Blaenau Ffestiniog Slate Mines · AditNow Community

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daveinexile
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

I've explored Wrysgan, Cwmorthin and Rhiwbach many times, done the Croesor - Rhossydd trip, and this week checked out Conglog, Cwt y Bugail and Maen Offeren.

I'm curious to know if anyone out there can recommend any other slate mines in this area? In particular, is it possible to explore underground in any of the sites shown on the map for Foty, Bowydd of Diffwys?

Many thanks.....

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TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

There's a lot of untopping going on around there and could be dangerous to go around. I haven't been up there in years so don't know the exact situation. Almost certainly the Greaves (Llechwedd) folk wouldn't be happy finding you there. Some u/g is possible with care - some of the Thursday Nighters might pm you on possibilities...

Explorans ad inferos

daveinexile
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully someone can let me know of places I can still explore. Having looked at the photos on the site Diffwys looks like the best possibility from those three, with Blaen Y Cwm as well, being away from the untopping at least.

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Nothing much to see at Blaen y Cwm, big hole (twll) with a short, blind tunnel at the bottom. Remains of a small mill below the Rhiwbach Tramway and the trackbed of the link line uphill with remains of the up hauling pulley IIRC.

New Welsh / Cwt y Bugail is quite interesting with some chambers u/g at the bottom of the main twll. When I first went there in 1982, most of the large mill still had a roof but that's all gone now, just the walls.

Was that the Cwt y Bugail you went to or the current, working Cwt y Bugail / Bwlch y Slaters / Manod where the art treasures were kept during WW2? That again is not recommended as it's a working quarry. There is one person I know here who works/ed there and with his help, it's possible to get semi-official access at w/e's to visit the chambers via the 'back door'

Explorans ad inferos

danswift
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Penarth and Moel Fferna just down the A5 also, I've visited Moel Fferna it's well worth the effort. Hoping to do Penarth soon.

RAMPAGE
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Definitely stay away from any of Greeves/Zipworlds mines including Llechwedd, Maenofferen and Votty. You also need to keep out of Welsh Slate's which include Oakeley and Manod.

You won't get grief for going in some of the other long-abandoned ones like Rhosydd/Croesor/cwt-y-bugail/Conglog etc, nobody ever gets challenged for being in these ones.

The only Ffestiniog slate mines with actual access permission in place are Rhiwbach (access through Cave Access Ltd), Wrysgan (under lease by Go Below), and Cwmorthin (also Go Below).

Beneath my steely exterior beats the heart of a dashing hero

daveinexile
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

Thanks for the responses.
The Cwt y Bugail I explored was the old disused one, not the renamed one.
I won't go back into Maenofferen if it's contentious. And thanks for the tip on Croesor mine - I'll have a look.
As for the A5 mines, I'll do the drive some day.

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

A bit further south, you've got the Corris area slate mines - Bryn Eglwys above Abergynolwyn and in Corris itself, the spectacular Braich Goch. If you've plenty of dosh, worth contacting Mark Waite, the leaseholder, and taking one of his Corris Mine Explorer trips - our group had half a day u/g with Mark and it was thoroughly enjoyable with Mark leading us and showing us all the artefacts in the many chambers and telling us the history as we went along...
Don't go in Aberllefenni - Wincilate will have you, but further along the track is Ratgoed which is worth a look in.

Explorans ad inferos

danswift
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

I never realised ratgoed and aberllefeni where so 'north' I assumed they where in south wales for some reason.

Is aberllefenni a working quarry still? I have read a lot of exploration reports.

NewStuff
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#10

Mothballed, not abandoned. You are well advised not to go in.

Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC

danswift
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#11

Mothballed...so you mean they intend to work it again from underground? Aberllefenni seems to be one of the last slate mines to be worked underground, as recent as 2002? Hoping to go for a look at Ratgoed this weekend.

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#12

Coming back home from Porthmadog via BFf and the Crimea Pass tonight, noticed something I'd never noticed before. Just after 'Gloddfa Ganol', near to the summit and on the RHS across the field, I spotted a small tip and what appeared to be an adit. Any thoughts, has anyone had a look?

Explorans ad inferos

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#13

If they're the ones i'm thinking of, they are something to do with the back vein

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#14

Could just be a trial and doesn't go in very far then Mr B. The tip didn't look extensive...

Explorans ad inferos

RAMPAGE
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#15

Part of llechwedds drainage leat network that gathered water to turn the wheel.

Beneath my steely exterior beats the heart of a dashing hero

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#16

Thanks Miles!

Explorans ad inferos

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#17

Oh for some reason when you said gloddfa ganol I had thought you meant the oakeley side :oops:

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

NewStuff
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#18

"danswift" wrote:
Mothballed...so you mean they intend to work it again from underground? Aberllefenni seems to be one of the last slate mines to be worked underground, as recent as 2002? Hoping to go for a look at Ratgoed this weekend.

Apparently so, if the price of slate makes it worthwhile. It is a recent closure, compared with most of the stuff we explore.

Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#19

"RAMPAGE" wrote:
Part of llechwedds drainage leat network that gathered water to turn the wheel.

@Clive: As you look up at the road that the minibuses go uo with the mountain bikes is it to the right and below the road or in the rocky outcrops to the left and higher?

Yma O Hyd....

danswift
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#20

Bit of a longshot but whilst there's a bit of activity on here ...

Is it as difficult as it looks locating Ratgoed mine? I will be parlong at Llwydiarth hall (might be spelt wrong) and then tryong to lpcate the tramway, I'm hoping this will lead into the quarry but any hints appreciated :lol: