The National Slate Museum
Wales
The National Slate Museum, located in Gilfach Ddu within Padarn Country Park in Llanberis, Wales, preserves and showcases the rich history of the Welsh slate industry. Housed in the 19th-century workshops of the former Dinorwic quarry, the museum offers a vivid insight into the lives and work of slate quarrymen. Visitors can explore Victorian-era slateworkers' cottages meticulously reconstructed from Tanygrisiau, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, and experience the multi-media display "To Steal a Mountain," which narrates the challenging quarrying life. A highlight is the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain, built in 1870 by De Winton of Caernarfon, measuring over 15 meters in diameter. The museum also features locomotives from Welsh quarries and is connected to Llanberis by the Llanberis Lake Railway, which uses part of the museum for workshops. As an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, it plays a significant role in preserving industrial history. The museum was temporarily closed for renovations in November 2024 and is expected to reopen in 2026, promising an enhanced visitor experience.
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Astuce: Plan your visit between spring and early autumn for the best weather and to enjoy the surrounding Padarn Country Park. Check the museum's website for reopening updates and consider booking tickets in advance after renovations to avoid queues. The museum is family-friendly and offers educational exhibits suitable for all ages. Discounts may be available for children, seniors, and groups.
Faits intéressants
- •The museum houses the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain, built in 1870, measuring over 15 meters in diameter.
- •It features Victorian-era slateworkers' cottages that were dismantled stone by stone and reassembled on-site.
- •The museum is connected to the nearby village of Llanberis by the Llanberis Lake Railway, which uses part of the museum as its workshops.
- •The site was originally the 19th-century workshops of the Dinorwic quarry, one of the largest slate quarries in Wales.
Histoire
The National Slate Museum is situated in workshops built in 1870 to support the Dinorwic quarry's operations, replacing earlier store sheds.
The Dinorwic quarry itself was a major slate producer until its closure in 1969.
The museum opened on May 25, 1972, initially as the North Wales Quarrying Museum, preserving the industrial heritage of the region.
Over time, it expanded its exhibits, including relocating Victorian slateworker cottages to the site.
It became part of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage, reflecting its importance in industrial history.
Guide du lieu
Victorian Slateworkers' Cottages19th century
These cottages were originally located at Tanygrisiau near Blaenau Ffestiniog and were carefully dismantled and reconstructed at the museum site to showcase the living conditions of slate quarry workers in the Victorian era.
The Waterwheel1870
Constructed in 1870 by De Winton of Caernarfon, this is the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain, measuring over 15 meters in diameter and 1.6 meters wide. It powered machinery in the Dinorwic quarry workshops and is viewable via several walkways.
Multi-media Display: To Steal a Mountain
An immersive multi-media exhibition portraying the lives and work of the men who quarried slate at Dinorwic, providing historical context and personal stories from the quarrying community.
Locomotives from Welsh Quarries
The museum owns and displays several locomotives used historically in Welsh slate quarries, illustrating the industrial transport methods of the era.
Contact
Téléphone: 0300 111 2333
