Barmouth

Fairbourne - SH 6159 1284

The hills above Fairbourne were a centre for slate quarrying, and many tips remain near Friog and Arthog.
A brickworks wa next to Fairbourne Station, built c1895/6, by Sir Arthur McDougall (more used to self-raising flour than cement) to build his grand scheme of 'South Barmouth'. It was connected to the station by the forerunner of the Fairbourne Railway and had closed by 1949.

Bryn-gwyn slate quarry

Hendre-ddol slate quarry

Hendre-ddol slate quarry

Barmouth - SH 6153 1645

A seam of manganese runs through the hills above Barmouth. This was extensively mined in the 19th century leaving many tips and ruins. One such is Gellfechan with a mine and a ruined farmstead, abandoned in 1959.
At the famous Panorama viewpoint there is a trial level (possibly for manganese) and what appears to be the body of a slate wagon .

Gell-fechan manganese mine	Gell-fechan manganese mine		Gellfechan farmstead
Gellfechan farmstead	Gellfechan farmstead	Gellfechan farmstead	Gellfechan farmstead
Trial level near the Panorama	Trial level near the Panorama	Body of a slate wagon

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine

What's left to see on the surface - SN 8025 7455

There's a lot to see on the surface but if you want to go straight underground - Click Here

Cwmystwyth West

Cwmystwyth East

Crusher House No 1 and Pughs Level

Crusher House No 1

Crusher House No 1

Pughs Level

Crusher House No 2

Crusher House No 2

Crusher House No 2

Crusher House No 2

Crusher House No 2

Cwmystwyth Court

Cwmystwyth Court

Cwmystwyth Court

Cwmystwyth Court

Cottages to the West of the Dressing Mill

Cottages by the Dressing Mill

Cottages by the Dressing Mill

Drainage level East of Level Fawr

Drainage level or culvert

Drainage level or culvert

The Dressing Mill

The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill
The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill
The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill
The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill	The Dressing Mill

Gills Lower Level

Gills Lower Level

Gills Lower Level

Gills Lower Level

Gills Upper Level and the tramway incline

Gills Upper Level

Tramway incline

Tramway incline

Kingside Shaft

Kingside Shaft

Kingside Shaft

Level-y-Fordd

Level-y-Fordd tramway

Site of Level-y-Fordd

Leat and aqueduct

The leat aqueduct

The leat, Cwmystwyth

The leat, Cwmystwyth

A level near the leat

Nevill Place and Old Place

Nevill Place was the managers house and Old Place was originally the barracks for the single workers.

Nevill Place

Nevill Place

Old Place

Ystwyth Level, South Ystwyth Level and other sites

Ystwyth Level	Ystwyth Level	Ystwyth Level	South Ystwyth Level
South Ystwyth Level	The ore bins, Cwmystwyth	The tramway, Cwmystwyth	Cwmystwyth lead mine
Cwmystwyth lead mine	Cwmystwyth lead mine		Shoe from a boot heel or pony

Sluice on Nant Gwynllyn - SN 9316 6976

A sluice on the road from Rhayader to Cwmystwyth

Sluice on Nant Gwynllyn

Sluice on Nant Gwynllyn

Sluice on Nant Gwynllyn

Sluice on Nant Gwynllyn

Inside Cwmystwyth Lead Mine

There's still a lot to see on the surface or if you've had enough of being underground - Click Here

Bonsalls Level Fawr

Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr, Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth
Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth	Bonsalls Level Fawr Cwmystwyth

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine - level 1, possibly Rosa Level

Cwmystwyth level 1	Cwmystwyth level 1	Cwmystwyth level 1	Cwmystwyth level 1
Cwmystwyth level 1	Cwmystwyth level 1	Cwmystwyth level 1

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine - level 2, above Aqueduct

Cwmystwyth level 2

Cwmystwyth level 2

Cwmystwyth level 2

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine - level 3, below Aqueduct, possibly Taylors Level

Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3
Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3
Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3
Cwmystwyth level 3	Cwmystwyth level 3

The Talyllyn Valley from Towyn to Bryn Eglwys

Bryn Eglwys Quarry and Tramway - SH 6936 0537

Open from 1844 to 1948, Bryn Eglwys Quarry was the largest quarry in the area, emplying over 300 men and the main user of the Talyllyn Railway. It was operated by the 'Aberdovey Slate Co Ltd' which became the 'Abergynolwen Slate Co Ltd' in 1867. In 1911 the quarry and the railway were bought by Sir Henry Haydn Jones as the 'Abergynolwen Slate and Slab Co Ltd', who owned them until closure.

Bryn Eglwys Quarry

Bryn Eglwys Tramway, 1887

Bryn Eglwys Quarry, 1887

Bryn Eglwys Quarry, 1947

Allt Wyllt Incline - SH 6813 0656

Allt Wyllt incline was the first quarry incline, linking the Talyllyn Railway at Nant Gwernol to the horse-worked Galltymoelfre Tramway

Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline
Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline
Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline	Allt Wyllt incline wagon

Galltymoelfre Tramway - SH 6838 0624

The horse-worked Galltymoelfre Tramway was the link from the top of the Allt Wyllt incline to the foot of the Cantrybedd Incline, half a mile away.

Galltymoelfre tramway	Galltymoelfre tramway	Galltymoelfre tramway
Galltymoelfre tramway	Galltymoelfre tramway

Cantrybedd Incline - SH 6860 0598

The horse-worked Galltymoelfre Tramway was the link from the top of the Allt Wyllt incline to the foot of the Cantrybedd Incline, half a mile away.

Cantrybedd Incline

Cantrybedd Incline

'Frondeg', Cantrybedd incline

Level at the top of Cantrybedd incline

The 'New Mill' area - SH 6910 0580

This is the site of the Cwmcwm Incline and the 'New Mill'. The Cwmcwm Incline area was 'out-of-bounds' due to traditional horse-worked forestry operations.

Cwmcwm Incline	Horse-worked forestry operations	The 'New Mill' tramway
'New Mill' tips	'New Mill' tips	'New Mill' tips	'New Mill' tips

The Broad Vein Pit - SH 6936 0567

The Broad Vein pit is one of the outstanding features of the quarry, being 80 ft wide, 80ft deep and 250 ft long.

Broad Vein pit	Broad Vein pit	Broad Vein pit
Tips above Broad Vein pit	Tips above Broad Vein pit

Beudynewydd Incline and tramways - SH 6923 0571

The Beudynewydd Incline linked the Broad Vein pit to the Lower Mills and the tramway to Nant Gwernol.

Beudynewydd incline	Beudynewydd tramway	Beudynewydd tramway	Beudynewydd tramway
Beudynewydd tramway	Beudynewydd tips	Beudynewydd tips	Beudynewydd tips
Beudynewydd tips	Beudynewydd tips	Beudynewydd track

Other Areas in the Valley

Dolgoch Trial Levels - SH 6523 0431

There are 4 trial levels along the Dolgoch Valley alongside the falls, all looking for quality slate. Begun in 1868 by W W Jones and passed to the 'Dolgoch Slate and Slab Co Ltd' in 1872, the original quarry closed in 1884. Three attempts in 1897, 1910 and 1921 at reviving quarrying were all unsuccessful.
Level 1 ran 100 ft to the quarry or shaft and can be walked through to the gated quarry.
Level 2 is gated but runs about 320 ft. The approach is quite wet.
Level 3 is open but only 50 ft long.
Level 4 is also open, running for 500ft or so. It forks into a right-hand 290ft passage and a left-hand 90ft passage.

Dolgoch trial level 1	Dolgoch trial level 1	Dolgoch trial level 1
Dolgoch trial level 1 quarry	Dolgoch trial level 1 quarry	Dolgoch trial level 2	Dolgoch trial level 2
Dolgoch trial level 3	Dolgoch trial level 3	Dolgoch trial level 4	Dolgoch trial level 4

Tonfanau Quarry - SN 5850 9900

Opened in 1892 by a group of quarrymen including W W Jones, who was involved with Dolgoch Quarry, the quarry worked for over 100 years until 1998. During WW1 German PoWs worked at the quarry, There appears to be small-scale working on the site in 2024.

Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry
Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry
Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry	Tonfanau Quarry

Towyn - SN 5850 9900

Pillbox 1 on Towyn beach	Pillbox 1 on Towyn beach
Pillbox 2 on Towyn beach	Pillbox 2 on Towyn beach	Pillbox 2 on Towyn beach

The Vale of Rheidol

Vale of Rheidol - SN 7110 7880

The Vale of Rheidol mines as seen from a wet and misty trip on the train to Devils Bridge.
For a trip along the railway and a visit to the museum, click the link :- The Vale of Rheidol Railway

Cae Gynon lead mine	Cae Gynon lead mine	Cae Gynon lead mine	Cae Gynon lead mine
Cae Gynon lead mine	Gelli lead mine	Gelli lead mine	Gelli lead mine
Lefel Fawr lead mine	Lefel Fawr lead mine	Tanyrallt lead mine boiler

Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, near Machynlleth

Ystrad Einion Copper Mine - SN 7067 9382

Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, south of Machynlleth was visited by the Gwent Caving Club in 2019. It dates back to 1700 if not earlier and was operated by the Flintshire Mining Company until closed in 1760. It was re-started in 1853 and the underground water wheel was installed in a disused stope c1870. The mine closed finally around 1900, having never been profitable even though they managed to mine copper, lead, zinc and a small amount of silver.

Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine
Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine
Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine
Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine
Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine	Ystrad Einion Copper Mine

Acknowledgments, sources and further reading.

British Mining No 17, 'Cwmystwyth', Northern Mines Research Society
Dolgoch mines - Welsh Mines Society newsletter '61'