Overview
Hill sheep spend their year on ground like Cwm Idwal, the mountain valley where this day begins. Down in Dyffryn Ogwen, Anna Pritchard farms a small mixed flock and weaves the farms' ear-notch marks into her cloth. Over on Anglesey, Y Cwt Caws makes goats' cheese by hand near Dulas, and at Four Mile Bridge the Parry family sell milk within hours of milking.
None of it is staged. These are working businesses, and the doors open because we know the people who run them. You hear about the farming year from the farmer, with the animals in front of you and the economics said out loud.
A working smallholding in Dyffryn Ogwen
Anna Pritchard farms a smallholding in the Dyffryn Ogwen valley with her husband and young family, one of the oldest farming families still working this valley. The flock is small and mixed: New Zealand Romneys, speckled hill sheep and Texels. Sheep are the main business, and you get a close look at how a small hill farm runs, from the people running it.
Anna knows this landscape and its farming as few people do, and she is respected for it well beyond the valley, as her work for Snowdonia National Park shows. It's rare to be walked round a working smallholding by someone who knows it that well and is happy to take the time to explain what you're looking at.
Alongside the farming she is a textile designer, weaving fabrics and blankets for the home and vivid silk scarves from a studio looking out over the foothills of Snowdonia. The two do not stay separate for long. Her designs record the ear notches of the Dyffryn Ogwen farms: a series of cuts made in a lamb's ear so that a farm can pick out its own sheep on gathering day, when several farms bring the mountain in together, and given only to farms with the right to graze there. The small scissors running through the patterns are the ones that cut them.
The slate pillars that stand all through the area, the wildflowers she catalogued in a scrapbook as a child, and the newer machinery of modern farming all turn up in the cloth, held together by colour drawn from the dramatic seasons we get here in Wales.
Llefrith Cybi, Four Mile Bridge
On Holy Island, the Parry family have farmed at Hafod y Plas for four generations. They keep around a hundred dairy cows, and since 2023 they have had their own milk shed: a self-service vending machine selling fresh whole milk and milkshakes straight from the farm, often within a few hours of milking.
We go beyond the vending machine, with a tour of the working farm and the parlour where the cows are milked, and a proper look at how a small independent dairy runs day to day. Afterwards there's a milkshake, a coffee or a hot chocolate and a slice of cake at the picnic benches looking out over the farm, and often a friendly cow to say hello to. It's a small taste of Anglesey farm life, a long way from the supermarket shelf.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Group size
- Up to 7 guests
- Vehicle
- Mercedes V-Class
Includes
- Expert bilingual local guide
- Travel in a Mercedes V-Class
- Daily pick-ups & drop offs
- Fully customisable
Excludes
- Flights, transfers and accommodation
- Food and drink
- Entry fees to attractions
- Food & drink
- Heritage & culture
Itinerary
Mountain, smallholding, creamery, dairy
Up to Cwm Idwal first, to see the mountain grazing from the ground itself, then down to Anna's smallholding in the valley below and her studio looking out over it. Across the Menai for goats' cheese at Y Cwt Caws, and the day ends in the milking parlour at Llefrith Cybi, where the Parry family have farmed for four generations.
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Wales's oldest nature reserve, a dramatic hanging valley and lake
A hanging valley and lake under the cliffs of Glyder Fawr, Wales's first National Nature Reserve, where Darwin came in 1831 and only later realised he had been looking at the work of glaciers. The legend is darker: Idwal, a prince's son, was drowned in the lake by his guardian, and no bird, they say, has flown over it since. The circuit of the lake is about three miles from the Ogwen car park. -
Local designer weaving in the tradition of the Welsh blanket
A local textile designer working in the tradition of the Welsh blanket, whose woven pieces draw on the patterns and colours of North Wales. A chance to see the work at first hand and learn about the craft behind it. -
Artisan goats' cheese made on a family farm at Dulas, Anglesey
A family creamery on the farm at Cors yr Odyn near Dulas, making goats' cheeses by hand from their own mixed herd of Saanen, Toggenburg and Alpine goats: Ffetys, a feta-style salad cheese, Môn Wen, a Camembert-style, a hard cheese and soft cheese balls, several of them Great Taste award winners. -
Anglesey dairy farm making ice cream, with tours from the farmer
Located in Fourmile Bridge on Anglesey. Local small farm producing milk, ice cream and selling local food products. Welsh-speaking owner Mei is happy to meet visitors and offer a short tour around the farm.
What guests say
For all you TripAdvisor researchers, like me, searching for best experience and tour guide in Wales…search no more. John Pritchard, owner of Celticos, is the best-of-the-best and saw to our every need and desire during our recent visit.
John is truly exceptional. Proud of his heritage and culture, he is on a mission to show off his country. He is so knowledgeable about all things Wales. He ensured that we visited all the famous and scenic tourist destinations, but he also adapted each day of touring to US. My husband wanted to golf . . . John advised us on best locations and took us to golf courses. We wanted to pick up a British football (soccer) match, he sets up a tour in Wrexham. We wanted to see the culture, he takes us to a sheep farm/weaver, pubs, local fish & chips and coffee shops. We want to run over to Liverpool (his favorite city outside of Wales), he sets up a tour there which would include seeing the famous Beatles sites. And more. Very good communicator ahead of and during the trip. He gives so much thought into every aspect of our experience . E.g. upon arrival, he welcomed us with Welsh cakes and delicious cheeses.
On top of his touring skills, he is just an all-around great guy . . . reliable, kind, humble, fun, honest, caring and smart. A wonderful ambassador to his country.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that we now intend to return to Wales so we can explore more and hang with John.
My daughter and I were absolutely delighted with our exploration of northern Wales with John Pritchard. He accommodated our schedule and needs beautifully with personalized service. Despite rather nasty weather for much of our day with him, he rolled with it and provided a wonderful tour, a huge amount of historical information, and great Welsh music - plus delicious, fresh milk right off the farm! If you're planning a trip to Wales, Celticos is definitely the way to enjoy it. I wholeheartedly recommend Celticos!
Frequently asked questions
- Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. Every tour we run is customised, so treat this itinerary as a starting point. Tell us what interests you and we will build the days around it.
- Can this tour be combined with other tours, or made longer or shorter?
Yes. A day tour can be built into a multi-day tour, and a multi-day tour can be shortened, extended or joined to another. Tell us how many days you have and we will plan around them.
- Are admission fees included?
No. Entry to castles, gardens and other attractions is paid on the day, where a fee applies. Many of the castles are cared for by Cadw, and we can advise on the best-value tickets when you book.
- Is food included?
No. As we tour we will suggest eating places that our guests have enjoyed.
- What should we wear and bring?
Sensible footwear for some light walking, and a rain jacket, just in case.
- How much walking is involved?
Some, and none of it strenuous: the walk from the car to a castle gate or a viewpoint. If walking is a concern, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
- Where should we stay?
Somewhere central, so that touring time is not spent driving to the start. Our accommodation advice lists places our guests have used, and we are happy to suggest a base for your tour.
