Taste Trail Wales – a guide for following this route in 2022
If you're looking for an excellent trail to follow to experience the very best of Welsh produce, the Ceredigion Taste Trail is an absolute must. Despite how great the trail is, and despite how most of the establishments included in the trail still advertising their inclusion, we noticed a real lack of information about the trail online. We wanted to correct that, so we created this guide for 2022.
How do you follow the Trail?
There have been a number of iterations of the trail over the years, and sadly a number of businesses which were included in the trail initially have now closed down. You've still got 17 different places to visit along the trail, all of which are well worth a visit for different reasons.
We've embedded a map here which allows you to zoom in on the location of each establishment we've included in this guide:
Let's look at every establishment along the trail in closer detail:
Cardigan Bay Fish
On the high street in Cardigan you'll find Cardigan Bay Fish, where you can buy locally caught seafood that is processed as soon as it had landed. Their selection includes brown crab, fresh cardigan bay lobster, and spider crab. Learn more here - cardiganbayfish.co.uk
Wendy Brandon Handmade Preserves
In the village of Boncath you'll find Wendy Brandon Handmade Preserves, a lovely little establishment with a very loyal following both locally and beyond. Head here for a variety of preserves like jam (always sweetened with cane sugar) and chutneys, all handmade. Learn more here - wendybrandon.co.uk
Caws Cenarth cheese
When it comes to excellent cheese, we feel that Wales is a very underrated part of the world. Caws Cenarth cheese in Boncath is a great place for artisan cheese, which is all made at the Caws Cenarth dairy at Fferm Glyneithinog. Learn more here -cawscenarth.co.uk
Golwg y Mor farm fresh meats
This funny-looking pink building in New Quay is home to an excellent selection of meats, all from a farm in Tanygroes. Aside from the classic cuts you'd expect to find, you can also find some interesting products here like the flavoured kebabs. Learn more here - facebook.com
Dà Mhìle Distillery
Based on Glynhynod Farm in Ceredigion, Dà Mhìle Distillery is an excellent place to head to for a range of delicious spirits (some as good as the famed Scottish Whiskey). Aside from the shop, you can also join one of the tasting tours held here which is a great experience. Learn more here - damhile.co.uk
Teifi Farmhouse Cheese
Another excellent cheese location on the trail is Caws Teifi Cheese in Llandysul. Their range of cheese is award-winning and is all made from locally sourced organic raw milk at Glynhynod Farm in Ceredigion. Popular products include their halloumi and the Welsh rarebit. Learn more here - teificheese.co.uk
New Quay Fish Shop
A great place to buy fresh fish and shellfish straight from Newquay Harbour. Learn more here - facebook.com
New Quay Honey Farm/Afon Mêl
This traditional family-run honey farm based in New Quay has been open since 1995, and is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. You can buy jars of delicious honey here, but also interesting products like mead. Learn more here - afonmel.com
Llanerchaeron National Trust
Although this location is included in the taste trail because of the great food served here, Llanerchaeron is a gorgeous Georgian villa which is fascinating to visit on its own. However, the food served here at Conti's café is great and well worthy of a place on the trail. Learn more here - nationaltrust.org.uk
Blaencamel Farm
If you're looking for really fresh produce then you can't do much better than visit to Blaencamel Farm in the Aeron Valley. Everything is organic and delicous, as it has been for more than 40 years. Learn more here - facebook.com
Aberystwyth Farmers Market
If you're looking for a bit of everything when it comes to great Welsh food, the Aberystwyth Farmers Market is a great location to visit. Here you'll find fresh produce such as free-range eggs, locally-raised meat and poultry, and even honey. It's a great place to stop along the trail as you'll get a nice mix of food to try.
Learn more about the market here - aberystwythfarmersmarket.co.uk
Sarah Bunton Luxury Chocolates
Many of you will be glad to finally see something a little bit sweeter on the trail! If you're looking for a place to stop on the trail to buy something as a gift, Sarah Bunton Luxury Chocolates is probably your best bet (fish is great but, let's face it, it doesn't always travel particularly well!) The range of chocolates here includes everything from simple chocolate bars and fudge to more interesting products like hot chocolate stirrers. The shop is located across the road from the Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway station and it's great to visit and watch the chocolatiers do their thing.
Learn more about the shop and the products here - sarahbunton.co.uk
Celtic Country Wines
Wales isn't a country which is often associated with wine, but the award-winning offering from Celtic Country Wines is slowly changing that. If fruit wines, sparkling wine and even fruit liqueurs sound like your thing, make sure to pay this shop in Llandysul a visit.
Learn more here - celticwines.co.uk
Nantgwynfaen Organic Farm Shop
Aside from having a name that most non-Welsh people will probably struggle to pronounce, Nantgwynfaen is a farm shop where everything you buy has come fresh from the farm. This includes their own free-range eggs, their own recipe sausages, and even homemade bread. What's more, there is even accommodation here, so if you're looking for a place to stop along the trail then this farm in Llandysul is a great option.
Learn more here - organicfarmwales.co.uk
Bara Menyn Bakehouse & Cafe
Welsh cakes are lovely, but it's nice to visit a Welsh bakehouse which has a more modern offering. Bara Menyn Bakehouse is a sourdough bakehouse serving up a delicious mix of sweet and savoury bites, with everything from almond croissants to focaccia. This is another great place to visit along the trail if you're looking for something to take home with you. The cafe here is also a joy to visit. Learn more here - baramenynbakehouse.co.uk
Glebelands Market Garden
Even if you're not buying or eating anything here (and by this point in the trail, that would be understandable), this 8-acre site near Cardigan is stunning to visit for the views alone. It's also a great place to learn more about growing vegetables and to see some lovely wildlife, including dragonflies and hedgehogs.
Learn more here - glebelandsmarketgarden.co.uk
The Plwmp Tart
We've got to say, this cafe has maybe the best name of any location along the entire trail! Based in an old cart house, this cafe is just a stone's throw from the beach and is a great place to grab a sandwich or a cake. You could even buy a sandwich and take it with you to Cardigan Bay.
Learn more here - facebook.com
What should you be aware of before heading on the Taste Trail?
The obvious point is that you probably won't be able to visit every stop on this trail (unless you've got deep pockets and a big appetite!), so it is worth planning in advance a few of the establishments which seem most interesting to you along this trail, and planning to visit those. This trail also isn't great for vegans so if you're following a plant-based diet and you want to ensure that you'll have food to eat as you follow the trail, it's a good idea to bring your own food with you. We've got guides about vegan cheese, vegan sausages, vegan ice cream, and vegan chicken that you may find useful.
Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to follow this great trail. We've got guides about lots of other trails throughout the UK including the Borders Abbey Way, The Pictish Trail, and the Southern Upland Way. If you prefer to cycle then you could try the Coast & Castles route. We've also got guides about other Welsh locations such as Aberystwyth, St Davids, and Bwlch Nant y Arian.
Happy travels!
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.