One of the unexpected joys of staying at our holiday cottages is that you’ll probably cook more than you planned to. Not out of necessity, but because once you’ve picked up thick-cut steaks from a proper Welsh butcher or a loaf still warm from a century-old bakery oven, eating in becomes the obvious choice.
The Conwy Valley has something rare in modern Britain: a food scene that still revolves around local farmers, family butchers and bakers who’ve been here for generations. You’re not just shopping. You’re supporting the people who grow, rear and make the food, often within a few miles of where you’re standing.
Fig Tree and Laurel are set up for this. Large fridges, well-equipped kitchens and a BBQ on the patio. After a day exploring castles or walking in Eryri, there’s something deeply satisfying about returning to cook up a storm with ingredients that taste like they’re supposed to.
Here’s where to find the best.
Two cottages worth knowing about.
Fig Tree and Laurel sit high above the Conwy Valley with private hot tubs, a shared heated indoor pool and views stretching to Eryri. Dog-friendly and available year-round.
Check availabilityThe Heavyweight: Bodnant Welsh Food Centre
Bodnant Welsh Food is where you go when you want to do one big shop and know you’re getting quality across the board. The butchery counter is exceptional, the deli is stocked with Welsh cheeses, chutneys and preserves, and the bakery does proper sourdough. There’s a wine section with Welsh vineyards represented. You could easily spend an hour browsing.
What to Buy:
- Pre-marinated meats from the butchery counter (their lamb steaks are outstanding)
- Aberffraw biscuits (buttery, shortbread-style Welsh biscuits, perfect with tea)
- Welsh wines from Gwinllan Conwy or Ancre Hill
- Seasonal fruit and veg from local growers
If you’re not in a rush, the on-site restaurant (The Furnace) does excellent seasonal lunches. It’s worth booking ahead in summer.
Practical Info:
- Located at Tal-y-Cafn – 10 minutes from our cottages
- Dog-friendly in the courtyard and outdoor seating areas only
- Large free car park
- Open daily
- Can get busy on weekends, especially in summer
Think Waitrose, but Welsh, independent and worth the short drive.
The Llanrwst Loop
Instead of one big supermarket shop, park once in Llanrwst (Glasdir car park, just off the high street) and hit three exceptional independent shops within a two-minute walk of each other.
You’ll leave with better food and the feeling you’ve experienced something real.
1. A.L. & R.O. Jones (The Butcher)
This is a proper, old-school Welsh butcher: family-run, award-winning and famously the buyer of the “Champion Beast” at the annual Llanrwst agricultural show. That tells you everything about their standards.
What to Buy:
- Thick-cut steaks for the cottage BBQ
- A joint of Welsh lamb for a Sunday roast (they’ll advise on size and cooking times)
- Homemade sausages
- Bacon that actually tastes of something
Insider Tip: If you’re planning a special meal during your stay, this is where to come. The quality is exceptional, the prices are fair and the staff know their trade.
2. Scilicorns (The Bakery)
A 100-year-old oven. Affordable, unpretentious and turning out some of the best baked goods in North Wales.
Scilicorns is the kind of bakery that makes you realise what you’ve been missing. No fancy branding, no Instagram aesthetic. Just proper bread, cakes and biscuits made the way they should be.
What to Buy:
- “O’r Maen” digestive biscuits (made with Conwy Valley wheat, subtle sweetness, perfect with cheese)
- Vanilla slices (custard-filled pastries, messy and brilliant)
- Fresh baps and rolls for picnic lunches
- Bara brith (traditional Welsh tea bread, dense with fruit and spices)
Insider Tip: Arrive early on Saturdays. The locals know, and the best stuff goes fast.
3. Blas ar Fwyd (The Deli & Wine Merchant)
High-end deli and wine specialist. If you’re planning a relaxed evening on the cottage patio with a bottle of wine and a cheese board, this is your stop. The selection is curated, the staff are knowledgeable and everything is sourced with care.
What to Buy:
- Welsh cheeses: Perl Las (creamy blue), Caerphilly (crumbly, tangy), Y Fenni (with mustard seeds)
- Artisan crackers and chutneys
- Local honey and preserves
- Welsh wines and craft beers
Why This Loop Works
You park once, walk 100 metres and leave with meat, bread, cheese and wine. Everything you need for a brilliant meal. No corporate branding, no self-service tills. Just real food from real people.
While you’re there, Llanrwst is worth exploring properly. Tu Hwnt i’r Bont tearoom, a lovely riverside walk and Pont Fawr (the old stone bridge) make it easy to turn the shopping trip into an afternoon out.
The Famous One: Edwards of Conwy
If you’re visiting Conwy Castle (and you should), Edwards is a five-minute walk from the walls. The shop is small, traditional and always busy for a reason.
What to Buy:
- Pork and leek sausages (the signature product, genuinely excellent)
- Welsh lamb chops
- Beef for the BBQ
Edwards gets the headlines, and deservedly so. For everyday quality and value though, the Llanrwst butcher is just as good and far more convenient if you’re staying with us.
What Makes This Different
Shopping at these places isn’t just about convenience. It’s about supporting the farming families who rear the livestock, the bakers who wake at 4am to fire up their ovens and the small businesses that give this valley its character.
When you buy lamb from A.L. & R.O. Jones, there’s a good chance it was grazed on the hillsides you walked past that morning. The wheat in Scilicorns’ biscuits was grown in the valley. The cheeses at Blas ar Fwyd come from Welsh dairies you could visit.
That connection matters. And it tastes better.
FAQs
Where is the best place to buy meat for a BBQ in North Wales?
A.L. & R.O. Jones in Llanrwst is outstanding for quality and value. If you’re visiting Conwy, Edwards of Conwy is worth the stop for their famous sausages. Both are traditional family butchers who know their trade.
Is Bodnant Welsh Food Centre dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard and seating areas. They’re not allowed inside the main food hall or restaurant.
What local food is Conwy famous for?
Conwy is famous for its mussels, harvested from the estuary between September and April. Welsh lamb from the surrounding hills is exceptional. Scilicorns bakery in Llanrwst makes biscuits using Conwy Valley wheat. And if you’re here in autumn, look for locally foraged mushrooms and game on restaurant menus.
Some images: © Crown Copyright
