Tag: <span>wales</span>

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The Bodnant Welsh Food Center has set itself as one of the top foodie destinations in Great Britain. Visiting here means engaging into a wonderful culinary experience like no other!

The complex houses a working farm, a wine cellar and gourmet restaurant among others. The center is a testament to Wales’ ever growing passion for regional food and its production. It occupies 18th century stone buildings, which are part of the Furnace Farm estate. This Welsh Food Center aims to attract both tourists and locals alike with its plethora of food and drinks! At Bodnant, you can embark on a true blue Welsh food tour, whether you decide to visit for a few hours or the entire day. This award-winning center lies at the heart of the Conwy Valley, with the stunning landscape of Snowdonia serving as a worthy backdrop.

Your first order of business could very well be a stop at the center’s farm shop. Here, you are guaranteed to find some of the best local meat and produce in the country. Head over to the dairy section, to sample not only the local milk but also some top dairy products like handmade cheese, yogurt and ice cream. The on-site bakery, on the other hand, regularly produces fresh traditional and seasonal breads. Some of the best sellers include the Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith.

And just when you think you have died and gone to food heaven, you will soon realize that the journey is just beginning. The next section worth experiencing is the bee-keeping site, where sweet and healthy honey and honey lotions are produced. In fact, such site is hailed as the National Beekeeping Centre of Wales. To see the bees in action, make your sure to plan your visit at the right time of the year.

One of the most popular sections at the Bodnant Welsh Food Center is the wine shop, which sells not only the finest local wines but also products that come from the biggest wine regions in the world. Don’t just browse around – go for a wine tasting and food pairing session to make the visit more memorable!

A visit to the Bodnant is not only about eating, it is the total Welsh culinary adventure. At the center’s cooking school, several courses that last from one to four days are offered all year round by top Welsh chefs. You can choose to learn how to prepare and cook local fish or bake that perfect cake for the family to enjoy! But if you really do not have time for any classes, at least have a satisfying meal at the center’s premier Hayloft Restaurant.

To reach Bodnant Welsh Food Center, you can choose to drive the A55 Expressway along the North Wales coast. Another alternative is to take the train that goes from London to Holyhead. Get off at the Llandudno Junction, and take a local line to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Request to stop at Tal-y-Cafn, which lies at the center of the Bodnant Estate.

If you feel like a few hours is not enough to fully enjoy the Bodnant Welsh Food Center, consider staying a night or two at the estate’s 5 star bed and breakfast accommodation, housed in the 18th century Furnace Farmhouse.

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Source by Nagib Georges Araman

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Rent Smart Wales is the Welsh Assembly scheme for registering landlords, letting agents and properties. It came into force in November 2015 allowing landlords and agents up to 12 months to become registered. It applies to any person who owns residential rental properties in Wales, UK.

There are two types of registrations required for Landlords.

1. The landlord registration is a paid registration for all landlords who own a residential property in Wales which they do not live in. The fee for this is £33.50 if you apply online and £80.50 if you do a paper application. As part of the registration process you are required to supply details of all the properties you own.

Where you have any jointly owned properties, they are required to be registered in joint names with a lead landlord nominated to receive the rent. If you own properties in your own name along with properties in joint names you will need two separate registrations. One for individual properties and one for joint properties.

2. The second registration is for the management of the property. If you use a letting agent all you need to do is link an approved agent to each property. The online system provides a list of Agents authorised through the Rent Smart Wales scheme. The agent has to confirm they are acting for you and managing the property.

If you choose to manage the properties yourself then you need a license which will cost £144.00 for an online application or £186.00 for a paper application. You will need to attend a training course and pass a test from a Rent Smart Wales accredited trainer to ensure you comply with and are familiar with all the rules and regulations for renting and maintaining a rental property. Training courses vary in price depending on the training company but normally start from around £75.00.

Since 23rd November 2016, Rent Smart Wales has prosecuted landlords who fail to comply with the regulations. Enforcement orders can include a variety of penalties from fixed fines to loss of rent and rent repayment orders.

Any tenant who applies for a benefit, of any type, are asked to supply details of the property they are renting and councils or government departments are cross checking to ensure landlords are registered and licensed to manage the property under the scheme. Councils have authority to prosecute anyone who doesn’t comply with the requirements. Mortgage Lenders and Insurance Companies are being asked to ensure they don’t lend or insure unlicensed Landlords.

The process for registering is completed through the Rent Smart Wales website. Obtaining a management license will take a little longer. Don’t fall foul of the Rent Smart Wales Registration Scheme.

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Source by Karen M Newton

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It is not surprising to see majestic castles standing tall in many areas of Wales. These castles have stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time and the rich history of Wales. When you visit Wales and stay at the luxurious Wales holiday cottages, you must not miss going to the different castles in the country. Wales holiday cottages will put you within near distance to these historic places. Here are two of the great castles in Wales.

Bodelwyddan Castle

This beautiful Victorian Castle is located in Denbigshire and is a short drive away from your Wales holiday cottages. This beautiful Victorian Castle is set in 260 acres of formal gardens, parkland and natural woodland. It was built in the 15th century but was remodeled in the 1820s in the Gothic revival style. In the 1980s, the period rooms were restored to its magnificent glory and it now houses the artworks from the National Portrait Gallery, V&A and Royal Academy. The park has an adventure play area for the kids added on in 2011. You can also see the remains of rare practice trenches that date back to World War I and will take you back to all the horrors of war. The open parkland that surrounds the castle is ideal for games as well as picnics so you must bring a picnic basket prepared at your self-catering Wales holiday cottages. There are also formal gardens and a woodland walk that goes through an orchard, a butterfly glade and a bird hide.

There is a Victorian games room that you might want to try out and a garden maze if you have the time. You can enjoy having some tea and snacks at the tea room and buy some souvenirs at the gift shop before you leave. The Castle is open on different times during the year so it would be best to call their office and inquire for the schedule on the day that you want to go there. Admission fee is £6.60 for adults, £5.50 for seniors and students and £2.75 for children up to 16 years. Group rates and family tickets are available. Children below 5 years old and disabled visitor’s carer are free.

Conwy Castle

The Conwyn Castle stands majestically on a rock above the Conwy estuary. This dark stoned fortress has an authentic medieval look to it. Rising high above the backdrop of the spectacular Snowdonia skyline, this historic site continues to draw as much attention today as it did during its time. It was built between the years 1283 to 1289 at a cost of £15,000 which was the largest single sum that King Edward spent in building a castle. It was designed by King Edward’s popular military architect, James of St George and was a replacement for Deganwy Castle which was destroyed by Llywelyn the Last. Today, the Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument managed by Cadw and part of the World Heritage Site.

The castle is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 1st April to 31st June and 1st September to 31st October. From 1st July to 31st August, it is open 9:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission fee is £4.80 for adults, £4.30 for seniors, students and children from 5 to 16 years while family tickets cost £13.90. Children below 5 years are free of charge.

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Source by Mary Godago

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Most of us are familiar with St. Valentine, but did you know that Wales has its own Patron Saint of Lovers?

Dwynwen was one of 24 children of the King of Wales, Brychan Brycheiniog of Brechon in the 5th Century. She fell in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but they could not be together. The reason varies between stories- her father had already promised her to another Prince, she wanted to become a nun, or her father simply refused. Maelon grew bitter, and some stories say that he raped Dwynwen. She fled to the woods and prayed that she could forget him.

While sleeping, an angel brought her a potion. After she drank it, Maelon turned to ice. Dwynwen prayed to God for three wishes: that Maelon be thawed, that God would watch over true lovers, and that she would never marry and devote her life to God. The wishes were granted. She settled on Ynvs Llanddwyn, founded a convent, and became a nun.

The site of her church became a place of pilgrimage. Visitors would often leave offerings, making it the richest area during Tudor times. Her holy well, Ffynnon Dwynwen, was said to indicate lovers’ destinies. A woman would scatter breadcrumbs in the well and then lay her handkerchief on the surface. If the eels in the well disturbed the handkerchief, then her lover would be faithful. The ruins of the Llanddwyn chapel can still be seen today.

Saint Dwynwen was the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers and Sick Animals. Saint Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated on January 25th.

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Source by Rauncie Kinnaird