The six areas of the UNESCO Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales

Slate has been quarried in North Wales since Roman times, but reached its height during the Industrial Revolution when Welsh slate became a global commodity. At its peak the industry here employed around 17,000 men and produced almost half a million tons of slate every year.

In July 2021 the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales became our fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site. Joining the Castles and Town Walls of Edward I, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, the Slate Landscape’s designation was testament to the transformative impact of the slate trade on this part of Wales.

The explosion of vast quarries forever changed the landscape of this once rural and peaceful place, creating a unique environment of man-made and natural features. The impact wasn’t just physical. The society and culture of the region was also shaped by slate, altering how local people lived, worked and played. Today the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales is split into six key sections, each one a different chapter in the long story of slate.

Read on to learn more about each area in turn, or use the links to jump down the list:

1. Dyffryn Ogwen
2. Dinorwig Quarry
3. Dyffryn Nantlle
4. Gorseddau and Prince of Wales
5. Ffestiniog and Porthmadog
6. Abergynolwyn and Tywyn

ogwenThe yawning expanse of Penrhyn Quarry is a jaw-dropping introduction to the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales. At its 19th-century height, it was the world’s largest slate quarry - employing around 3,000 quarrymen and producing almost 100,000 tonnes of slate per year. While Penrhyn still produces slate in smaller quantities, it’s also become famous as a venue for adventure activities.

Zip World Penrhyn offers a range of unique experiences in and above the quarry’s rocky terrain. These include the pulse-pounding Velocity zip line – which allows visitors to streak through the air at speeds of more 100mph – and the Penrhyn Quarry tour, an off-road excursion through the quarry’s rugged terrain which combines stunning views with a deep dive into Penrhyn’s past. You can explore a darker facet of the slate trade at Penrhyn Castle. This lavish property was constructed in the 19th century by the Pennant family, who built their fortune both from the quarries of North Wales and Jamaican sugar plantations sustained by slave labour.

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Dyffryn Ogwen’s landscape is on foot. Wander the shores of Llyn Ogwen on a short circular walk with fantastic views of Tryfan and the Glyderau mountain range. Or stretch your legs with a longer stroll along Lôn Las Ogwen – which follows the route of an old narrow-gauge railway between Porth Penrhyn and the village of Glasinfryn.

dinorwigCentred around the waters of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, with Yr Wyddfa looming above, Dinorwig Quarry occupies an unusually picturesque location for what was formerly one of North Wales key industrial hubs. Though slate hasn’t been quarried here since 1969, Dinorwig was once second only to Penrhyn in size and importance. Dozens of terraces are still visible on the valley sides, alongside the remains of machinery and a range of quarry buildings and workshops.

For the lowdown on the area’s industrial heritage, head to the National Slate Museum currently undergoing major refurbishment, so please check their website for updates. Housed in Dinorwig’s former workshops, it’s a time capsule that sheds light on the technologies and techniques of slate production –alongside the lives and experiences of the people who quarried it. While the museum is closed you can visit a temporary exhibition at the Quarry Hospital in Llyn Padarn Country Park - also home to a network of walking trails and activities including watersports and rock climbing.

If you like riding the rails, take a trip along the shore on the Llanberis Lake Railway or a high-altitude journey to the summit of Yr Wyddfa on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. For even more ancient history, visit Dolbadarn Castle, which has stood watch over the valley since the 13th century.

nantlleIn contrast to the massive expanses of Penrhyn and Dinorwig, Dyffryn Nantlle is home to a number of smaller quarries spread out across the landscape. Slate was extracted from deep holes dug into the valley floor, which required specialised techniques and equipment both remove slate and waste. Look out for the tightrope-like blondins (named after Niagara-crossing daredevil Charles Blondin) and the chain inclines at Cloddfa’r Lon and Penbryn – invented by ingenious local engineers.

One of the best ways to explore the area is by following the Bro Nantlle Slate Walks. As well as showing off the valleys’ industrial heritage, this collection of five routes gives insights into other aspects of Nantlle’s history. One walk passes through the village of Rhosgadfaen, home of writer Kate Roberts, whose work was inspired by the struggles of people living and working in North Wales’ quarries.

You can also get a taste of local producers’ wares at Pant Ddu Vineyard, where you can take a guided tour of the vineyards (as well as sampling the some of the award-winning wine) and book a table at the on-site restaurant. If you’re in need of a boost, head to Poblado for an artisan coffee. It’s ethically-sourced from independent suppliers and roasted in the former quarrymen’s barracks that serves as Poblado’s headquarters.

gorseddauDespite significant investment at the height of the slate boom, the poor quality of the rock produced by these two quarries led them to fail within just a few years of operation. While they were unsuccessful at the time, their brief working lives makes them particularly interesting from a historical perspective. Rather than new developments and innovations gradually obscuring the quarries’ origins, the short lives of Gorseddau and Prince of Wales provide a time-capsule snapshot of the slate industry in the middle of the 19th century. You can still see the terraces where slate was cut, alongside the remains of the planned village of Treforys and the route of the old narrow-gauge railway built to carry slate to Porthmadog.

Perhaps the most striking feature is the Ynyspandy Slate Mill. The roofless remains of this grand old building stand next to the railway line about a mile from Gorseddau. Its scale is a potent reminder of the hopes once held for the quarries in this part of North Wales.

Today this peaceful place is a popular spot for walkers. If you’re out exploring you can refresh yourself at Tyddyn Mawr Tea Room, sat close to the waters of Llyn Cwmystradlyn.

ffestiniogOnce known as ‘the town that roofed the world’ Blaenau Ffestiniog has been reborn as one of the biggest outdoor activity hubs in the UK. Ffestiniog’s industrial remains can be seen both above and below ground at Zip World Llechwedd. Venture below the earth on the Deep Mine Tour, leap on giant subterranean trampolines in Bounce Below or play a round of underground golf.

Back on the surface, you can get a bird’s eye view of the quarries on the Titan zipline or take a quarry tour in a rugged off-road truck. There’s also the adrenalized Antur Stiniog, a downhill cycle centre that caters to cycling novices and experts alike. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you can explore one of the nine Bro Ffestiniog Slate Walks.

Porthmadog’s role in the slate trade was as a transport hub, moving Blaenau Ffestiniog slate from its harbour to destinations across the world. Ships were built and crewed by local men and you can learn about their stories at Porthmadog’s Maritime Museum. Connecting ‘Stiniog’ and ‘Port’ is the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway. After travelling over the Cob and the Glaslyn estuary the 13.5-mile journey winds through mountains and forests, past lakes and waterfalls.

abergynolwynThis more rural area of southern Gwynedd feels a long way from the vast quarries of further north, but the slate trade has nevertheless left its mark. Above Abergynolwyn, you’ll find Bryneglwys Quarry. Though small in scale compared to some of its contemporaries, it still stands out for its well-preserved wheel pit, which once provided water power to lift slabs of slate from the quarry floor.

Another slate industry reminder is the historic Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway. Originally built to haul slate from Bryneglwys to Abergynolwyn and Tywyn, this narrow-gauge line made history in 1951 when it became the first heritage railway in the world to be saved and operated as a visitor attraction.

• Snowdonia Slate Trail - An 83-mile walking route split into 13 sections
• Welsh Slate - Detailed information on the Slate Landscape’s past and present
• Visit Eryri (Snowdonia) - Information and inspiration on things for visitors to the region to see and do