Bulmer Leisure Holiday Parks - Our Blog & Latest News

26/Apr/2024

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The choice is always yours at Silver Bay, you can relax and enjoy everything that the site has to offer, or you can venture out to pay a visit to the hidden gems of Anglesey and then return home in the evening to enjoy a beautiful Silver Bay sunset. If you would rather stay on site, our idea of the perfect day is one of easy meandering. We highly recommend taking a leisurely breakfast on your terrace whilst admiring the views, followed by a visit to the spa for an energising swim or workout.

When you (and your family if they are with you) are ready for the day, the magnificent Silver Bay beach awaits you also. You can lie back in the sun, make sand castles and play beach games to your heart’s content. It’s almost impossible not to feel refreshed and happy after a day with white sand between your toes, spent snacking on a picnic and swimming (or paddling if you prefer) in the sea. If that’s not enough relaxation for you, you can drop into the spa on your return and get any remaining stress massaged away. Inevitably, after a tiring and relaxing day, cooking may be the last thing on your mind. After a late afternoon nap, you can amble over to the Hay House Bistro, bring the family or your loved one, or just come over alone – you’re always welcome. Get some freshly, locally sourced food prepared for you and served with a smile, the perfect day at Silver Bay doesn’t include washing up, that’s for sure! If you get your timings right, you can be back on your terrace, with a glass of wine, watching the sunset, contemplating your perfect day and delighting on the weight being lifted from your shoulders. Of course, this is just our version of a perfect day at Silver Bay, we believe that all our residents ought to do exactly as they please and enjoy the Anglesey air however they like. One thing is for sure, a day here is a world away from the usual 9 to 5.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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Anglesey is the perfect destination for anyone who fancies great views, friendly locals, and quite possibly the tastiest tea rooms and bakeries in Wales. With that in mind, we’ve put together some of our favourite Anglesey hidden gems for hungry travellers. And we can’t wait to see what you think too.

Giddy Aunt’s Tea Room

Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa and good old-fashioned cream scone? Tucked away near to the coast in Brynsiencyn, this quaint little tearoom hidden gem in a picturesque stone cottage provides the weariest of explorers with delicious fuel. Serving the most beautiful homemade scones topped with truly scrumptious clotted cream and a generous helping of jam, you can’t complain! From the decked patio, the views of Snowdonia sweeten the experience even further. It’s so worth the trip to see Dawn and Brian (the lovely owners), you really won’t regret searching out Giddy Aunts Tea Room on an afternoon jaunt.

Distance from Silver Bay: 25 miles Time: 37 minutes by car.

The Lobster Pot

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Located right by the seaside at Church Bay, The Lobster Pot has been serving the finest and freshest local lobster, crab, mussels, oysters and scallops since 1946. It’s a family friendly place with an incredible reputation for the best seafood imaginable. It’s also a family run business, the grandson of the first owners (who turned their cottage into the café to serve lobster) still supplies the mussels, straight from his boat ‘The Mare Gratia’. The food is beautiful and it’s simply a wonderful place for seafood lovers.

Distance from Silver Bay: 12 miles Time: 27 minutes by car.

Café Neptune

Fresh fish and chips sitting on the pier following a day by the seaside – what’s not to love? Cafe Neptune serves delicious, and we mean DELICIOUS fish and chips. It’s all about the batter apparently, a secret recipe which makes for crispy, non-greasy chips and fish that is fried to perfection. You can sit inside or outside on the pier and take in the view whilst enjoying a good fry up, you could go mad and treat yourself to some fresh mushy peas (not from a tin) too. This is a great, local chippy that does exactly what it needs to with quality and superb service. Highly recommended.

Distance from Silver Bay: 26 miles Time: 38 minutes by car.

Janet Bell Gallery

Janet and her husband Sean moved to Anglesey in 2007 and Janet opened a small studio where she painted and sold her prints and cards. It was an enormous success and Janet moved to the old Lloyd’s Bank on Castle Street in Beaumaris where she and her team exhibit and sell work by new and existing artists. The gallery has won three Anglesey Tourism Awards and is the perfect place for art lovers to visit. You can browse the beautiful work created by Janet and those that she champions.

Distance from Silver Bay: 38 miles Time: 38 miles by car.

Beehive Preserves

Beehive Preserves (aka the Anglesey Jam Factory) at Nanner Farm has been making the finest preserves in Anglesey, if not Wales, for over 15 years. The farm is tucked away in the countryside where original family recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. The Morello Cherry with Kirsch Preserve is famous in Anglesey and customers have been returning time and time again to restock. You can visit and taste the delicious chutneys and jams with homemade scones, bara brith and sponge cake in the tea shop and purchase the products in the farmhouse shop. A lovely day out for all the family, we advise you to go with an appetite!

Distance from Silver Bay: 14 miles Time: 28 miles by car.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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This Sunday (25 January) is St Dwynwen’s Day. St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and Wale’s Gaelic equivalent to the Roman St. Valentine, who’s day is celebrated worldwide on 14 February. Here in Anglesey, we’re a romantic bunch, and count St Dwynwen’s Day as a key celebration for love and romance. To give a bit of background, the story of Dwynwen dates back to the 5th century, when Dwynwen fell in love with a Prince called Maelon Dafodrill, her father, Brychan Brycheiniog, however, was determined that she would marry another man.

Dwynwen was heartbroken that she couldn’t marry her true love and begged God erase all memory of Maelon. An angel visited Dwynwen and gave her a potion; a potion to take away all her loving memories of Maelon and to turn him in to a block of ice. Dwynwen was then granted three wishes by the angel. Firstly she wished for Maelon to be thawed, secondly that God help all people to find true love and thirdly, he wished that she would never marry. Dwynwen devoted the rest of life to God’s service, founding a convent on the island of Llanddwyn, Anglesey. You can still see the remains of the church on the island today. On the island there is a well, where, according to legend, a sacred fish swims. It is said that the fish can predict the longevity and happiness of relationships. Visitors still go to the well today, hoping that the water will boil, meaning that love and good luck will follow them.

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With St Dwywen’s day falling on a Sunday this year it is an ideal excuse for a romantic weekend away in Anglesey with your loved one. Maybe you could plan a romantic stroll on the Island of Llanddwyn? The tidal island has views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula. You can even visit the well and see if the well water will indeed boil! Or perhaps enjoy reading some romantic Welsh poems or tales of myths and legends in the magical surroundings of St Dwywen’s church ruins. Alternatively, there are many ways to celebrate the day, why not enjoy a meal with a loved one in one of Anglesey’s many romantic restaurants, or why not plan a romantic meal using a traditional Welsh recipe. Lovespoons are also a traditional Welsh gift that are sure to delight a loved one. To further celebrate this day of love, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite quotes about love and romance.

Take a read and share using hashtag #SilverBayLove with that special someone. If you have any quotes which you would like to add, please comment below, or join in the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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There is so much to do on our beautiful island – some activities are well known, others less so. In this series of blogs we intend to advise you of the hidden gems that our residents love and all are close enough to visit from your perfect base at Silver Bay Holiday Village.

South Stack Cliffs Reserve

South Stack is a beautiful small island just off the north west coast of Anglesey. The historic South Stack Lighthouse adorns the coast and is open to visitors for a tour of the engine room and the exhibition area. You can then climb to the top of the lighthouse and take in the truly spectacular view. The cliffs that line the 400 stone steps down to the footbridge that accesses the lighthouses are a walkers dream. The view is stunning and the air is fresh, you can observe thousands of breeding seabirds including puffins, razorbills and guillemots.

The Harbourfront Bistro at Holyhead

The Harbourfront Bistro is a family run, fully licensed restaurant and bar perched on Newry Beach, where at high tide the sea stretches to reach the underneath of the restaurant deck! Inevitably the view across the sea is wonderful, however it isn’t the only attraction. The food is outstanding! Enjoy Anglesey rump steak, lamb shank and burgers procured from the local butcher. The team work hard to provide the best possible dining experience and they nail it every time. That’s why it is a truly brilliant hidden gem.

Aberlleiniog Castle

Anglesey Aberlleiniog Castle is a little known ancient monument at the bottom of a woodland nature reserve near Penmon. Built between 1080 and 1099 by the 1^st Earl of Chester, its history is rich and varied; Norman overlords, Welsh Princes and Viking raiders have all paid visits for different reasons! See for yourself the location of a great siege in 1094 where 124 Norman defenders died in battle. Surrounded by natural beauty, the castle is free to visit and is open all year round. This secret castle fully deserves a mention as a ‘hidden gem’.

Silver Bay Beach

Silver Bay Beach is a hidden gem to the general public, but is the jewel of the Silver Bay Holiday Village crown and freely open to our residents. The golden sand stretches along the coast, leaving everyone who steps upon it with a feeling of freedom and relaxation. It boasts a Green Coast Award and is recommended officially by the Marine Conservation Society. The sea itself is perfect for swimming, fishing, sailing and surfing. Even in the winter months, our residents take a ‘refreshing’ dip! All of this natural beauty is on our doorstep, and we couldn’t be more proud of our private slice of heaven.

Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens

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These ‘hidden’ gardens are an open secret amongst the good people of Anglesey. Situated close to the Menai Bridge, this restoration project introduced a spectacular transformation with the gardens restored to their former glory. Covering 10 acres, there is plenty to see and enjoy. There are three gardens to enjoy including a secret valley garden with a river and three waterfalls. Also, there is an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and lastly, an unusual walled garden with curved walls and a pool. The traditional tea room is there for you to enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake, whilst you sit back and let your eyes feast upon your beautiful surroundings.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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Rain lashing down, post-Christmas slump, and long, dark, cold evenings – it’s no wonder the January blues have reared their grumpy head for many of us! Here at Silver Bay, we’ve closed down for the season and are eagerly awaiting our lodge owners to return. Whilst we’re in hibernation, we thought it would be nice to inspire and lift you with an insight into the holiday season here at Silver Bay and why it really does pay to holiday at home:

Save money, make more memories

Holidaying abroad can be a rather pricey affair.

With all the extra expense, you’re lucky if you’ve got a few Euros to rub together on your last day! The beauty of having a holiday at home is you can spend as much or as little as you like. Staying in a lodge at Silver Bay requires only that you pack your car with enough snacks and supplies to ensure a comfortable stay for you and the family. There’s no pressure to go out on a staycation, just kick back relax and enjoy the company of your nearest and dearest. When you do venture out, a stroll on the beach with the dog or a trip up to our spa cost nothing, and the memories you make are priceless.

Embrace our rich British heritage

Anglesey is an island filled with rich, natural heritage. Taking the little ones fishing, crabbing, or seal spotting on the coast is a magical experience that will stay with them forever. Seeing the beauty of nature on our doorstep is essential for helping children to understand the importance of safeguarding their environment and also a reminder to adults just how precious it is.

Say goodbye to stress

The build-up to a holiday abroad can sometimes be the reason a holiday is needed! Preparation on top of a hectic schedule can be a nightmare. With a holiday home on your doorstep, if you set off a couple of hours later, or if you’ve forgotten the travel plug, it’s not an issue!

Only a couple of hours from major North West cities, Silver Bay is an easy escape.

Holiday at Home with Friends and Family

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Hosting a weekend for guests in your holiday lodge is a great opportunity for friends and family to get together for a special weekend away. Coordinating a week abroad with more than five is an arduous task. But driving down after work on a Friday and meeting at the lodge is simple. Catch up with your friends over wine and dinner and let the children play safe in the knowledge that they are protected in the grounds of the holiday village. Spend some quality time with family and friends – these are precious memories that can be made time and time again.

Boost the UK’s economy

When you invest in a holiday home in the UK, you are directly boosting the UK economy. A recent report from Barclays shows that Britons who holiday in the UK will contribute £108bn to the economy by 2017, which will help the hospitality and leisure sector to grow by more than a quarter in the next four years. This is excellent news for the recovering UK economy as the UK’s ‘Staycation Nation’ shows their support. What’s better still, the more you invest in the UK economy, the more growth you will see. This means more restaurants, more activities and more memories to be made for all the family. Now, if we could just sort out the small matter of sunshine, we think we’d be pretty sorted!

If you have any further reasons to staycation to add to our list, join in the conversation on Twitter, @SilverBay_ using hashtag #SilverBayDays. If we haven’t yet convinced you that a ‘Staycation’ is better than staying abroad, let us know too! Comment below and let’s discuss.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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There’s nothing better than braving the elements with a bracing winter’s walk or cycle by the coast. What’s even better? Finding yourself (inexplicably) warming your bones in one of the traditional country pubs in Anglesey. What better way to reward yourself, we say! A cosy inn or tavern should be the end destination for any traveller; after all, the tavern has been a welcoming beacon for tired wanderers over the years, offering delicious food, warming ale and a cosy fire to toast yourself by.

So if you find yourself on our island over the winter months, and are either discovering it by bike or by foot, here are some pubs where you’ll find the best winter tipples and hearty winter grub to warm your cockles after a long day’s adventure:

The White Eagle

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Here’s one to warm you up a little closer to home, the White Eagle is a Silver Bay favourite loved by visitors and residents alike. The White Eagle welcomes winter walkers with open arms and invites you to kick back and enjoy the comforting, delicious food and selection of quality ales. Alex Timpson, CEO and owner of this delightful Free House, created The White Eagle keeping her dream pub in mind. Alex has done a sterling job in creating a meeting place all the family can enjoy. A trip to the White Eagle is a perfect reward after a walk in the brisk coastal winds where you’ve worked up an appetite.

Walk from Silver Bay: 25 minutes Distance: 1.3 miles

Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay

The Ship Inn is an Olde Worlde Inn set in a striking location right on the shore of Red Wharf Bay near Benllech on the northeast coast of Anglesey. A roaring log fire throughout the winter months is the perfect refuge from the cold outdoors. Here you can enjoy good food and real ales seven days a week. In true fisherman style, you can sample some of the 48 varieties of Whisky on offer. Now that’s a sure fire way to warm you from the cold Irish sea winds!

Cycle from Silver Bay: 2 hrs 11 mins Distance: 24 miles

The Black Lion Inn

The Black Lion Inn is a Grade II Listed, newly renovated 18th Century Inn situated on the North Coast of the island. It was renovated with careful consideration by new owners Leigh & Mari after it lay derelict for a period of about seven years. The Inn includes a cosy bar and dining room in the original part of the building. Plus a modern extension with additional dining area to the rear. If you have a four-legged friend joining you on your walk, dogs are more than welcome to join you in the bar area. This is another quirk which adds to the Black Lion magic.

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Walk from Silver Bay: 3 hrs Distance: 9.1 miles

Bulls Head Inn

Finally, the freehouse bar at the Bulls Head Inn on the South East Coast of Anglesey retains a traditional pub atmosphere with an Aladdin’s cave of interesting antiques and curiosities to feast your eyes upon, an open log fire and solid oak beams. A trip to the Bulls Head Inn is an experience that will give you a taste of Anglesey’s rich heritage. The delicious taste of excellent hand drawn real ales attracts visitors and loyal locals from miles around. The perfect end to a long day braving the elements.

Cycle from Silver Bay: 2 hrs 25 mins Distance: 28.5 miles

We hope that this blog post has offered you some inspiration to make the most out of winter days in Anglesey. There may be a nip in the air, but with beautiful scenery on your journey and a warm pub at the end of it, we think it’s worth it. Do you have any Anglesey drinking and dining gems that we haven’t shared here? Perhaps a family walk that always ends in a nice beer and a bite to eat? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter @silverbay_ and join in the conversation.

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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Here at Silver Bay, we’re celebrating the unveiling of our brand new, multi-million pound leisure complex and the release of our most exclusive luxury lodge development to date.

The Spa, our spectacular onsite leisure complex, has now opened at a cost of £1.6m and provides the complete spa experience; in addition to the private tennis courts, beach and boat park that are already staples of Silver Bay.

The spa facilities include a children’s splash pool, plus a separate 18 metre pool with dedicated lanes for the more serious swimmer or those who are looking for a more relaxing bathing experience. State of the art fitness and leisure equipment including bikes, running machines and free weights are available to use at your lesiure. You can work out with the latest Pulse cardio and resistance equipment and even race against your friends over different virtual terrains on new interactive X Dream bikes. There are free classes in yoga, circuit training, spinning and dance and instructors are on hand to devise personal fitness programmes. The spa offers over 100 treatments and there is a steam room, jacuzzi and sauna. All of the spa facilities are openly available to our residents.

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In our hidden corner of Anglesey, where the coastline is unspoiled and the beach is private, our facilities our some of the best in North Wales. Silver Bay is a haven of relaxation, situated less than two hours drive away from all of the major cities in the north west of England. It is a truly luxurious getaway.

Headland Rise is our latest luxury lodge development, so called because of the prominent position overlooking Silver Bay, affording un-spoilt panoramic sea views and the Snowdonia mountains beyond. The beautiful lodge holiday homes are varied in size, spacious and private, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. We are thrilled that we can now offer these lodges for sale. Prices start from as little as £49,995 for a luxury holiday home. Please contact Jamie Hughes on 01407 860111 or sales@bulmerleisure.co.uk or see what’s on offer at www.bulmerleisure.co.uk

Sam

26/Apr/2024

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Your friends at Silver Bay are getting set for the exciting Caravan and Motorhome Show taking place at EventCity in Manchester.

We’re starting 2015’s adventure at EventCity, where one of our luxury holiday lodges will be available for you to peruse at your leisure at The Caravan and Motorhome Show. Experience more than just a brochure, here you’ll have the chance to stir all the senses when you step foot into what could be you and your family’s perfect holiday getaway.

You’ll find us on the Cambrian Stand, 3-209, to give you a taster of what our luxury holiday lodges have to offer with our expert advisers, Chris and Jamie, also on hand if you have any queries or want to find out more.

One of our current lodge owners will also be spending time on the stand to share with you his Silver Bay treasured memories and what makes this UK staycation destination a cut above the rest. You’ll also be amongst the first to see the product of our multi million pound investment, including The Spa, our luxury leisure complex and Headland Rise, our new development for 2015.

The Caravan and Motorhome Show is a huge event for any staycation enthusiast! With over 300 exhibitors including leading manufacturers, the region’s premiere dealerships and more launches than ever before, this show is not to be missed and we’re thrilled to be involved! With so many products on offer it’s the perfect opportunity to compare layouts, interiors and specifications and to take advantage of first-hand experience of your perfect holiday getaway.

The Caravan & Motorhome Show is the perfect day out for Staycation lovers and UK adventurers. What’s better still, the show offers free car parking, free entry for under 16’s and a free show guide thrown in for good measure. It is also set to be bigger and better than ever in 2015. If you’re a seasoned caravan or motorhome owner or even a newbie, wanting to find out more, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved and to see what the staycation lifestyle is all about.

To book tickets for just £7.50 OR call 0844 873 7349 We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it on the day, follow the day on Twitter at @silverbay_ and on our Facebook page. Show Venue: EventCity Phoenix Way Off Barton Dock Road Urmston Manchester M17 8AS Car Parking: Car parking is free and there are thousands of spaces at EventCity Show Dates: Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 January 2015 Show Opening Times: Thursday: 10 – 6pm Friday: 10 – 8pm (free for visitors from 5pm onwards) Saturday: 9.30 – 6pm Sunday: 9.30– 5.30pm *Booking transaction fee applies; booking closes 14 January 2015 (9pm). Standard advance ticket £8.00; on-the-door £9.50

Our Blog

Latest

A Perfect Day At Silver Bay

Anglesey Hidden Gems And Attractions – Part 2

Giddy Aunt’s Tea Room

The Lobster Pot

Café Neptune

Janet Bell Gallery

Beehive Preserves

St Dwynwen’s Day – A Time To Celebrate Love and Romance

Anglesey Hidden Gems And Attractions – Part 1

South Stack Cliffs Reserve

The Harbourfront Bistro at Holyhead

Aberlleiniog Castle

Silver Bay Beach

Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens

Why It Pays To Holiday At Home

Save money, make more memories

Embrace our rich British heritage

Say goodbye to stress

Holiday at Home with Friends and Family

Boost the UK’s economy

The Best Anglesey Pubs for a Warming Winter Tipple

The White Eagle

Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay

The Black Lion Inn

Bulls Head Inn

Welcome to the £1.6m Spa at Silver Bay!

The Caravan and Motorhome Show at EventCity in Manchester, 15th – 18th January 2015