#JonesonTour: yn ôl yng Nghymru ac yn ôl ym Mhen Llŷn!
Last time, Jones on Tour ventured away from Wales to explore our close connections with Liverpool. On this occasion however, we take another slightly different approach as we make a return visit to an area that’s close to our hearts, namely Llŷn and Eifionydd, to mark this week’s staging of the prestigious and historic Welsh National Eisteddfod at Boduan, about 4 miles from Pwllheli.
Our aim with all our visits around Wales is to give you a flavour of what it means to us to be Welsh and in our view, nothing expresses this more than the National Eisteddfod.
Held in a different part each year, this welcoming and inclusive festival celebrates the culture and language of Wales through music, visual arts, literature and dance, with competitions held each day throughout the week. Originally planned for 2021, the Eisteddfod finally returns to this area for the first time since 1987 and promises to be a wonderful week and well worth a visit to get a true feel for what it means to be Welsh. The Crowning and Chairing Ceremonies are particular highlights - often dramatic, always emotional - assuming that a worthy winner has been chosen of course!
So, all eyes will be on the Llŷn this week and we thought it would be a timely reminder of what a beautiful part of Wales it is, with so much to see and do, with a range of activities and sights to explore. Here are some suggestions:
Explore Ynys Enlli / Bardsey Island
Now this is a truly magical place! Often referred to as the burial place of 20,000 saints, weather permitting you can catch a day trip to the island from Porth Meudwy near Aberdaron, which is about 16 miles from Pwllheli
A renowned location for spotting wildlife, where you can see choughs, grey seals and puffins in abundance.
There’s even a rare apple variety to be found here, The Bardsey Apple, which can now be bought to grow in your very own orchard! Not so rare, but enjoyable nonetheless are the Jones o Gymru range of crisps and popcorn, which can be found at the Caffi at Ynys Enlli, together with their very warm welcome! Where better to sample a true taste of Wales!
Visit Abersoch. With beautiful beaches, water sports, and a vibrant atmosphere with a wide variety of places to eat and drink, it's no wonder this village is hugely popular with tourists .
Walk the Wales Coast Path. There are so many wonderful routes to experience along this peninsula, with stunning coastal views and hidden coves to discover.
Discover Porthdinllaen the picturesque small village with its world famous pub Ty Coch, stunning beach, and panoramic views. Well worth a visit and pop in to Caffi Porthdinllaen for some Jones sustenance!
Criccieth Castle, set on a rocky headland between two beaches, built by two Welsh princes and ultimately destroyed by another, Owain Glyndwr, gives you a fascinating insight into Wales' past. After all that exploring you’ll no doubt build up an appetite for good Welsh food, Dylan’s in Criccieth is the perfect place!
Explore Plas yn Rhiw, this National Trust property with its beautiful gardens, historic manor house, and wonderful coastal views. Plus the cafe is well worth a visit and you guessed it, Jones snacks are sold here!
A visit to Aberdaron is another must for this part of Wales. Experience the charm of this small village, visit its picturesque beach, and enjoy local cafes, [Caffi Traeth Aberdaron is a firm favourite!] and shops.
Take part in activities like surfing, paddleboarding, or sailing at various locations along the peninsula's coast, particularly the Plas Heli National Watersports Academy at Pwllheli.
If golf is your thing , then Pwllheli Golf Club, Nefyn Golf Club and Abersoch Golf Club will not disappoint, with the stunning headland holes at Nefyn always featured heavily when promoting the golf tourism in Wales.
All in all, this is a wonderful part of Wales, with such a lot to see and do at any time of year, in a relatively small area. But get over there and experience the ‘Steddfod this week, for a true taste of Wales, and don’t forget to take some Jones o Gymru products with you! With that in mind, here is a snapshot of the many other spots you can grab a Jones o Gymru snack or two along the Llŷn…
Becws Islyn - Aberdaron, Nefyn, Pwllheli
Spar - Aberdaron, Nefyn, Abersoch, Llanbedrog