as making apple juice and cider. On the Safari you will be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm & vineyard and hear the story of how Pant Du have become the first wine producers in the locality perhaps since Roman times. There will be an introduction to wine tasting as well as wine sampling.
Lunch will be a Welsh local produce spread prepared and introduced by the Bwtri Delicatessen, followed by a cheese board with some of the best cheeses from Wales.
After lunch the Safari will call at Pen y Bont Farm on the Llyn Peninsula where Richard & Linda Hurst produce cheese using milk from their own goat herd. They produce a range of soft and hard cheeses with unique flavours from their 34 strong herd that forage and nibble hedgerows. You will meet the goats (and possibly some kids), learn about the cheese making process in detail as well as enjoying some of the delicious cheeses.
When & Where?
Depart from Portmeirion at 10.00. The Safari will finish back at Portmeirion at about 4.00.
Alternatively the departure and return destination can be Caernarfon.
Cheese & Wine Safari £75 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
Anglesey Vegetable Voyage Safari
Whether you devote your life to your plot or merely enjoy munching seasonal produce, this safari will further open your eyes to the wonders of vegetable growing. Anglesey’s climate is ideally suited to vegetable growing and the island has long been associated with food production, hence it’s nickname as “Môn Mam Cymru” (Mother of Wales).
The day begins with a visit to Medwyn Williams’s vegetable plot. To say that Medwyn knows his onions is rather an understatement. He is ten times Gold medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show, current Chairman of the National Vegetable Society, President of the Welsh Branch of the same Society and a member of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. Under Medwyn’s guidance you will be given a tour of the plot, an insight into vegetable growing and possibly a few tips.
Lunch will be next door at the conveniently located Hooton’s Homegrown cafe. Hooton’s were the Welsh Regional Winners of Gary Rhodes’ Local Food Heroes 2008 and featured on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers. We can guarantee that the food will be seasonal, extremely local and very tasty.
In the afternoon the Safari will venture to Cae Gwyn to learn how Phil and Rowena Mansfield grow vegetables using hydroponics and aquaponics. Both systems allow vegetables to be grown without soil, with the latter involving the use of fish! The Mansfield’s enthusiasm is infectious and you will learn how this innovative approach can be applied on a micro scale by the amateur gardener.
When & Where?
Depart from Menai Bridge, Anglesey at 10.30. The Safari will finish back at Menai Bridge at
about 3.30.
Vegetable Voyage Safari £75.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
Welsh Tipple Trail Safari
This is Wales’s very own version of the French wine trail. The region is developing a reputation for producing a range of drinks using apples, berries and even grapes. This Safari will take you to meet three small producers who will demonstrate that the Irish and Scots aren’t the only Celts that can produce a delicious tipple!
The day will start with a visit to Pant Du Farm & Vineyard which is nestled at the bottom of the beautiful Nantlle Valley. Richard & Iola Wyn Huws have planted the vines and create the wines, as well as making apple juice and cider. On the Safari you will be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm & vineyard and hear the story of how Pant Du have become the first wine producers in the locality perhaps since Roman times. There will be an introduction to wine tasting as well as wine sampling.
Lunch will be tapas style with a Welsh twist. The Bwtri Delicatessen will provide a selection of local produce, including cheeses, smoked meats, breads and cakes.
After lunch the Safari will call in on Hazel and Gwilym Jones at their farm near Chwilog. They produce their own liqueur by the name of Aerona, made with handpicked Aronia berries from plants grown on the family farm. Although it is native to eastern North America, the Aronia berry now thrives on the Llyn Peninsula and has prompted the Joneses to diversify the family farming business. Discover the delights of this berry and have a taste of the warm and velvety liqueur.
The Safari will finish at the famous Purple Moose Brewery in Porthmadog. Lawrence Washington established the business in 2005 with a one-off special pale ale at 3.5% called “No.1″. Since
then they have gone from strength to strength, producing a range of real ales and winning a
“barrel full” of awards in the process. On the Safari you will learn about the different ales,
the beer making process and even where the name “Purple Moose” came from. Obviously you will
also be encouraged to sample some Dark Side of the Moose, Snowdonia Ale and possibly a few
others at their very own bar.
When & Where?
Depart from Porthmadog at 10.00. The Safari will finish back at Porthmadog at about 4.00.
Alternatively the departure and return destination can be Caernarfon.
Tipple Trail Safari £75.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
The Welsh Cheese Safari
If you’ve ever wondered how cheese is made, or what makes a Camembert different from a Brie, then this is the Safari for you! There is a fantastic variety of unique artisan cheese made with pride and care, right here in Wales. Many cheeses are being made on a small scale by farmers, working with the combination of lush landscapes and their beautiful livestock, to produce some truly special cheeses.
This Safari will visit two different cheese producers, and there will be a talk on the cheeses of Wales.
The day begins at Rhyd y Delyn Farm where Menai Jones produces a creamy Camembert-style cheese using milk from her farm’s own herd. You will be given a tour of the farm, and an insight into the cheese making process, even meeting the cows! Obviously no visit is complete without some samples of the delicious cheese to see, smell and taste.
Lunch will be at Moo Baa Oinc, a farm shop and cafe in the scenic town of Beaumaris. They specialise in all things local and provide a perfect venue for the Safari lunch. You will be treated to a meal made with the best regional ingredients, and of course a selection of Welsh cheeses.
In the afternoon the Safari will visit Y Cwt Caws (The Cheese Hut) and meet Nigel Jefferies and his herd of goats. Nigel is one of only a handful of commercial goat milk producers in Wales, and he has established a creamery on the family farm to produce a feta-type cheese and a range of soft cheeses called Peli Pablo. You will be taken on a tour of the farm and the creamery, and learn about what makes a goat’s cheese great.
When & Where?
Depart from Menai Bridge, Anglesey at 10.30. The Safari will finish back at Menai Bridge at
about 3.30.
Welsh Cheese Safari £75.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
The Mushroom Safari
Cynan Jones has been cultivating mushrooms for six years from old farm buildings between Porthmadog and Beddgelert, supplying fresh and dried shiitake, oyster and porcini mushrooms to restaurants and shops across the United Kingdom. He has won a National Trust Fine Farm Produce Award for his amazing mushrooms.
Cynan is passionate about mushrooms and an experienced fungle forager! The Safari will start with a gentle stroll from Beddgelert to Nantmor, along the Glaslyn River calling in on woodlands to collect mushrooms and chat about wild mushrooms along the way. The woods are full of wild mushrooms and on a sunny autumnal day the orange trumpet-like chanterelles poke out of the leaf litter and moss like beacons to Cynan’s trained eye yet remain unseen by most walkers. Milk caps, amethyst deceivers and a whole host of delicious fungi are sprouting all over the place.
Lunch will be served at the Goat Hotel, Beddgelert. They are one of Cynan’s best customers and will serve a meal of local and seasonal produce, which will of course, include mushrooms.
After lunch Cynan will give a talk and slide show on the edible mushrooms of Snowdonia, followed by a visit to the Mushroom Garden. Here you will see how the mushrooms are grown all year round in loaf-sized bags of oak sawdust, supplied by a local farmer, into which the spores are introduced.
Cynan is also an acclaimed Welsh poet and his way with words will ensure that your day is informative, fascinating and amusing in equal measure.
When & Where?
Nantmor, Nr.Beddgelert at 10.30am
The Mushroom Safari £75.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
The Welsh Farm “Yesterday & Today” Safari
Farming has shaped the landscape and culture of Wales. There have been dramatic changes over the last century with farms increasing in size whilst the variety of produce has decreased. This Safari will take a journey through time and provide an insight into life on the Welsh Tyddyn (smallholding) at the turn of the last century, before visiting a modern working farm.
The Safari will start at Swtan, a fully restored example of a 17th century thatched roof Welsh cottage. It is situated on the beautiful north west Wales coast of Anglesey, in the picturesque village of Church Bay. It has been restored to its original state at the beginning of the 20th century, complete with cow shed, grain store, hen house and vegetable garden. Visitors to this beautiful cottage will learn how the smallholder was completely self sufficient, producing their own milk, cheese, vegetables and meat.
The Lobster Pot Restaurant is situated within a short walk of Swtan and will provide a tasty local produce lunch. Established in 1946 as a café and guest house, it has developed into a renowned seafood restaurant. From the very beginning emphasis is still placed on fresh local produce and a friendly informal family atmosphere. Local lobsters and crabs are fresh daily; oysters and mussels are from the Menai Straits, and the scallops are from the Irish Sea. They also serve meat and vegetarian dishes made using fresh and local ingredients.
After lunch we travel to a working farm, Rhyd y Delyn Farm, which produces cheese. At Rhyd y Delyn, Menai Jones produces a creamy Camembert-style cheese using milk from the farm’s own herd. We will take you on a tour of the farm, give you an insight into the farming and cheese making, and even meet the animals. Obviously no visit is complete without some samples to taste!
When & Where?
Depart from Menai Bridge, Anglesey at 10.30. The Safari will finish back at Menai Bridge at
about 4.00.
The Welsh Farm Safari £75.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
The Snowdonia Ale Trail Safari
Snowdonia has a reputation for producing some excellent real ales. Among the micro breweries are the Purple Moose Brewery, The Great Orme Brewery, The Conwy Brewery and The Bragdy Nant Brewery and between them they have put North Wales on the Real Ale map and won a host of awards.
These breweries have joined forces and run their own pub in Conwy. It’s an old pub which dates back to the 1920s, run in a traditional manner. They have restored the Albion to its former glory and created a “real” pub in which to serve their “real” ale. Gone are the pool tables, television and juke box, and in their place are traditional table games and good conversation.
The Ale Trail will start with a guided tour around one of the breweries where you will learn about the beer making process and the different ingredients used. Lunch will be simple traditional fayre – pies from Edwards of Conwy and a selection of local Welsh cheeses.
After lunch we will be tasting a wide selection of beers produced by the four breweries. The tasting will take place in the “snug” at the Albion and will be run by the brewers themselves. You will learn about their stories, why they started making beer, what makes one beer different from another, and what makes “good” ale in the eyes (or mouths) of the experts.
When & Where?
Depart from Conwy at 10.30. The Safari will finish back in Conwy at around 4.00.
The Ale Trail Safari £100.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of eight people, or equivalent cost)
The Bouquet Day Safari
A Safari combining ‘floral bouquets’ and ‘wine bouquets’! The day starts with a flower design masterclass with Sioned Rowlands at the craft workshops in the picturesque Glynllifon Country Park. Sioned admits to having an obsession with flowers, and she has won awards for her contemporary flower designs, which are often inspired by walks through the Welsh countryside.
Sioned will demonstrate how to make a contemporary flower holder, that can used again and again, by working together wood, glass, wire and fruit tree branches. Then, working with which ever flowers are in season at the time, Sioned will help you to create your own floral arrangement. If your Safari is part of a hen weekend, then you can choose to create the perfect ‘wedding bouquet’ if you would like. You take your own stunning arrangements away with you at the end of the Flower School.
Lunch will be served at the nearby 5 Star Plas Dinas Country House. Set in 15 acres of splendid gardens it is a beautiful venue. You can indulge in an afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, a selection of homemade cakes, a pot of tea and sparkling rose, or alternatively you can choose the buffet lunch with local cheeses, biscuits, bread, salad and sliced meats, followed by a delicious pudding and sparkling rose.
After lunch we will visit Richard and Iola Wyn Huws’ Vineyard ‘Pant Du’, nestled at the foot of the spectacular Nantlle Valley. The afternoon will start with a tour of the vineyard and a talk on the fascinating history of Pant Du. There will be a wine tasting class where you will sample some of the many wines on sale at the vineyard, as well as tasting ‘Pd’, Pant Du’s very own wine. Richard has visited each of the vineyards that supply the wines and is therefore well qualified to discuss them!
When & Where?
Depart from Porthmadog at 11.00. The Safari will finish back at Porthmadog at about 4.00.
Alternatively the departure and return destination can be Caernarfon.
Bouquet Day Safari £150.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)
The Salt Marsh Safari
This mini Safari provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history and the environment of the Dwyryd Estuary, and why it provides excellent grazing conditions for the famous Welsh Salt Marsh Lamb. The two hour excursion leaves on foot from Portmeirion. The Dwyryd Estuary was a popular destination with cockle pickers in the 1920′s and 1930′s, and also provided an excellent source of flounders. The marshes provide unique grazing conditions and you will learn about why this is, and how the famous Welsh Salt Marsh Lamb is produced.
The estuary is home to a wealth of wildlife and the recent return of otters demonstrates the importance of the area. There is local history interest too – Gwaith Powdr, a decommissioned explosives works, has a fascinating story, and Cei Bach is where the slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog was exported around the world.
Depending on the time of year of your Safari, there may be a sheep shearing demonstration. Sheep are usually sheared in the early summer months, or immediately prior to winter housing.
When & Where?
Depart from Penrhyndeudraeth at 10.00. The safari will finish at Penrhyndeudraeth at around 12.00.
Salt Marsh Safari £25.00 per person*
*(minimum Safari group of six people, or equivalent cost)