CLEDDAU WATERWAY – FOOD

Pembrokeshire is known as the garden of Wales, with healthy agricultural products, a mild climate and good soil.

The rolling pastures of South Pembrokeshire are best suited to dairy farming, the growing of major cereals such as wheat and barley, for the raising of beef cattle, with the north of the County famous for its upland sheep.

The Gulf Stream warms the region in winter, providing an even climate throughout the year, giving Pembrokeshire a distinct advantage over many parts of Britain. Pembrokeshire is famous for its potatoes marketed under the Puffin Produce, a successful co-operative. Also the County is noted is noted for its cauliflower, calibers and purple sprouting broccoli, celery and fancy lettuces, when the land is not prone to frost, being bathed with the mild Atlantic breezes.

Low fat meat for health conscious customers is provided by continental breeds such as Charolais and Limousin, not forgetting the well bred traditional breeds of cattle, particularly Welsh Black, which is much sought after for its juiciness and flavour. Textel sheep are well known in the region being low in fat, and most agreeable to customers. Preseli lamb is famous the world over, produced from mountain sheep wuth a diet of healthy herbs, resulting in a complex and delicious flavour.

Pembrokeshire is a County particularly rich n dairy produce, providing the creamiest of butter, farmhouse cheeses and ice-cream, all manufactured in abundant quantities in the County. Many of the farmhouse cheeses produced in Pembrokeshire rival any produced on the Continent. 

Poultry and Game is also well represented from free range chickens, geese and Gressingham ducks to turkey, quail and pheasant.

The County is well served also with high quality egg producers.

The Seas along the 186 miles of the coastline of the County are home to bass, turbot, lemon sole and halibut. There is also no shortage of shellfish with lobster, crab, prawns, sewin and squid. Pembrokeshire rivers flow with, the Eastern and Western Cleddau rivers abounding with salmon and trout.

Honey, soft fruit for jam, sweet chutneys and tea time treats are all produced in Pembrokeshire, being a haven for those with a sweet tooth. Those relishing the delights of a Cruise Ship’s menu, without leaving shore, need not look any further than the County’s many restaurants. Apples, strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries all abound. Home made fudge is produced to make excellent fudge cakes. Honey is produced here in Pembrokesire with flavour dependent on the Spring blossoms of the hedgerows, and coastal flowers and fauna.

Water is a fresh and clean as the air in the County, making Pebrokeshire water a highly marketable commodity. There are a number of natural springs in the County, which are drawn on not only for pure spring water, but also being responsible for local alcoholic beverages, both beer and wine. Home grown barley provides the raw material for malting, with some small breweries successfully experimenting with special spices to produce an unique local flavour. Wine is produced in the Lansdsker Borderlands, where visitors and locals alike can sample estate wines, country wines and liqueurs. The fertile clay soil, early Springs and Summer sunshine are responsible for Pembrokeshire wines which are eminently drinkable.

A number of organic farmers have chosen the County as their home, with strict monitoring of one’s land and records to ensure no pesticides or soluble fertilizers enter the food chain. Cereals such as barley, oats and mixed corn are produced as cattle feed, but there are a few organic wheat farmers providing for human consumption. Organic meat is produced, and is becoming increasingly easy to find. Organic milk is provided in great quantity, supplying companies which in turn make organic yoghurts, and cheeses. Finally, remember there are a myriad of organic vegetable growers, supplying the host of excellent restaurants in the County.

Having been introduced to the many and varied food products produced within the County, it only remains to sample the produce, either through the restaurants or by purchasing from the retail outlets some of which are listed below.

Country Markets

Popty Cara -

Tan y Castell –

Y Felin Mill & Tearooms –

Beverages

Cwm Deri Vineyard –

Prince’s Gate Spring Water Ltd –

Confectionery

Pemberton’s Victorian Chocolates –

Dairy

Caerfai Organic Dairy Farm –

Caws Cenarth Organic Cheese –

Llanboidy Cheesemakers –

Llangloffan Farmhouse Cheese Ltd –

Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheeses –

Fish

J S Fishdirect Ltd –

Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs

Pent –Pant Farm –

Meat

Albert Rees Butchers, Uplands –

Bethesda Fresh Farm Meats –

Bumpylane Organics –

Hughes Butchers & Son –

Preseli Gold Sausage Company Ltd –

Welsh Hook Meat Centre –

Welsh Quality Meats Ltd –

Organic

 Bumpylane Organics –

Caerfai Organic Dairy Farm –

Caws Cenarth Organic Cheese –

Llanboidy Cheesemakers –

Llangloffan Farmhouse Cheese Ltd –

Pencugiau Organic Farm Shop –

Poultry

B G Carey & Sons –

Meals & Hampers

Boxes of Delight –

Preserves & Sauces

Brynderi Honey Farm

Wendy Brandon Handmade Preserves –

Retailers

St Davids Food & Wine –

Wisebuys –