Beautiful Welsh Grapevines If you think of vineyards and you think of a balmy Mediterranean valley, then it’s time to think again! Because did you know that the Welsh wine industry is booming? Latest figures show that there are no fewer than 17 vineyards dotted across the fertile valleys and plains of Wales, all producing top quality…

A Prince and a ‘copter Here at the Oakeley Arms, we think we’re pretty lucky to live and work in such a fabulous part of the country, but the beautiful coastline and dramatic peaks are not without their hazards. The RAF Sea King helicopters are often a common sight across North Wales as the bright…

Zip it! We are pretty excited here at the Oakeley Arms this week, because we’re bracing ourselves for the opening of a brand new North Wales family attraction. Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry is an exciting new adventure experience that has just opened, a short drive from the Oakeley Arms, at the village of Bethesda. Penrhyn…

X-Flop?  Here at the Oakeley Arms we do agree that the X-Factor is arguably one of Britain’s best loved talent shows. Like it or loath it, since the very first show hit our screens in September 2004 it has inspired tears, tantrums, gossip, controversy, and of course BIG hits. Can you name all 9 of the X-Factor winners so…

Pardon the Bard  We all know that William Shakespeare is perhaps the most famous poet and playwright of all time (we may even be able to recite a line or two if the mood doth take us……. ) but a recent study at a University not far from the Oakeley Arms has revealed lots of things we…

Happy Easter! Gosh! Here at the Oakeley Arms, we can’t believe how quickly this year is flying by! It’s Easter weekend already. And while we’ve been pretty busy here gearing up for the beginning of the hectic summer season, we’ll definitely have time to fit in some chocolate chomping! Because, let’s face it, Easter is great…

Come on Spring!  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It’s a good job we’ve stocked up on logs for the real fires here at the Oakeley Arms because baby, it sure is cold outside! We are now officially into British springtime, so where’s the sunshine? The weather so far this year has been more unpredictable than ever. We’ve had snow, sleet, ice,…

End of an era….. One of Snowdonia’s most well-loved, and historic, bridges is just a short hop from the Oakeley Arms in Maentwrog. Pont Briwet, or Briwet Bridge, provides a quick crossing over the River Dwyryd between Penrhyndeuraeth on the northern side and Harlech on the southern side. The grade II listed wooden bridge has stood proudly across…

What a Weekend for Wales So, who saw the match? Or would it be easier to ask who didn’t see it? We’re still giddy here at the Oakeley Arms, and a bit groggy, as we join the rest of Wales in shaking off the weekend long hangover after the celebrations. And what a match it was. Wales started…

Old Rivals…… It’s nearly time, and we are pretty excited here at the Oakeley Arms….. This weekend is not only the final of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations Rugby Championships, but it’s when our home nation Wales will meet old rivals England for what is set to be one of the most exciting games of the…