The Conwy Valley between Betws-y-Coed and Conwy town, and the wider farmland around Eryri, supports some of the finest local food production in north Wales: livestock farms, vegetable growers, cheesemakers and beekeepers whose products appear on the best tables in the area. Seeking out local produce, in farm shops, at markets and in the restaurants that source locally, is Experience #58 of the Snowdonia 100.
What to Look For
| Welsh Black beef | Grass-fed cattle from the valley and hill farms |
| Welsh lamb | From the upland pastures of Eryri |
| Seasonal vegetables | From local growers, including community farms such as Moelyci near Bethesda |
| Local honey | Including heather honey from upland beekeepers |
Where to Buy
Farm shops along the Conwy valley, local markets in Conwy and the surrounding towns, and the better delis in Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst all stock local produce. Several restaurants, particularly in Conwy and Betws-y-Coed, make their sourcing explicit on their menus. Check opening days before you go, as small producers often keep limited hours.
The Landscape Behind the Food
The Conwy valley’s combination of fertile alluvial soils on the valley floor and rough upland pasture on the hillsides above creates the conditions for a varied local food economy. The farms are visible from the valley road; the vegetable fields occupy the flattest and most fertile ground. This is a working agricultural landscape, not a heritage one, and the food it produces is excellent.
The Conwy Honey Fair
If you can time your visit, Conwy’s Honey Fair fills the High Street and Lancaster Square each September with stalls of honey, cakes, plants and homemade jam. Its organisers trace the tradition back to the 13th century, when Edward I founded the town and allowed beekeepers to trade there, and the same charter covers the Seed Fair held in the town in spring. It is one of the oldest fairs in Britain, and a lovely way to buy direct from local beekeepers. Check the date each year before you travel.
How to Do It
Make a slow day of it along the valley, browsing in Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst and finishing in Conwy. Without a car, the Conwy Valley railway line links Llandudno Junction with Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog, with stops along the valley. Bring a cool bag if you are buying meat or cheese to take home, and carry some cash, as small stalls and honesty boxes do not always take cards. Late summer and autumn, when the harvest is in and the honey is fresh, are the richest times.
Nearby
Visit the Wynn family’s Tudor house at Gwydir Castle (Experience #49) near Llanrwst, see the valley at its most atmospheric with Betws-y-Coed in November (Experience #32), or end the day in Conwy itself.
Conwy Valley Produce FAQ
When is the Conwy Honey Fair?
It is held each September on Conwy’s High Street and Lancaster Square. Check the exact date for the year you are visiting.
What is Welsh Black beef?
Beef from the Welsh Black, a hardy native breed of cattle raised on valley and hill farms across north Wales.
Experience #58 of 100, Food and Drink category.