Over the past week or so we ‘staycationed’ in Abersoch. But with local lockdown rules still in place, how did our first post-Covid holiday play out?

We took our mini break midweek (27-30th April). Pubs had luckily just opened on the 26th April, allowing us to enjoy some local hospitality in an outdoor space. This also made our plans very weather dependent. The rain managed to hold off - just!

The two of us arrived on an overcast Tuesday morning around 11am, unpacked at our self-catering accommodation and headed out to find some food.

Arrive in style

Parking on Abersoch highstreet, we ventured into the newest eatery on the block: Après Sea. Sporting a slick and modern beach shack interior, the vibe was chilled while the service was efficient and friendly. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu offers a wide variety of food. I thought the range was great; with classics like bacon and eggs for breakfast, a selection of ciabattas and posh salads for lunch and a scaled down evening menu for takeaway. I’m excited to see what the full evening menu offers once venues get the full go ahead in May!

In the end we settled for a steak and rocket ciabatta, a fish goujon ciabatta, some soy and ginger chicken wings and chips to share. The food was spot on and reasonably priced. The Après Sea lemon drizzle cake is most definitely worth a try, too.

The afternoon was a chilled coastal walk along The Warren beach, relaxing and chatting the day away with our big jackets on. We were two of maybe ten people on the beach. Bliss!

A pick’n’mix kinda day

Day 2 and the weather was damp and windy but that wasn’t to deter us from exploring the local area. Around a ten minutes’ drive away we found ourselves in Pwllheli, walking through the town and down the promenade to the marina, where you can grab a coffee and see the whole of the main bay. Then back into town for a pick’n’mix at Sugacane sweet shop (we had to really try hard not to buy tonnes of fudge and lollipops).

With our packed lunch calling we drove back through Abersoch and ate our sandwiches on the rocks at Porth Ceiriad, a gorgeous spot just around the headland from Abersoch main beach. It’s a bit of a trek with windbreaks and beach gear, but if you’re just off for a stroll you should check it out. I should say there have also been landslides in the area of recent, so don’t camp right under the cliff-face if you can help it.

Hikes and pizza

Day 3 was my favourite day as it included a big walk and pizza!

Ascending the headland (from The Warren side), we walked to the Iron Man/Tin Man sculpture which gives possibly the best panoramic view in the area. The sun was out which meant we could see right across Cardigan Bay and even to the magnificent Mount Snowden. It really was spectacular and well worth the hike!

Before completing the loop, we made a stop at Llanbedrog Beach Bar for a drink and an ice cream. The bar is under new management (as of March 2020) and it’s a really great atmosphere even under all the current restrictions. Right on the beach front, you can sip on a cocktail while watching the waves roll in. The food smelled delicious too, but we were saving ourselves for pizza so will have to try next time we’re down.

Eating pizza from Crust Pizzeria at Abersoch harbour was how we spent the evening. If you’re a fan of real Italian pizza that’s somehow light and doughy with the right amount of crisp on the crust, you are in the right place. We ordered a tomato garlic bread to share, a pepperoni pizza and a Parma Crust (parma ham, rocket, buffalo mozzarella and cherry tomatoes). They were delicious and come with an even yummier garlic dip. Pizza prices ranged from £4.50 to £12.50, definitely better and cheaper than a dominoes.

The last lunch

If you haven’t noticed, we basically came to walk around and sample the local food on our mini break! So it will come as no surprise that after a nice lie-in, pack up and check out, we headed for a final lunch out before the drive home, on Day 4. I didn’t think we could top the pizza night, but this lunch managed it!

Tremfan Hall in Llanbedrog is one of my absolute favourite places to eat in the local area. You would think with its lavish hilltop setting and standard of food that it would cost a fortune but it’s actually normal restaurant prices. Also, if you like pork scratchings, you will never eat another one again after having them here (I didn’t like them, full stop, until I tried them at Tremfan).

Two cokes, some incredible pork scratchings, two mahoosive burgers and chips all came to £35 and the view from our table (on the terrace) was insane. You can see right over the bay from your seat. The menu is quite an eclectic mix – we went for the classic welsh burger with bacon and the less common chicken katsu burger. Both were yummy and we were full for the rest of the day. Check out the pic below, you’ll be craving a burger in no time!

Our favourite place

Abersoch is my absolute favourite place in the world because you can always make the stay exactly what you want it to be. You can pack lunches and cook, or you can eat out for every meal. You can walk for miles along the coastal path or flop on the beach and not move for the whole day. It can be as jam-packed, relaxed, boozey, romantic, cheap or as expensive as you like.

Overall, our 3-night stay was the ideal length in the current climate. Once the pubs are all open properly and you can enjoy a meal out, come rain or shine, we’ll be back for the whole 7-night stay!

Thanks for reading and feel free to share on social media, with family and friends.

Speak soon,

Charlotte x

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