Saving the world one meal at a time…

The ‘it’ word of the moment, which you may be bored to the back teeth of hearing is Vegan. We’ve all heard of someone joining in with Veganuary and as the joke goes … how do you know if someone is Vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you! But, all jokes aside, there’s good reason to be vegan. 

One of the most effective things an individual can do to lower their carbon footprint is to avoid all animal products and some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and as well as other health benefits.

It is currently reported that approximately 7% of the British public is vegan, with that figure on the rise we have decided to look into our local eateries to see what does it mean to go green?? We have looked into 5 local eateries to see what is on offer for our health and environmentally conscious friends…

1.) Cadwaladers, Criccieth

 Everyone deserves a treat, especially our mini herbivores, so we were delighted to discover Cadwaladers in Criccieth. This Ice cream and Pizza Parlour has loads to offer the young at heart. With 10 different sugar cream and coconut based ice cream sundaes to choose from as well as 3 types of Vegan ice cream – Vanilla, Chocolate and Salted Caramel PLUS two types of Vegan Sorbet  - Mango and Lemon, your sweet tooth really is sorted here. With vegan pizza, sandwiches, shakes and hot drinks plus loads more on offer, we really have found the perfect place for vegans.
https://cadwaladers.co.uk/

2.) Poachers Restaurant, Criccieth 

With over 430 five star reviews on trip advisor, Poachers certainly is a popular choice, and why should our plant eaters miss out? With a range of vegetarian and vegan options available including bean and roast vegetable chilli, and homemade sweet potato and vegetable curry, you are advised to order ahead here to get the most out of your dining experience. Contact the restaurant directly for a full menu.

01766 522512, http://www.poachersrestaurant.co.uk

3.) Portmeirion Hotel, Portmeirion 

With various vegan friendly options available you have double the reason to eat without meat here as guests (carnivores included) booking a meal in the hotel or at nearby Castell Deudraeth enjoy free access to Portmeirion village (savings of £12 per person). However, you must book in advance with either restaurant.

01766 772440, https://portmeirion.wales/eat

4.) Caffi Bywyd Da/Good Life Café, Porthmadog 

If you’re out and about and hankering for a snack then look no further than Caffi Bywyd Da/Good Life Café. With plenty of lunch options for the whole family, paninis, salads, dahls and various other hot meals are all available at this counter service café.

5.) Voltaire, Bangor 

Now one for the doggo lovers. If you are willing to travel a little further afield then Voltaire in Bangor is your place. A fully vegan restaurant with a fantastic range of options for non-meat eaters or anyone fancying dipping their toe in, you can’t go wrong in here. Everyone welcome including your furry friends. Certainly worth the journey… but don’t just take our word for it.

A special mention has to go out to Vegonia Wholefoods, in Porthmadog. Your local vegan stockist with all sort of animal free produce including an excellent choice of chilled, frozen and ambient foods, cleaning items and toiletries. Great reviews online, and right on your doorstep! 

With all of these fantastic eateries available and so many reason to ditch the dairy, why not try saying yes to meat free Mondays and you never know, it might be you that’s spreading the word next!

Book Now online https://www.garreggochpark.co.uk

What To Do This May Half Term?

If you are still looking for a last minute break away this May Half Term but just can't quite decide on the area you want to holiday in or if you are already booked in to stay with us but are looking for something to do then continue reading to find out about all the fun and exciting events happening in and around the Porthmadog area.

With mountains, castles, beaches and quaint villages there is more than enough to see and do in the area to keep you busy. Below is a list of the events happening in and around the area...

Harlech and the War of the Roses- Harlech Castle- Step back in time and discover what life was truly like in the 1460s and during the longest siege in the history of the United Kingdom.

Dates: 25 May - 27 May 2019

Times: 11.00am - 4.00pm

Normal admission prices apply

Medieval Merriment Weekend- Conwy Castle- Conwy Castle comes to life  with the medieval servants in presence.  Say a prayer in the chapel, try some freshly made butter on some just baked bread or watch the butcher prepare rabbits whilst making stew.  Say hello to the prisoner but watch out he is being guarded or maybe you have an ailment the herbalist will be able to cure??  It’s all held together by the seamstress doing her spinning and weaving.

Dates: 26 May - 27 May 2019

Times: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Normal admission prices apply

Knight Training School- Criccieth Castle- Criccieth Castle are looking for enthusiastic participants to learn the skills of a Knight. 

Date: 27th May

Times: 30 minute sessions from 11.00am to 15.45pm

Normal admission prices apply. 

50 things Llanbedrog- Llanbedrog Beach, Pwllheli- Practise your survival skills on Llanbedrog beach, and tick off some of your 50 things to do. Activities will include den-building, cooking on a campfire and raft building, everything you need to survive on a desert island. A free National Trust event.

Date: 26th May

Times: 12:00-16:00

Porth y Swnt '50 things' Tuesdays- Porth Y Swant, Aberdaron- Activities vary each week during the school holidays. Try bug hunting, creating wild art, making kites, river dipping and lots more. Admission applies. 

Date: 28th May

Time: 14:00-16:00

Pirate Week- Greenwood Family Park- For one whole week Grrenwood will  have a host of swashbuckling events to suit the whole family. Watch daily Pirate shows in the Forest Theatre, Look for clues on the Treasure Hunt and win some booty, Face Painting, Nader’s Pyro Art, Lookachu Body art and Hair Braiding. Also if you come along in your best Pirate gear and take part in their best dressed pirate competition you could win some great prizes! Normal admission prices apply. 

Date: 25th May – 2nd June

Time: 10am-5:30pm

We have limited availability for Monday- Friday 4 night breaks during the May half term. Book now on our website or call us on 01766 512210 to find out more. Prices start from £576.00....

http://www.garreggochpark.co.uk/Caravans-For-Hire.html 

Easter Sales Day

Come down and see us this Easter Sunday for a Fun Family Day out with a FREE Hog Roast, Easter Egg Hunt and a raffle with some super prizes.

The team will be on hand to answer any questions about our Sales Fleet, the Park itself and you will get the chance to meet some of our friendly existing owners.

If you are thinking of buying a holiday home then this is a perfect time to visit Garreg Goch Caravan Park as you will get a sense of it's community, a feel of the Parks atmosphere and a chance to have a look around our luxury Artisan Lodge with hot tub as well as find out more about our other sales fleet that is on park and those that are coming soon. You can have a look at our available plots.

If you are interested in attending then please R.S.V.P to eloise@normanhurst.net.

We look forward to seeing you all there for an eggsellent time!

Free Fun days out in Wales

The best things in life are free, so the old adage goes. Whoever came up with the phrase Had clearly been to North Wales. Sure it has some excellent attractions that do cost - but you don't need loads of money to enjoy some of the very best things to do.

Beach Combing 

We all love a day on the beach and it doesn't matter what the weather is like, it doesn't have to be boiling hot to enjoy a day at the beach in fact if you go Beach combing it doesn't matter what the weather is like at all , Come autumn and winter North Wales can get battered by some fairly hairy storms. They are dangerous but they can throw up some wonderful treasures from the sea, Enjoy the marvelous rolling sand dunes before heading to the sea front and pick out some gems newly washed up - best be careful there's a few jellyfish about as well and remember to always check  tide times,

Gelerts Grave (Beddgelert)

Deep in the heart of Snowdonia, lies Beddgelert, described as the national park’s loveliest village. Follow a footpath along the banks of the Glaslyn lake to discover the Beddgelert’s most famous historical feature, Gelert’s Grave. As legend has it Gelert was the hound of medieval Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great. One day the dog’s master went hunting, when he returned he discovered Gelert covered in blood and his son’s cot empty. Assuming that the dog had killed his heir the furious prince drew his sword and ran it through the animal. No sooner did Gelert let out his dying yelp, than the prince heard a child’s cry. The boy was unharmed and nearby was the body of a wolf. The remorseful father never smiled again and buried his faithful pet at this spot.

Splash out in wild waters

The Blue Pool, Golwern Quarry, above Fairbourne, Gwynedd, is possibly the finest spot to go wild swimming in Wales. This disused slate quarry is not difficult to find and while cold, the crystal clear and surprisingly deep waters are said to be ideal, especially on a hot summer’s day, it makes a lovely picnic spot. There are plenty of other isolated spots around the region to take the dive. But do take care, there are no lifeguards to hand.

                                    

Go Crabbing

Porthmadog Harbour is a popular Hotpot for Crabbing, the kids and adults will have hours of fun and endless enjoyment, trying to catch the crabs, Armed with just a crabbing line, bucket, and bait, you can set out as if you was hunting jaws, 

Dolphin spotting,

No matter how many times you see a dolphin, it’s a daily summer spectacle – you never get bored. Bottle nose dolphins are so common here, in Wales,  you’d be unlucky not to spot one. You’ll also see seals, and maybe porpoises. And if you’re super-lucky, Orcas, Basking Sharks and Whales. Yes we really have Whales in Wales !

Climb a mountain 

Nobody ever said climbing a mountain was easy (and you shouldn’t believe them if they do). But some peaks are far more accessible and manageable than others. If you’re fit, have trekking experience, and are prepared to sweat, really sweat, there are a number of mountains around Wales with attainable peaks. Cader Idris, Moel y gest , Snowdonia, Crib Coch, Cnicht and many more, 

Learn to say.......

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch !!!!

Accommodation at Garreg Goch Caravan Park 

Garreg Goch caravan park is a small family run caravan park  located within a ten minute stroll from Black Rock Sands beach , Garreg Goch Caravan Park is perfectly situated for exploring the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. The park is only minutes away from the harboring town of Porthmadog with its wide array of shops, restaurants & amenities. In addition to the modern, high quality holiday homes available for hire, we also have luxurious and contemporary holiday homes available for you to buy....We have Platinum caravans, Gold and Pet-Friendly caravans and also new to 2019 our Artisan 2 Bedroom Lodge with a Hot tub, We also have caravans and Lodges for Sale,

We now have 4 ways to book a Holiday with us ;

1: Online- available day and night. http://www.garreggochpark.co.uk 

2: Call us on 01766 512210 we are open 9am-5pm Mon-Sunday,

3: Pitch Up- https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Wales/North- … … … 

4.AirBnB......

The Harboring Town of Porthmadog

                                    Porthmadog Harbour

Porthmadog is a harbour town situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and is an excellent base for touring the surrounding area. The town was named after W.A. Maddocks whose ambitious "Cob" embankment scheme led to the town's name, which translates as "Madog's Port". Also know to the locals as Port,  In times gone by, it was a vital, busy shipping port for the international slate trade, brought down from Blaenau Ffestiniog. The maritime history depicts its proud past.

Porthmadog shops

Porthmadog , Unlike many towns today, is full of charming little shops  each with character, selling local souvenirs , there are Bakeries selling the local fruit bread 'Bara-Brith', 'Laver bread' and Welsh cakes, locally made

Ice Creams, Bookshops, Supermarkets, Library, Leisure Center,

Cafes, Restaurants  and a local Brewery called 'Purple Moose' who owns the Australian Inn Pub in the town and they also have a shop in town where you can purchase merchandise like Purple Moose Gift sets or T-Shirts etc..   Porthmadog also has an Open air market day every Friday throughout the summer until the end of November, there is plenty to choose from if you want to buy Gifts and souvenirs to take home,

Porthmadog Transport

Porthmadogs Railway station is on the Cambrian coast with passengers services to Pwllheli, Harlech, Barmouth, Machylleth, Shrewsbery and Birmingham, trains call at Porthmadog roughly every two hours, Monday - Saturday with a solitary train stopping in each direction on Sundays during the winter and two additional trains each way in the summer (May - mid-Sept), Porthmadog has a good bus service taking passengers to Criccieth, Caernafon, Bleanau Ffestiniog and many more places with beautiful scenic routes along the way,  The local Taxis are reliable and plenty of them 

Porthmadog Beaches

Black Rock Sands ,Even though the name suggests a dark beach, you wont see much in the way of blackness, Black rock sands is an open long beach with fine sands , it is also an all year  Pet-Friendly,  you can drive onto the beach here, so its a popular spot for picnickers and sandcastle builders, but also for Motor boats and Water bikes which has a special zone designated for them. Ice-Cream vans, Tea/Coffee vans and a Burger bar are all available on this beach,  Black rock Sands stretches for miles and is a haven for beach games or soaking up a few rays. There is a small charge per car to get onto this beach but once paid you can stay there all day

                                       Where to stay ?

Garreg Goch caravan park is just a few miles from Porthmadog , in the small village of  Morfa Bychan by Black Rock  Sands Beach.

We are a small family run business with 40 years experience,

 We have Platinum , Gold, Accessible  and Pet-Friendly caravans and new to 2019 our  Artisan Lodge with Hot tub, We also have a Touring field with 16amp Elec and Water Hook-up, Free WiFi for everyone for the first 24 hours, We also have a fully stocked licenced shop on Park,  a Hub , Launderette and a Dog shower,

If you would like to stay here at Garreg Goch then we now have 4 ways to book,

1: Online- available day and night. http://www.garreggochpark.co.uk 

2: Call us on 01766 512210 we are open 9am-5pm Mon-Sunday,

3: Pitch Up- https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Wales/North- … … …

4.AirBnB.....

Give us a call or drop by and see us !

Garreg Goch Caravan Park

Morfa Bychan

Porthmadog

Gwynedd

N-Wales

 LL49 9YD 

Things to do on a rainy day in Wales

We Can guarantee you a Great holiday in Wales but we Cant guarantee the weather !  

So when it rains , what is there to do ? Well, quite a lot actually.!

There's no need to let the weather put a damper on things, with these ideas, which  are suitable for Families, Couples, Friends... Everyone really.! Come rain or shine !  I have put together some suggestions of things to do. 

Please check opening times etc. with the attractions directly.

 Inigo Jones Slateworks, Y Groeslon.

Take a self-guided tour through the slate workshop and watch craftsmen at work, At Inigo Jones Slateworks you can try your hand at calligraphy and engrave a piece of slate, which you can take home with you,.  There's a variety of exhibits explaining slates history and uses, a cafe and a fantastic shop where you can buy all manner of things made from Snowdonia Slate.

Y Groeslon, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 7UE.....Tel: 01286 830242

Email: slate@inigojones.co.uk

Inigo Jones is 18 miles away from Garreg Goch  Caravan park or 28 min drive

Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy

The Lloyd George Museum commemorates one of Britain’s greatest statesmen of the 20th century.  David Lloyd George was Prime Minister during the First World War, and during his time in office he introduced the old age pension and gave women the vote. At the museum you’ll learn about the great man himself, explore a Victorian schoolroom and dress in Victorian costume.

The Lloyd George museum is situated in the heart of Llanystumdwy, the village where Lloyd George was brought up as a child. The museum itself tells the story ..

 Llanystumdwy, Criccieth LL52 0SH.... 01766 522071 or Email ; AmgueddfaLloydGeorge@gwynedd.llyw.cymru 

Lloyd George Museum is 7 miles away from Garreg Goch Caravan park or 19 mins drive

The Fun Centre, Caernarfon

If the kids are really bored they can let off steam here in a large climbing frame facility housed in an old church - and using its full height. This converted church is a great place for kids to wear themselves out on rainy days. The building is huge, and every inch of space is utilized for fun, fun and more fun! The fun center has two 20ft-drop slides, climbing areas and ball pools, plus there’s a separate play area for children under 4 years old, Whilst the children wear themselves out ,why not refresh yourself in there Licenced restaurant which has a wide variety of local produce food on the menu,

Christchurch Bangor Street, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1AR,; 01286 671911

The Fun Centre is 22 miles away from Garreg Goch caravan park or 37 min drive

 Glasfryn Park, near Pwllheli

In dry weather Glasfryn is great for go-karting, fishing, quad-biking and archery – and the park hosts regular farmers’ and French markets where you can pick up a few delicious bargains. But when it’s raining Glasfryn is still a great day out; it has a Tenpin bowling alley, Excellent Farm shop, Restaurant and Indoor soft play area for children, everyone can get involved!

 Y Ffôr, Pwllheli LL53 6PG ; 01766 810000, Email ; info@glasfryn.co.uk

Glasfryn Park is 15 miles away from Garreg Goch Caravan park  or 32 mins drive

Bounce Below, Zip World Blaenau Ffestiniog

Trampolines are great fun in themselves. When you place huge suspended trampolines inside an underground Victorian slate cavern, you find quite possibly the most unique activity in the world. Located in the same area as Zip World Titan, if the weather is good you can knock off two of the most incredible activities in North Wales, 

 Zip World Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3NB, 012480601444, 

Bounce Below is 14 miles away from Garreg Goch or 14 mins drive 

Or Just get Wet !

f you can’t beat ’em, join ’em – in wet weather you could just pop on a wetsuit and try your hand at some watersports. There are dozens of water sports centres in Snowdonia where you can have a go at kayaking, canoeing, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, diving and white water rafting. One of the best-known watersports centers in Snowdonia is the Tryweryn National Whitewater Centre near Bala, but there are many others in the region, like the Hafan Pwllheli Marina and the National Watersports Centre, Plas Menai, Caernarfon.

Where is Garreg Goch caravan park?

IGarreg Goch caravan park is also located within a ten minute stroll from Black Rock Sands beach , Garreg Goch Caravan Park is perfectly situated for exploring the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. The park is only minutes away from Porthmadog with its wide array of shops, restaurants & amenities. In addition to the modern, high quality holiday homes available for hire, we also have luxurious and contemporary holiday homes available for you to buy....

We now have 4 ways to book a Holiday with us ;

1: Online- available day and night. http://www.garreggochpark.co.uk 

2: Call us on 01766 512210 we are open 9am-5pm Mon-Sunday,

3: Pitch Up- https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Wales/North- … … … 

4.AirBnB......

If you would like to visit the

Why You Should Book Our Platinum Lodge

This season on Garreg Goch Caravan Park we are introducing a new range of luxury accommodation that will make your holiday extra special without breaking the bank. The Platinum Lodge is affordable luxury meaning that you too can holiday like the best of them.

Our two bedroom Platinum Lodge sleeps up to 4 people with a spacious master room with a king size bed and en-suite shower room. The twin room has comfy beds and a spacious wardrobe and is larger than an average twin bedroom making it ideal for sharing with friends or family. The Platinum Lodge also includes a large family bathroom with walk in shower.

The main area of the Artisan Lodge is the open plan Kitchen-Diner/ Living Room. The room is spacious and bright with a contemporary but homely feel. As you enter the room your are struck by it's big windows and modern interior. It is sure to put a smile on your face. This area is ideal for spending time with your family, plus the well equipped kitchen is big enough for all the family to get stuck in with making dinner. The kitchen/diner includes a large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, 5 ring hob, wine cooler and dining table with chairs. Included in the living room is a 43" Smart TV with Bluetooth sound bar.

Included in the price is a large decking with hot tub, bed linen and towels and super fast WiFi.

Prices start from as little as £420 per week during low season, £718 per week during mid season and only £935 per week during high season.

So if you are thinking of staying in the UK for your holidays this year and leaving the stress of travelling abroad behind then book our Platinum Lodge today. The lodge is suitable for holidays during every season with central heating and double glazing for the colder months and Al-fresco living for the warmer days.


Visit our website for more information www.garreggochpark.co.uk
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