Image: National Trust.
Caernarfon, the feature county at next year’s Royal Welsh Show, is to hold an upland farming event at the iconic Hafod Y Llan farm near Beddgelert, Snowdonia on Thursday, July 12.
Bedwyr Jones, working committee chair who farms next to Hafod y Llan, said local and national agricultural companies will be invited to showcase their products for upland farming, alongside various other community organisations and businesses.
The committee aims to offer something for everyone, with guest speakers and demonstrations, including sheepdog trials. Additionally, seven colleges providing agricultural education across Wales are expected to bring teams of three students to compete in contests such as fencing, motorbike driving, shearing and stock judging.
Arwyn Owen, Hafod y Llan farm manager, said the farm’s origins date back to medieval times, with the first recorded mention of it found in letters from Llywelyn Ein Lliw Olaf to Edward I in the 13th century.
Early inhabitants depended on the valley’s fertile pastures and natural resources. By the 19th century, Hafod y Llan had become synonymous with sheep farming, shaping the area’s cultural and natural landscapes while supporting the local community.
In 1998, the National Trust purchased the Hafod y Llan estate to safeguard its cultural and ecological heritage. It has since become a model of sustainable land management, blending traditional farming practices with innovative conservation efforts.
Having land that rises from 71 metres to the summit of Yr Wyddfa at 1,085 metres, Hafod y Llan continues to inspire visitors and future generations, showcasing how agriculture can thrive in a harsh, unforgiving yet breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
Anyone interested in securing a stand or a sponsorship package is asked to contact: hfe.dffu25@gmail.com
