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Welshcakes

Traditional Welsh food is a must-try for those visiting Wales on their next UK cottage holiday.

With half of the country backing onto the coast and the other half full of beautiful countryside, it’s no wonder Wales produces some of the UK’s best produce. It is also home to a number of fantastic traditional recipes. From snacks and starters to desserts and treats, there is a Welsh dish for everybody to enjoy after a day exploring magnificent Snowdonia or the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Find below 5 of our favourite traditional Welsh dishes, sure to make your Wales cottage holiday one to remember…


1. Welsh Rarebit

Welsh Rarebit

What it is: Welsh rarebit is often compared to cheese on toast but it’s so much more than that! A true comfort food Welsh rarebit combines cheese, mustard, beer and flour to make a tasty topping for thick-cut, rustic Welsh bread. Easy to make and easily found in many Welsh eateries, this dish is a must for anyone looking for a hearty Welsh breakfast.

Where to find it: Caffi Florence in Loggerheads Country Park is one of the best cafés in North Wales, serves a fantastic Welsh rarebit with home cooked ham for just £6.95. Perfect for a late breakfast or brunch, this Welsh rarebit is a real treat for anyone in the area. Use our North Wales Travel Guide to make your visit one to remember.

Make it yourself: Visit BBC Food for a fantastic Welsh rarebit recipe that serves four people and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

2. Welshcakes

Welsh cakes

What it is: Welshcakes are delicate little cakes which can be eaten at any time of day. Traditionally cooked over a bakestone, they are now more commonly cooked on a griddle for just two to three minutes each side. Welshcakes are filled with dried fruit and a mixture of spices which normally include nutmeg, sugar and ginger.

Where to find it: Cwmni Cacen Gri in Betws-y-Coed is famous for its traditional Welshcakes served fresh from the griddle. We would highly suggest stopping by and treating yourself to a hot Welshcake and tasty traditional Welsh tea.

Make it yourself: Good Food have put together this tasty recipe for Welshcakes which is sure to impress your friends and family. The recipe makes 16 Welsh cakes and takes around 20 minutes from start to finish.

3. Cawl

Welsh Cawl

What it is: Cawl is a traditional Welsh stew made with lamb, leeks and root vegetables, usually potatoes, carrots and swede. Each region in Wales has its own take on cawl so although the core ingredients stay the same, you should see the addition of other seasonal veg and possibly even bacon as you travel around the country.

Where to find it: The Plash Inn in Whitland is part of Discover Carmarthenshire’s Cawl Crawl and serves up a truly tasty cawl full of flavour! Our guide to Wales will ensure that your visit is an unforgettable one.

Make it yourself: This fantastic recipe from Loved Earthy Locally is sure to warm you up on a cold day. Packed full of goodness this recipe will serve six people and takes around three hours to cook.

4. Bara Brith

Bara Brith

What it is: Translated, bara brith means ‘speckled bread’ although the issue of whether bara brith is a bread or a cake is wildly debated across Wales. As bara brith is traditionally made with yeast, packed full of dried fruit and spice, and served with salted Welsh Butter, we’re going to say it’s most definitely a bread!

Where to find it: Treat yourself to a Welsh afternoon tea at Caffi Gwynant within Snowdonia and along with an array of other delicious treats, you’ll also receive a slice of their mouth-watering bara brith with Welsh butter.

Make it yourself: For a tasty bara brith loaf that will cut into 10 slices, we would suggest this recipe from Good Food. Ready in just one hour and 40 minutes, this bara brith is best served with traditional Welsh salted butter.

5. Glamorgan Sausage

Glamorgan Sausage

What it is: A favourite amongst vegetarians, Glamorgan sausage is a cheese and leek mixture coated in breadcrumbs. Traditionally made with Caerphilly cheese, Glamorgan sausages can actually be made with any crumbly white cheese and are fantastic when served with pickle.

Where to find it: The Hayloft Restaurant at the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre near Conwy serves a fantastic Glamorgan sausage as part of their lunch time menu. Stuffed with wholegrain mustard and Aberwen cheese, the sausages are a favourite for many customers.

Make it yourself: The Guardian have put together a fantastic recipe for homemade Glamorgan sausages. This recipe will make six and should be ready in about 45 minutes.


Image credits: Welsh Rarebit by Global Panorama – CC BY-SA 2.0Welsh cakes by zingyyellow – CC BY 2.0Cawl by Diadoco – CC BY-SA 2.0Bara Brith by zingyyellow – CC BY 2.0Glamorgan Sausage by jill, jellidonut… whatever – CC BY-SA 2.0


Book one of our Welsh holiday cottages to fully experience this wondrous country and discover plenty of things to see and do in Wales.

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