About Canolfan Y Fron
The small village of Y Fron nestles below “Elephant Mountain”, in the heart of Snowdonia just 6 miles south of Caernarfon. Originally home for workers in the surrounding slate quarries, the village lies close to parts of the UNESCO Wales Slate World Heritage Site, and is crossed by the historic Pilgrim’s way and the UNESCO Slate Trail. It lies within easy reach of the mountains, the sea and the centres of Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Pwllheli and Bangor. It offers a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and is perfectly located for a Snowdonia holiday.
Canolfan y Fron sits in the centre of the village and is the perfect base from which to explore this rich and varied region. Much more than just a village shop, we offer fully accessible accommodation and an onsite café. There is also a hall available to hire for private functions.
CEGIN FRON
Please click on the Café Tab for up to date news
SIOP FRON
Winter opening 09:00 – 17:00 Daily (Sunday 11:00 – 16:00)
Siop Fron is now selling alcoholic drinks
LLETY ACCOMMODATION
Our unique visitor accommodation is available for groups of up to 18, or for individuals and families. The accommodation comprises four stylish and comfortable ensuite rooms, with a shared community area including a kitchen. One of these rooms is fully accessible.
Canolfan y Fron has a laundry available for use by guests staying in the Llety and the local community alike. It has both washing and drying facilities. To use the laundry, please call in at the shop where you can purchase tokens for use in the machines.
Electric car charging points are available, cost £6 per hour. Please ask in the shop.
You can make bookings on this web site, by calling 01286 880882 or emailing [email protected] or through Booking.com, Expedia or Airbnb where you will find the Llety by searching for accommodation in Upper Llandwrog.
THE THREE SCULPTED PANELS
Owen Evan Roberts (1892-1944) was a slate quarry worker from y Fron. He attended Ysgol Bron y Foel and worshipped at Capel Cesarea every Sunday. He married Frances and they had 8 children, 7 of whom grew to adulthood. In Pen yr Orsedd quarry, he was known affectionately as ‘Now’r Iard’. He drove the ‘American Devil’, the first steam shovel in the area.
His hobby was carving slate, and he became famous for his sculptured panels. The designs were created by the Art Master at the local Grammar School in Penygroes. In the shed behind his small terraced home, he would carefully bring these to life by hand carving the unforgiving slate with a variety of tools, achieving incredible details, sometimes using a tiny hammer and a small nail. The sculptures were then polished and the drama and depth heightened by lightening certain areas with slate dust and darkening others with linseed oil. He was an amateur, but the sculptures are technically accomplished and the designs reflect the art deco style of the time.
He carved three large slate panels in the 1930s, all of which won prizes at the National Eisteddfod. The first two panels remain in the possession of the family and have been loaned to Canolfan y Fron. The third one is missing, although a photo and a full size copy of the original design in installed at the centre.
Come and see the panels for yourself, they are on permanent display at Canolfan y Fron. Searches for the missing third panel in 2022 have so far failed to discover it’s whereabouts so if you can help with the search, we would love to hear from you. We only want to know where the panel is and that it is in safe keeping.