Llechwedd Slate Caverns.
Industrial history of North Wales!
Set in 2000 acres of land between Blaenau Ffestiniog & Dolwyddelan. Llechwedd offer the most amazing days adventure you'll ever have.
Experience first hand on our world famous cavern tours how slate was mined and then see how it is transformed into traditional roofing slate and the famous and beautiful slate fan.
We offer a unique setting for many events from conference facilities to the country's deepest civil wedding service!
To find out about all our wonderful and unique experiences and facilities travel round our site at your leisure. Book tours online to avoid disappointment and the queues!
Enjoy your travels and we hope to see you at the Caverns very soon!
DEEP MINE
Visitors descend on a steep funicular railway with a gradient of 1:1.8, on the Deep Mine tour. You travel in a specially made 24-seat car, on a track with a gauge of 3ft (0.914m).
MINERS TRAMWAY
Board a train and ride into an 1846 tunnel, hauled by battery-electric locomotive.
Entering through the side of the mountain this journey into the early Victorian past remains on the level, and traverses some spectacular caverns.
Llechwedd Victorian Village
As well as the 2 underground tours we have a Victorian village where access is absolutely FREE! Why not pop into the Miners' Arms for a refreshing drink and light lunch? The beer garden is ideal for people watching and enjoying the magnificent landscape.
Ffestin's sweet shop is a must for all those with a sweet tooth. From traditional sweets made to Victorian recipes to more modern day favourites, you'll be spoilt for choice!
Visit the village bank and exchange some new money for old. We have our own coins that can be spent anywhere in the village or kept as a souvenir of your visit to Llechwedd.
Explore the village Smithy, Printers, Cobblers and the small house where Dafydd Ellis, the blind harpist once lived.
The Victorian Village is open from March to October and shut during the winter months.
What is Slate?
From the French 'esclater', to split.
Slate is found all over the world, but the best geological conditions for its formation were in Britain.
Industrial extraction of the slate is achieved by using this natural weakness. In the late 1700's black powder was introduced into the extraction process; it's slow-burning quality was favoured as it was less likely to shatter the stone - instead, it would be dislodged along the line of least resistance. The aim was always to break away as large a block as possible from the quarry face as this provided greater flexibility in breakdown, final splitting into tiles is done by hand.
The widest and most well-known use of slate from Llechwedd is for roofing. Thick slabs can be produced which have a great variety of uses such as gravestones, snooker tables, mortuary slabs, and to keep food cool in kitchens. Pulverising the slate gives rise to a dust (fullerite) that can be transported by tanker. This is used to strengthen felt roofing and submarine cables, as an ingredient in reconstituted roofing tiles as well as a base by the cosmetics industry.
Locally to North Wales, slate chips are used as a base for paths and lawns (for example it has been used to provide a base for a local bowling green).
Beautiful Snowdonia and North Wales
Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Statistics: 213 click throughs, 8003 views since 22-Aug-2007
Attraction in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Gwynedd
Entrance Charge
- Single Ride: Adults £9.25 Children £7.00 Seniors £7.75
- Both Rides: Adults £14.75 Children £11.25 Seniors £12.50
Opening Times
First tour is at 10.15am. The last tour is at 5.15pm March - Sept and 4.15pm Oct - Feb
News and Special Offers
The 3 Chough chicks have all been ringed by the RSPB and can be seen on live CCTV in the entrance at Llechwedd. If you travel on the Miners' Tramway you may hear or even see the birds as they fly in and out of the cavern.
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Contact Details
phone: 01766 830 306 fax:Llechwedd Slate Caverns.
Lllechwedd Slate Blaenau Ffestiniog. Gwynedd LL41 3NB UK
