Llys-y-frân facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llys-y-frân |
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 St Meilyr's Church |
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 Llys-y-frân
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| OS grid reference | SN0424 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | SA |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Llys-y-frân is a small village in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is located on the southern slopes of the Preseli Mountains. The area also includes a small settlement called Gwastad. A very popular spot here is Llys-y-frân Lake, which attracts many visitors.
What's in a Name?
The name Llys-y-frân has a special meaning. In Welsh, llys means "court" and y frân means "the crow". So, the name translates to "court of the crow". You might see the name spelled in different ways, like Llysyfran or Llys-y-fran.
A Look Back in Time
The church in Llys-y-frân is very old, dating back to the 12th century. It has been changed and improved over many years. This church is dedicated to St Meilyr, a Celtic saint from the 6th century. One of its two bells was made in 1632! Today, it is a listed building, which means it's an important historical structure.
In 1833, about 202 people lived in the area. Most of the land was used for farming. The small village of Gwastad, part of Llys-y-frân, has had a chapel since 1836.
There might have been a wooden castle north of the church. This spot is known as Y Castell, meaning "The Castle". However, building the reservoir dam might have destroyed any remains.
A famous person from Llys-y-frân was William Penfro Rowlands (1860-1937). He was a teacher and a composer.
Llys-y-frân Lake and Dam
The Llys-y-frân dam was built between 1968 and 1972. It created a large lake that covers about 212 acres (86 hectares). The lake and the surrounding area make up a Country Park of 350 acres (140 hectares). Welsh Water manages this park.
The dam is 100 feet (30 meters) high. The River Syfynwy (or Syfni) feeds the lake. This river also feeds another reservoir upstream.
In 2008, a new system was added to make electricity from the water. It produces about 26 kilowatts of power. In 2017, Welsh Water planned to invest £4 million to improve the park. After some delays, the new outdoor activity center and park finally opened in 2021.
Fun at Llys-y-frân Lake
Llys-y-frân Lake is a great place for outdoor activities!
- Walking and Cycling: There's a 6.5-mile (10.5 km) path around the lake for walkers and cyclists. You can also find a shorter 1.5-mile (2.4 km) family trail. You can even rent bikes there!
- Fishing: The lake is a popular spot for fishing in South West Wales. It has hosted big fishing competitions. You can fish with flies or bait, from the shore or from a boat. The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout.
- Water Sports: You can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, rowing, and canoeing on the lake. Equipment is available for rent. The lake has also hosted the Welsh Dragon Boat Championships several times.
- Motor Sports: The Swansea Motor Club holds an annual event called the Llys-y-frân Hillclimb here.
