Hi All....although not new to mine exploring / caving (I am pretty experienced!!)I have recently moved to Penrhyncoch Just East of Aberystwyth and am looking for more info etc on the plethora of mines within walking distance of where I'm living.

I have located the mines on the maps etc and have found out some history of them, but would very much like to go explore surface or underground...Obviously, access etc is an issue and certainly wouldn't want to go and put my size 10's on peoples land willy nilly, so am looking for someone, anyone, in the area who maybe is in the know of the different mines and the area and access, that could help?...Get in touch if you are in the area or some info of whom to contact would be great 🙂
Many thanks

My first move would be to get a copy of Ioan Lords book "Rich Mountains of Lead". I have just searched Moorebooks and got no result, I would try the Rheidol Railway shop.

Access in the area is fairly free, Alltycrib and Henfwlch require a permit from Cave Access Ltd but no locks fitted.
http://www.caveaccess.co.uk/ 

You would also require BCA Membership for insurance, so you might want to consider joining a club which includes this with membership. Recommend Shropshire Caving and Mining Club

Some of the smaller mines will be on here, and re access, just ask on here about individual mines. A lot are on farmers land and the general attitude is easy as long as you close gates etc. Indicate sites you would like to visit on this thread, and I will try to direct you. I know the area and a lot of the landowners fairly well.

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Wow! Thanks Roy....I will certainly look at the membership thing...I used to be a member of WCC on Mendip, but having not caved for a few years all of that has laxed on my part, but certainly need to get the "insurance" thing sorted...

As we have moved (two months ago) to the back end of Penrhyncoch, the initial interest is in the mines within walking distance from me.
The closest is Llechwedd-Helyg Mine; that is about 1 mile up the valley from my place...spotted it whilst looking at other older maps for this area.
The other is Bronfloyd Mine, which gin, is only 1 mile from me on the otherside of the hill....along with so many others all withing 2 or 3 miles of where I am.

We(my partner and I) spent a lovely afternoon wandering around Cwmsymlog on Wednesday...Stunning and fascinating place....In fairness, any and all info would be great appreciated...also, now that I have more time for leisure activities, I would be very interested in meeting up with others for trips etc....Providing I buy myself a new lamp!!...Incidentally, was looking on your web site earlier...I may well be intouch for a new lamp very soon:thumbup:

Lefel Fawr at Cwmystwyth is an easy walk through, but can be thigh deep art the entrance through the tube. Make sure you have hard hat and fixed electric lamp, and be free to explore. Obviously at own risk, you should know the risks by now.

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Ystrad Enion is just down the road, not massive but there is some surface remains, you can look down the shaft and up it from the bottom and of course theres the underground waterwheel.

I would strongly recommend trying to get "The Old Metal Mines of Wales" By David Bick. (6 parts)
It is out of print now but worth searching out.
Possibly find the part that covers the area that you are interested in.

http://www.welshmines.org/ 

Second that. Bick is definitely worth sourcing.