Day 20: Llanberis (Snowdonia)

During the past few weeks of walking, especially as we headed south of Llandudno, we have seen a lot more slate. It is used as roofing on most buildings we have passed. However, we have also seen slate used in a myriad of other ways including: numerous stone walls; ingenious fences made from long slices of slate tied together with wire; slate paving; crushed slate on paths; slate mulch and; slate chip seal. The shops have slate signs, sell slate coasters, slate table mats, slate jewelry - it is a beautiful product. We had to go see the place where all this slate came from so today we visited the National Slate Museum in the picturesque village of Llanberis located at the foot of Mount Snowden. 

Picturesque village of Llanberis at the foot of Mt Snowdon

View of Dinorwic Slate Quarry

Vivian Slate Quarry

At the museum we witnessed a demonstration on splitting and dressing slate by a local Welsh quarryman who had worked in the quarry for 35 years, as had his family for the previous six generations. Back in the day as much as 94% of the slate mined was discarded in huge piles but now with modern quarry methods and more uses for slate most of the product is used in some form or another including toothpaste and cosmetics.

The slate museum was located on the site of a quarry workshop that had been operating for over 100 years and displayed all the foundries, tools and equipment, some of which is still working including a huge water wheel that provided the power for all of the tools. 

Old quarrying equipment at the National Slate Museum

Blacksmith forges at National Slate Quarry Museum

Lathe at the National Quarry Museum

After a quick detour to visit the quarry workers hospital (which unfortunately was closed) we wandered back down the road to explore the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle which was built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great during the early 13th century. The dominant feature at the site is the impressive round tower, built of you guessed it, slate and rubble.

 

The approach to Dolbadarn Castle 

Dolbadarn Castle

Foundations of several courtyard buildings viewed from the top of Dolbadarn's Great Tower

Next thing we were sitting at the top of Wales having travelled to the peak of Mount Snowdon via the Snowdon Railway. While the sky was clear of clouds, it was later in the day, so the views were hazy. We had to fight our way through the crowds to the actual apex of the mountain. You may well ask why we didn't walk up the mountain like the hordes of other people? Well, while we are on a walking holiday of Wales, we had decided not to walk up the mountain as this would have taken all day and there is so much more to see and do in Snowdonia in the few short days that we are here.

Standing at the top of Mount Snowdon

View of Llyn Gwynant where we are currently camped