Tours and Trails
Blaenafon Cheddar Company
A family run cheese company based in Blaenafon. Tastings are available for individuals and small groups usually from Monday - Saturday. Tasting sessions last for 1hr 15min. Visitors are able to look through the new viewing window for free and purchase products on site. Larger groups can be accommodated by prior arrangement only (not on Sundays). The Taste Wales package offers a meet and greet with tea/coffee, business presentation, cheese tasting, tour of the production and retail site and a three course Taste Wales lunch. Driver and guide are free. A visit can be combined with the Big Pit National Coal Museum and the Blaenavon Ironworks.
Carmarthenshire Larder Trails
Three culinary self-guided trails across Carmarthenshire have been created with the help of three food writers providing insider knowledge to ensure visitors experience the very best food and drink offer in the area. The trails feature the best places for produce market shopping, coffee stops, lunch and dinner highlights, delis, experiences and suggested places to stay. Search for other 100% Carmarthenshire food and drink delights on their website.
Coco Live, Newtown
Chocolate workshops and tasting experiences are available for groups of up to 30 clients, delivered by a team of experienced chocolate makers. The Chocolate Experience allows clients to make, fill and decorate chocolate bars, and workshops can be tailored for each group. A tutored chocolate tasting experience is also available.
Halen Môn Anglesey Sea Salt, Anglesey
A behind the scene tour of the saltocte and visitor centre lasts approximately 60min and ends with a salt tasting. Your clients will discover their story, the hand-harvesting process and what makes Halen Môn Sea Salt the world's finest seasoning. Tours run every day at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, suitable for up to 12 guests. However, they can do special tours for larger groups and can accommodate up to 45 delegates on evening and weekends and up to 28 on week days. Booking in advance is essential. Your clients may also wish to book a Wild Seaweed Bath experience. There is a gift shop and pop-up café outside overlooking the Menai Strait. There is suitable parking for coaches.
Loving Welsh Food, Cardiff
Loving Welsh Food offers a variety of food and drink tours, cooking workshops, presentations and online experiences for individuals and groups. The Cosmopolitan Cardiff Food Tour, which runs every Friday, takes in the sites, aromas and international tastes around the capital city calling into different cafés, delis and restaurants. The Cardiff Tasting Tour and Cardiff Lunch and Landmarks Tour offer guests a delicious way to find out about Welsh food and drink while getting to explore the beautiful capital city of Wales. They also offer coach tours (exclusive of coach hire) including Castles & Cuisine tour, combing Welsh castles, Welsh cuisine, Cardiff city centre and the tranquil surroundings of the Vale of Glamorgan.
The guides at Loving Welsh Food offer unique and personal tours of Cardiff, where clients will learn a few words of Welsh along the way. 'A Taste of Wales' event in conjunction with the The Welsh House and Penderyn Brecon Beacons Distillery offer Welsh entertainment, food and drink and provides a Welsh welcome to international visitors. Bespoke tours and events can also be arranged and all tours can also be offered in Welsh, French, Italian, Spanish and German on request.
Sea Fishing Trips, Conwy
Wreck fishing, general ground fishing, reef and bank fishing trips with skipper, Carl Davies, for individuals or groups up to ten people starting from Conwy Morfa. Trips last for 6hr to 12hr and shorter evening trips can be arranged. The lobster safari is a shorter 2hr trip which takes in the Great Orme with an opportunity to learn about the world of the lobster and see wildlife such as seals and seabirds, ending with a chance to buy lobster and crab. St George's Hotel in Llandudno has teamed up with Carl and can offer to cook your fresh lobster for your evening meal.
Hotels arranging food tours
The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny
The Angel Hotel is working with local businesses and developing new product ideas and things to do for small groups. This includes workshops and wellbeing sessions at Nant y Bedd Gardens.
Twr y Felin, Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory, St Davids
The Retreats Group in St Davids offer three luxury boutique hotels including Twr y Felin (a former windmill), Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory. They can offer unique breaks and dining experiences.
Cookery schools and workshops
The country is a melting pot of fresh and varied ingredients, and some of the country's top chefs are opening up their kitchens to pass on top tips to culinary-minded travellers.
Abergavenny Baker Cookery School
In 2015, after working as an NHS doctor for almost 30 years, Rachael Watson ditched her stethoscope, built a new kitchen and opened a cookery school. She won the Food Awards Wales Best Cookery School in 2018 (runner up 2023), has hosted celebrity film crews (Dr Xander Van Tulleken) and featured on Sheila Dillon's BBC Food Programme celebrating 25 years of the Abergavenny Food Festival. Classes are relaxed and informal, suitable for complete novices and accomplished cooks alike and incorporate bread cultures from across the world, from the soft sweetness of Scandi cinnamon buns to the tang of a country sourdough loaf. Rachael's Food to Feel Good About classes use beautifully fresh ingredients to create delicious, exotic dishes with as little time and effort (and washing up) as possible. Half and full day classes are available for between 6 to 10 bakers. Bespoke classes can be arranged from Thursday to Sunday.
Angela Gray's Cookery School, Llanerch Vineyard
Angela Gray is a food writer, food consultant and former chef to the rich and famous including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. She has appeared on many foodie programmes on BBC radio and TV, written food related articles for newspapers and magazines and has also written a number of books. Angela’s cookery school offers an exciting programme of courses and events including one day courses, skill builders, masterclasses, cookstart academy, Saturday Morning Kitchen, lunch club, chef nights, special events, Weber Grill academy and bespoke events.
Chocolate House, near Pontypridd
The Chocolate House offers bespoke workshops and luxury experiences. They are located at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum. Caffe Bracchi is also on site which serves homemade cakes, desserts and hot food. Afternoon tea can be booked in advance.
Markets, festivals and home hosted dinners
Farmers markets
A great way to find out about food in Wales is to visit a local Farmer’s market. Many locations throughout Wales have farmers markets where you can buy food direct from producers.
Food festivals in Wales
Throughout the year, Wales host many food festivals celebrating great flavours from Wales and around the world. Festivals are a great opportunity to taste, talk about and buy the best local produce available directly from the farmer or food producer.
Home hosted dinners
A great way to enjoy home cooked meals with local people so that your guests can experience Welsh food with Welsh families and learn about life in Wales. Home hosted dinners run by Neil, a Blue Badge Guide, are currently available in the Caernarfon area in North Wales for groups of up to eight (if you have a larger group it can be split out locally). If you have a specific destination in mind it might be feasible. Email Neil for more information.
Michelin starred restaurants
Ynyshir, Machynlleth - Two Michelin stars
Beach House, Oxwich Bay - One Michelin star
Home by James Sommerin, Penarth - One Michelin star
The Walnut Tree, Abergavenny - One Michelin star
Chapters, Hay-on-Wye - Green star*
Palé Hall, Gwynedd - Green star*
Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay - Bib Gourmand**
Hare and Hounds, Aberthin, Vale of Glamorgan - Bib Gourmand**
Yr Hen Printworks, Cardigan - Bib Gourmand**
* culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments and sustainable practices.
** Good value, good quality cooking