A chat with Halen Môn / Anglesey Sea Salt
We were lucky enough to meet Jess at Halen Môn, to talk all things North Wales and hear a little more about how they make the best sea salt in the world. Halên Mon is located in the southern part of Anglesey on the Menai Strait. Book yourself onto one of their ‘excellent’ TripAdvisor rated tours, enjoy a relaxing Wild Seaweed Bath, or visit their outdoor cafe for one of their famous Campfire Lattes.
So without further ado please read on to hear about Jess’s favourite spots in North Wales.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
I’m here with Jess from Halen Môn (Anglesey Sea Salt) and we’re going to talk all about North Wales. Some of their salts have been used in the White House by Barack Obama and it’s even gone to the London Olympics. Is that right?
Jess
Absolutely.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Fantastic. Well, we’re going kick off – what is your favourite place in North Wales, where do you enjoy going to the most?
Jess
That is the million dollar question! I think one of them has got to be Ty Coch, the amazing pub on the Llŷn peninsula which is only accessible by walking to it. It is just absolutely magic because it’s right on the beach and you can have a swim whilst you have your pint.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Agreed! I’ve heard it’s voted one of the best five pubs in the UK.
Do you have a hidden gem that people might not know?
Jess
There is an amazing hidden old Victorian brickworks called Porth Wen and it’s not that accessible, it’s a bit of a scramble to get that down so not ideal if you have a buggy, but it’s an absolutely beautiful place to visit. It’s on the Anglesey Coastal path so that’s all we’ll tell you and you’ll have to do the finding yourself.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Where is your favourite beach to head to in North Wales?
Jess
Funnily enough, I think it’s one I bumped into you before which is Porth Tyn Tywyn, a beautiful beach just outside Rhosneigr which is very popular with locals and a lovely place for a swim. You can see the sunset from there and it’s just stunning.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
It’s one of my favourites so a good choice. Moving onto a favourite restaurant where do you like to go and eat?
Jess
That is also a very good question. I love to go to the little cheese shop called ‘& Caws’ in Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge. It does wonderful cheeses, really good fresh bread and lots of little picky bits which are really good. It does a Friday night dinner which I would really recommend and one of my favourites.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Next up where do you get your fish and chips from and then where do you go eat them?
Jess
We are very lucky to have lots of great chippies, one of my favourites is called Enochs and they have a big emphasis on sustainability which is really nice and they use Halen Môn so even better. I love going there and I also cannot forget The Codmother in Newborough after you pick up your fish and chips you have one of the best beaches in the world just a five-minute drive away – Newborough Beach.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
What’s your favourite walk on a Sunday afternoon?
Jess
I really do love Newborough beach but in the summer it does get really busy so sometimes I’ll stop off on the way to Newborough and there’s a lovely route called Llyn Rhos Ddu. You can park just outside Newborough and still make your way down to the beach if you want but it’s a bit less busy.
What is so great about North Wales and why should everyone come here?
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Jess
I think we have an unbeatable amount of incredible scenery. You wouldn’t know it now as we’re in the rain but we are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We also have some incredible ingredients e.g. Halen Môn (good plug there!) as well as some incredible cheeses, seafood, amazing fruit and veg and generally food grown all over North Wales is top notch.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Finally, can you tell me a little a bit about Halen Môn and what you do?
Jess
We specialise in sea salt, that’s what we’re famous for. We hand harvest every single flake, it’s deliciously pure and clean because it comes from the beautiful Menai Strait, just a field away from where we make it. We also specialise in a huge range of seasonings that bring a massive depth and flavour to your cooking. We are famous for our black garlic ketchup which is delicious, we also have our smokery so we smoke our sea salt and all sorts of different foods to bring that savoury edge to your cooking.
Will (Oyster Holiday Cottages)
Thank you for your time today, Jess. Diolch Yn Fawr
Halên Mon is a must-visit on your holiday to North Wales and they have some brilliant things to get involved with if you make the trip down. Head to their website to see everything they have on offer – https://www.halenmon.com/
Credit drone image Halen Mon: Used under licence with the Development Bank of Wales’ and @welshphotoguy