Pwllfanogl Beach, Mill and Slate Works
The area of Pwllfanogl is a former hamlet or small community on the shores of the Menai Strait between the Britannia bridge and the stately home Plas Newydd.
This place was once a thriving industrial community with slate works, corn mills and even a small ship building yard.
Pwllfanogl Beach
The nicest area of beach along this stretch of Anglesey coastline is found to the right of the old jetty which has lots of old slate waste in it.
The beach is mainly course sand which gradually turns to stones and rocks and is backed by beautiful Oak and Pine trees.
There is a path that goes along the beach towards Plas Newydd but comes to a dead end as you run out of beach after about three quarters of a mile.
Melin Pwllfanogl Water Mill
The water wheel may have gone decades ago, but its location next to the Afon Braint (Braint River) is a stark reminder of how important this former corn mill was over the years.
Along with the many Anglesey windmills that graced the local landscape to earn Anglesey the name Mon Mam Cymru “Mona the mother of Wales”, the fact that Ynys Mon was so fertile with its dozens of wind and water mills it could produce enough flour for the whole of Wales.
Originally a corn mill converted to slate dressing mill in 19th Century, part of a millstone was found in the lower storey as well as a large quantity of slate waste.
This building ceased functioning as a mill early in the 20th Century, it then became a slate dressing factory, then it was used as a furniture warehouse. In 1990 it was then converted into a domestic residence.
Originally a 2 storey, 3 bay building with wheel pit to the north end, extended to north by 1 bay, then raised 1 storey to form present building. On the 20th April 1998 it was designated a grade 2 listed building along with the stone bridge to the north by CADW.
Britannia Slate Works
One of the occupations of the small hamlet at Pwllfanogl was clearly working with slate, not only is this recorded but still clear to see as the volume of waste slate on and around the old stone jetty.
From 1876 the slate works was receiving slate from either Port Penrhyn, but more probably Port Dinorwic, not only was it nearer, about a mile and a half away, but safer as it avoided the perilous journey through the Swellies.
The slate brought across the Menai Strait was used to make writing slate for use in schools and exported all around the world.
Ship building Yard
During the 18th century the hamlet at Pwllfanogl also had a boat building yard. Its reported that in 1833 a small vessel called Jane and Anne was wrecked near the coastal town of Beaumaris with the loss of all three crew.
It was reported that the vessel was owned by “some poor people at Pwllfanogl”.
Bacon Factory
It is thought that in about 1913 a “bacon factory” opened and started production. In 1916 it was auctioned off. When sold items including a mincing machine, lard press, steam boiler, bone crusher and wrought-iron tracking rails, along which hanging meat was moved.
Kyffin Williams Artist
Former well known Anglesey artist Sir Kyffin Williams chose a very beautiful and quiet part of Anglesey to live in the latter part of his life.
To the west of the river mouth, almost on the shore there is a a beautiful stone cottage called “Min Y Mor” originally this was the “Boat Inn” a former beautiful tavern for the community of Pwllfanogl and nearby houses.
He retired to Pwllfanogl in 1974, the same year that he was elected to the Royal Academy.
Pwllfanogl Anglesey Coastal Path
The Anglesey Coastal Path circumnavigates most of the Anglesey coastline, approximately 125 miles. Section 7 (Beaumaris to Moel Y Don) passes through Pwllfanogl and many other beautiful sights along the Menai Strait.
It is possible that you will pass Nelsons Statue and the Britannia Stone Lions nearby.
Directions
To get to Pwllfanogl get onto the A4080 from the Llanfairpwll toll house, after you pass the small terrace of 3 houses on the left, approximately 150 yards on the left there is a small lane, this is called Lon Pwllfanogl, carry on down this uneven road, you will pass a sign for the Anglesey Coastal Path on your left as you turn into a sharp right hand bend.
Follow the road to the very end until you come to a small parking space for about 8-10 cars by the old slate jetty. Be warned the latter part of this road is very uneven with some quite large pot holes!
Whether you walk or drive to this point you will be rewarded with some amazing views up the Menai Strait towards Plas Newydd, the mountains of Snowdonia and the Majestic Britannia Bridge.
Postcode LL61 6PD. OS Grid: SH530709. If using the What3Words app then use ///smarter.tycoons.mouths
