Fron Goch Garden Centre
Gardening offers a great distraction from work and family demands. Finding a good local garden centre was really important when we were first settling into life in Llanfairfechan over eight years ago and a trip over to Fron Goch Garden Centre came highly recommended. It’s now a firm family favourite.
Fron Goch is tucked away down a country lane in Llanfaglan, just a few minutes south of Caernarfon. It is a regular destination for many local people not just for plants and gardening supplies but in more “normal” times, also for its excellent food, not least, cake! Along with its quality plants, garden accessories and first-class horticultural advice, it also has an award winning coffee shop and restaurant. Combined it all creates a fantastic community hub.
Fron Goch has recently reopened post lockdown and at time of publication of this blog, the restaurant and farm shop are closed. Please check its website for up to date information about opening hours and social distancing.
A local business and community hub
Fron Goch is an established family-run business underpinned by a strong commitment both to its staff and its local community.
Every aspect of this lovely garden centre shouts quality and it is particularly evident through its staff who genuinely enjoy spending time with, talking to and serving customers. Well-trained and knowledgeable, the team are happy to answer any question or query, no matter how trivial it may seem. And customer service is first-rate whether you are buying a hydrangea or a slice of coffee cake.
Fron Goch’s award winning coffee shop and restaurant is much more than just a place to come for a cup of tea. It’s a welcoming and busy destination where you can meet with family and friends and enjoy some excellent good. Set in a warm, well-lit space with plenty of comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, it is easily accessible for disabled customers. There’s a family-friendly and colourful children’s corner where there are plenty of things to do. Staff are happy for you to rearrange tables to accommodate your group. And you can even bring your dog. There’s side access to an outside patio area (complete with water bowl) where you and your four-legged friend can sit.
Family-friendly restaurant
Once lockdown has been lifted and appropriate measures put in place to ensure social distancing, you will again be able to visit Fron Goch’s coffee shop and restaurant for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. The food is excellent with a constant supply of home-made cakes, just-out-of-the-oven scones and freshly brewed teas and coffees. All the food served here is home-made and freshly prepared in Fron Goch’s own kitchens. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are always available.
Fron Goch supports other local businesses by using local trusted suppliers who they know and trust. So, for example, beef is supplied by a local butcher in Caernarfon from stock exclusively reared in Gwynedd and Anglesey. All of the cakes, tray bakes, tortes, gateaux and cheesecakes are freshly made on site. Scones are baked throughout the day and are often still warm when served. Eggs are free-range and sources from Birchgrove Eggs in Aberystwyth. Award winning ice cream is hand made on Anglesey by Môn ar Lwy. Milk is delivered by Llaethdy Llyn.
Learning
As a community hub, Fron Goch also offers opportunities for you to learn new horticultural skills.
Study how to plan your garden, grow your own food, develop new horticultural and culinary know-how. Gardening talks and classes take place every Saturday morning (just £3 which includes a cup of coffee). Little Diggers Club, which aims to introduce children to gardening and nature through fun activities, meets on Saturdays. And there are regular horticultural Masterclasses – visit Fron Goch’s website for more details. Spend time with like-minded people, make friends and learn something new.
Farm shop
Fron Goch is also home to one of Hootons Homegrown Farm Shop, another quality family-owned local business. Hootons sells mainly locally, seasonal produce including fruit and vegetables, meat, cakes and jams and ideally free-range or organic produce from local suppliers. Reducing food miles to food metres. Stock up whilst you are there.
Fron Goch is a quality local business which is going from strength to strength. And its’ success stems, not least, from a huge enthusiasm for what it does. It strives to be a four-way partnership with its staff, customers and its suppliers. It puts customer service high on its agenda which is a must for any successful business. And the team never sit still – they are constantly looking at ways to grow, change and improve.
Now, did anyone say cake….?