Latest news with #Dolgellau
North Wales Live
02-08-2025
- North Wales Live
I visited the bakery with queues out the door and it was worth the wait
Apparently, bakery tourism has become quite the trend with people planning excursions across the country in pursuit of the ideal honey bun, loaf or croissant. I can definitely understand the appeal, particularly as we gazed at a counter overflowing with delectable-looking cakes. Read about another award winning North Wales bakery with long queues here. Popty'r Dref Barmouth serves as the smaller sibling to the acclaimed Dolgellau establishment, which earned recognition as one of the world's finest following La Liste's 2024 Pastry Awards. After that triumph, they launched this considerably more compact bakery on Jubilee Road in the bustling seaside town of Barmouth. The coastal resort of Barmouth in North West Wales is reportedly "bouncing back" as a holiday hotspot. House prices have soared dramatically and numerous fresh eateries and shops have emerged in the beloved seaside destination. You can easily understand why the location is thriving when you witness the spectacular coastal panoramas as you navigate the winding road into the charming town. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The expansive beach is flanked by palm trees and there's ample car parking available close to the seafront promenade. The bakery may be compact but it's simple to locate, as you'll spot a line of eager tourists gathering outside, reports North Wales Live. We queued patiently and observed an array of magnificent baked treats displayed enticingly in glass cases and across shelves. This isn't merely any ordinary bakery, as they also offer an extensive selection of hot and cold dishes. Salad boxes for scorching weather or hearty comfort fare like Bala butchered foot-long hot dogs or their renowned Chinese chicken curry. You can order a slice of pizza or enjoy a Sunday lunch option of ham or turkey, served in a giant Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings. Nonetheless, we had come here for the baked goods and boy, what a choice they had. The bakery featured millionaire profiterole pots, filled with cream, caramel and chocolate sauce along with brownies, flapjacks and almond tarts. There were buns galore with Chelsea, Belgium, Custard, Blueberry or even Biscoff variations up for grabs. There were Sourdough bloomers, baguettes or just plain fresh bread trying win your attention in the middle of a sensory overload of crumbs and carbs. We weren't too sure where to start but then I saw an old school classic. I remembered cornflake cakes from the seventies and this delightful cake combined the classic flavors of rich, gooey syrup with the irresistible crispiness of cornflakes. There was a layer of strawberry jam underneath the crunchy flakes and on top of the crumbly pastry casing. One nostalgic bite is all it took for me to fall in love once again. I also picked a 'Pwdin Bara" as it looked a little different to what I have had before. Bread pudding is a traditional cake, and was called "poor man's pudding" at one pint of time, as it was an inexpensive easy way to use left over bread. Kind of perfect for a bakery. The bread pudding was packed with spice, fruit, ginger and cherries. It tasted a bit like a cross between bara brith and a Parkin cake. It was very moist and very morish. One of the bakery's top sellers and a draw for bakery tourists is their renowned honey bun. Honey buns are crafted from a yeast-based dough that is fried, giving it a unique texture. It's essentially an iced bun, but with a sweet honey glaze instead. It was pleasant, but I'm not certain about journeying halfway across the country for one. Finally, we couldn't resist the mint aero tray bake. I'm fairly certain it gave me a cheeky wink. The cake was a massive chunk of chocolate, crushed biscuits and mint bubbles. It had a satisfying bite and crunch with a zingy aftertaste of mint chocolate. The thick and fudgy filling was divine and I proclaimed that I would likely travel across the country for this chocolate mint slice of heaven. That's the beauty of cakes; we all have our favourite. We all have our preferred bakery as well. We enjoyed our delicious baked goods by the seafront, with the blue and green hues of the sea glistening in the distance. You may scoff at the concept of bakery tourism, but at this moment, I can't think of a better place to enjoy my cakes. The Facts Price: Cornflake Cake £3, Honey Bun £1.50, Mint aero chocolate slice £3.50, Pwdin Bara £3.50, total £11.50. Atmosphere: Bun appetite! Car Parking: Ample car parking spaces available in the large car park near the beach. Disabled Access: Takeaway only. Service: Plenty of patience from the staff, as we deliberated over which sweet treat to choose. In summary: The prize-winning bakery that's causing a stir with its buns, sparking the latest 'bakery tourism' trend.
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Cambrian News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Cambrian News
Dolgellau faces relegation after 8-wicket loss to Hawarden Park
IT was blistering hot at The Marian on Saturday, a day that saw Dolgellau fall to an 8 wicket defeat to Hawarden Park who are 4th in the League, while Dolgellau occupy bottom place and it is increasingly likely that they will play in Division 2 next season.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Dad turns 1970s private jet into holiday home - and it still has the original cockpit
An Airbnb glamping pod promises to give guests checking in the flight of the they won't even leave the ground. A 1970s private jet has been lovingly converted - after seven months of toil and an outlay of £90,000 - into a cosy self-catering let, where you can explore the cockpit at leisure. The vintage 1970s Hawker - now known as Alaya Airways - is in Dolgellau in Gwynedd, Wales and has only been available to rent for less than a month but is already being snapped up by tourists seeking a mile-high stay that never leaves the ground. Its owner Tamir Ali, 38, snapped up the vintage plane in December 2023 and decided to set about turning it into a two-bed room stay, with guests paying £170 a night. Intrigued by its history as the staff plane of an oil company, and in use for much of the 70s and 80s, he's strived to preserve as many original features as possible, while also ensuring all the things you'd expect from a self-catering stay are there. There's a kitchen with all mod cons, bathroom with shower and even space to enjoy a glass of fizz in a dedicated outdoor area - and its pet friendly to boot. With a 70 per cent occupancy rate already, the property looks set to be booked up for the summer and is described as the perfect stay for families. Adding in a double bedroom, via a cosy cabin, plus wood floors and modern electrics ensures the plane is a comfy retreat. The 1970s private jet, once the property of an oil company, still has its original cockpit in tact for guests checking in at the glamping pod in Dolgellau in Gwynedd, Wales Tamir, who's based in Leicester, said: 'It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. 'It's almost like you're in a normal home. It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of a 70's private jet.' The plane enthusiast describes the plane when he bought it, around 35 years after it was retired, as 'worse for wear' but with plenty of potential: 'There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be.' He said building the plane back up and giving it new life has made for some interesting encounters, saying: 'I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. 'I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street.' The comfy-looking seats remain a cream leather, while the Airbnb owner has given the cabin at the back a modern look, using a bright yellow Ikea daybed and a trendy black matt sink unit. Last month, a Dorset developer's four year battle to turn a tiny garage into an Airbnb was thwarted for a third time. Peter Mullins has tried and failed to get permission to redevelop his 19 foot-wide garage in Poole, Dorset, after buying the property for £600,000 in 2021. A planning application in 2021 to add two storeys to the garage to create a pair of semi-detached houses was dismissed at appeal. Then in 2022, a conversion and extension to create two flats was also refused. And in his latest attempt to redevelop the property, Mr Mullins had sought to demolish the garage and turn it into a dwelling to create a £1million Airbnb to 'make his money back' on the expensive garage. Owner Tamir Ali said the property took him seven months to transform from a 'worse for wear' plane to a glamping pod Plans submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council show the home was set to be in a newly-added pitched roof and would include a double bedroom, a single bedroom, and a dining and living room. The development would take place just a street away from the iconic Sandbanks beach, where famous residents have included Harry Redknapp, chef Rick Stein and Liam Gallagher. But the application was rejected by planners earlier this month, who said the proposed windows would be just 1.65m from a home on Panorama Road - where houses sell for an average of £3,922,500, according to Rightmove.
North Wales Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
New hair and beauty salon opens in Dolgellau in Gwynedd
On the salon's launch day last week, guests were treated to a showcase of L'Oréal's 2025 trending hair colour 'Mocha Mousse'. This was combined with a knowledge-packed presentation. This presentation was given by L'Oréal Colleges' professional lead, Vikki Millar. (Image: Supplied) It detailed the collaboration between the prestigious beauty brand and the college. Lucky visitors were also offered a tour of the facility, as well as free consultations and goody bags packed full of prizes, including selfie ring lights, beauty products, and treatment vouchers. Dr. Siôn Peters-Flynn, the principal of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Menai, officially opened the new addition. (Image: Supplied) After his welcome speech, he handed the mic to Vikki Millar, who detailed how the partnership with L'Oréal helps learners refine their skills and support their career growth. Next up was L'Oréal education consultant Emma Holmes. She works closely with the college's staff and students. (Image: Supplied) She gave a presentation on the trending 'Mocha Mousse' colour, illustrating its application in modern styles using L'Oréal products. This was done with assistance from their hair and beauty learners who modelled their work with clothes sponsored by Dolgellau boutique CoCo. In between tours and consultations, guests were treated to canapés made by the college's hospitality students. (Image: Supplied) These included creative flavours of profiteroles like 'banana and biscoff' and 'chocolate orange'. "We are all extremely pleased with the success of the hair and beauty salon launch in collaboration with L'Oréal," said Eifion Owen, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor's service industries manager. "The facility has been refurbished to match the style and flexibility of one of the top salons in Manchester which learners visited before COVID. "We're very grateful to L'Oréal for our ongoing collaboration which allows our learners to develop their skills to the highest standards, and to CoCo clothing Dolgellau who kindly sponsored our event. "Overall, the launch was a very successful and professional experience for all our learners and guests." (Image: Supplied) The salon, open to the public, boasts a range of hairdressing treatments, including cut, colour, blow dry and perm. It also offers beauty services such as eyebrow shaping, facial massage, file and polish, pedicure and manicure. To make an appointment, call 01341 424 922. The salon is open Monday to Thursday from 1.30-3.45pm, and Fridays from 9.30-11.45am and 1.30-3.45pm.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- The Sun
I turned '70s jet into ultimate Airbnb with two bedrooms, shower & its original cockpit – now I rake in £170 per night
A DAD has revealed how he turned a 1970s jet into an Airbnb rental worth £170 per night. Plane enthusiasts can stay in a 1970s private jet - complete with original cockpit - after a dad spent £90k transforming it into a tiny home. 7 7 7 Tamir Ali, 38, acquired half of a 1970s Hawker jet in December 2023 from an acquittance who deals with "unique features". The plane had been used by an oil company to transport employees through the 1970's and 80's before being decommissioned. It was cut in half with the wings removed for ease of transport. The dad-of-four spent seven months and nearly £90k transforming the jet and turning it into a rental property in Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales. The unique home is complete with two bedrooms which sleeps two adults and two children - and has a fully functioning kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and an outdoor seating area. The pet friendly property has only been on Airbnb for three weeks, but is already at 70 per cent occupancy. Tamir, who restores classic cars, from Leicester, said: "It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. "It's almost like you're in a normal home. "It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of 70's private jet." The plane was "a bit worse for wear" when Tamir first purchased it for an undisclosed amount in December 2023. I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 - the old laminate has vanished but critics say it 'looks cheap' Tamir spent seven months transforming the plane into a quirky holiday home. The restoration and renovation process included replacing the carpets with wooden floors, rewiring the electrics, and getting a custom-made door fitted. Tamir secured a location for the plane in Dolgellau, Wales, and fitted a 16ft by 9ft cabin to it to make enough space for a double bed, kitchen and bathroom. Tamir said: "I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful. "I know a chap in Essex, who said he had something that was up my street. "It was looking a bit worse for wear, the nose cone was hanging off and there was no door. "There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be." 7 7 7 The property is called "Alaya Airways" - named after Tamir's youngest daughter Alaya, five. Alaya Airways - which is technically classified as a glamping pod - is available to rent for £170-a-night. Tamir said: "It's a very very cool experience. "The feedback so far has been good, people seem to love it."
