Top Eisteddfod


Lead Mine

Worked from 18C to 19C

Jan 1st, 2024 from CPAT by Buddle-Bot

Feb 26th, 2025 by BertyBasset



North Wales
Bwlchgwyn
53.0644302, -3.123652
SJ 2480 5250
Private Land
355m
#2,020


The Top Eisteddfod area extends east of Bryn Eithin and north of the Quarry, revealing an early mining landscape characterized by shallow workings where limestone outcrops. The sett appears to have exploited the Hush Vein, with a series of shafts continuing northward from the large open-cut workings of the vein. The 1899 2nd edition 1:2500 map marks an old shaft at SJ 2470 5265, though no evidence remains in this field. A single surviving shaft is located north of the road at SJ 2464 5271, but no further workings are evident in the northern part of Eisteddfod Mountain. The line of shafts and spoil heaps runs from north-east to south-west, accompanied by a leat that has since become a public footpath.

Large open-cut workings dominate the area around SJ 2474 5245, with an adit level identified at SJ 2482 5252. Nearby, the earthworks of a small reservoir with visible sluices for the leat’s passage are present at SJ 2492 5250. The Quarry Buffer Zone has been expanded, potentially destroying further workings. Any traces of activity on the Rock Vein or the Craig-Boeth Vein have been lost to quarrying. A leat system runs through this sett and continues around Eisteddfod Mountain via Steddfod Pool at SJ 2492 5265, connecting with the Twelve Apostles and Eisteddfod setts. To the southeast of the earthwork reservoir at SJ 2496 5248, the remains of a stone-built ore bin are visible alongside an adjacent shaft.







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