Blaen y Cwm

aka Pen-y-ffridd

Slate Quarry
Worked from 1813 to 1914

Jan 1st, 2024 from GWSI by Buddle-Bot

Jul 27th, 2025 by BertyBasset



The Blaen-y-cwm mill from the internal tramway leading to the top of the Blaen-y-Cwm pit.
North Wales
Penmachno
52.9971733, -3.8872719
SH 7344 4609
Private Land
480m
#1,531


Remains include remnants of three mills, weighhouses, the exit uphaul incline, a downhaul incline (Watson’s incline) in the twll, a reservoir as well as smaller pieces of infrastructure.



First records of work suggest sporadic surface work from 1813 to 1826 followed by a small increase in working until a closure in 1834. From 1838 to 1861 there was again sporadic working.
In 1861 more industrial development now including underground took place but little good rock was won and in 1888 the quarry was abandoned and most equiopment removed.
From 1898 to 1903 the quarry was re-opened and working for time but over the following decade working was scant. In 1914 the quarry was closed, though there was some removal of poor slate and country rock up until the 1960s



CRoW land with easy access via the Rhiwbach Tramway



Publications (3)

  • (1991); CATMHS - Newsletter 029-April; 27 pages
  • Lewis, M.J.T, (2003). Blaen y Cwm and Cwt y Bugail Slate Quarries. Adit Publications. ISBN: 0952297930
  • Richards, Alun John (1991); Gazeteer of the Welsh Slate Industry, A; Gwasg Carreg Gwalch 978-0863811968


The Blaen-y-cwm mill from the internal tramway leading to the top of the Blaen-y-Cwm pit.




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