The Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd Quarry: A Step Back in Time
Nestled in the heart of Eryri National Park, Llechwedd Quarry offers visitors a profound journey into the rich history of Wales’s slate mining industry. The Deep Mine Tour provides an immersive experience, shedding light on the arduous lives of 19th-century miners and the evolution of the quarry over time.
A Glimpse into History
Established in 1846, Llechwedd Quarry quickly became a cornerstone of the Welsh slate industry. The quarry was owned by John Whitehead Greaves, whose vision and investment propelled its development. Under his ownership, the quarry experienced significant growth, becoming a major supplier of slate for roofing and other purposes. However, like many industries, it faced fluctuations in demand, leading to periods of both prosperity and decline.
Life of the Miners
The working conditions within the quarry were notoriously harsh. Miners often laboured in dimly lit, damp environments, relying on candlelight to illuminate their tasks. The work was physically demanding, with workers spending long hours drilling and extracting slate.
The risks were ever-present; to extract slate, workers used gunpowder (black powder), as dynamite was considered too powerful and caused fractures that rendered the slate unusable. Workers had to purchase their own black powder, candlelight, and even the rope used as a fuse. This added to the financial strain of their already demanding lives. Those who could only afford short fuses were at greater risk, as the limited time made it difficult to run to safety before the detonation.
Adding to the dangers was the role of the “danger man,” typically an elder worker who voluntarily undertook this unpaid task at the end of the workday. Danger men scaled wooden ladders—sometimes as tall as 10 meters—that were held up by basic rope attached to small hooks drilled into the quarry walls. Armed with a metal rod, they would poke at the ceilings and walls to check for any risks of collapse that could pose a danger to the workforce the following day. This was an incredibly hazardous job, with the workers often balancing precariously on the ladders in dim light. The bravery of these men, often watching over their children who worked in the mines, was immense. Their critical role earned them the title of “danger man.”
A major health risk for quarry workers was “silicosis,” caused by inhaling fine slate dust over many years. This condition severely affected their lungs, leading to breathing difficulties that worsened with age. Many older miners suffered debilitating respiratory issues, often forcing them to take frequent rests. Even today, benches scattered throughout the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog serve as reminders of this struggle, placed to provide a brief respite for miners with damaged lungs.
Families often worked together in the mines, with boys starting as young as eight years old. These young workers served as apprentices, learning the trade under the guidance of their elders. Legislation over time sought to improve conditions and set minimum working ages. For instance, the Mines and Collieries Act of 1842 prohibited underground work for women and girls and set a minimum age of ten for boys.
Community and Living Conditions
The quarry workers resided in company-owned houses, creating tight-knit communities centred around their labour. While this fostered a sense of camaraderie, it also meant that the company had significant control over many aspects of the workers’ lives, from their employment to their living conditions.
The Deep Mine Tour Experience
Today, visitors can delve into this rich history through the Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd. The adventure begins with a descent of 500 feet aboard a cable railway, transporting guests into the heart of the mountain. Throughout the 1 hour and 15-minute guided tour, participants explore ten vast underground chambers, each narrating different facets of the quarry’s history.
One of the tour’s highlights is the underground lake, a serene and hauntingly beautiful body of water that reflects the cavern’s walls, offering a moment of reflection on the lives once led in these depths.
The tour concludes with a moving audio-visual experience. Visitors gather to watch a short video projection that showcases the enduring legacy of the quarry. Then, the stirring sounds of a Welsh male choir performing the famous love song “Myfanwy”
fill the chamber. Recorded in the mine itself, the vocals echo off the slate walls, creating an unforgettable, ethereal effect that honours the miners and their cultural heritage.
A Taste of History
Adding a modern twist to this historic setting, the Snowdonia Cheese Company uses the natural climate of the mine to mature age their iconic *Rock Star* cheese to perfection. The slate caverns provide an ideal environment.
Visiting Today
Llechwedd Quarry has transformed from an industrial site into a heritage attraction, offering insights into the slate industry’s legacy. The Deep Mine Tour operates year-round, providing a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the challenges and triumphs of the miners who once toiled beneath the mountains of Snowdonia. For those with a sense of adventure or an interest in Welsh history, this tour offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past.
Whether it’s the emotional power of “Myfanwy” reverberating through the caverns, the underground lake’s quiet beauty, or the story of miners who shaped a town, the Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd Quarry is more than a journey underground — it’s a journey into the heart of Wales.
For more information on planning your visit, see the link here
