Day 45: Slate Caverns

We left our apartment in Barmouth today and headed to our next temporary abode at Llanrhystud on the Ceredigion Coast. As it was raining we decided to take in some underground activities en route to our new destination. Our first port of call was the slate caverns at Llanfair.

At the entrance to Llanfair Slate Caverns

The tunnels and caverns at Llanfair were all man made over 100 years ago with miners only having a candle for lighting. The slate in this mine, found in the veins between layers of Pre-Cambrian rocks, was among the oldest in the world, and many industrial towns of Britain and Ireland have the original roofs of Llanfair slate. It was fascinating to read about the lives of the miners and how the slate was extracted. You could still see the old drilling holes in the rock.

Old wagon in Llanfair Slate Cavern

Tunnels in Llanfair Slate Caverns

Patterns in the stone - Llanfair Slate Caverns

From here we drove inland around the Afon Mawddach until we reach the picturesque village of Dolgellau in Snowdonia National Park. We had a quick wander around the village before ducking into a café to get out of the rain and for a bite to eat.

Main street in Dolgellau

St Mary's Church, Dolgallau

Further down the road we visited King Arthur’s Labyrinth. The website describes that as ‘an underground fun filled adventure which sweeps you, by boat, through the magical veil of an underground waterfall into a mythical world filled with dragons, giants, fierce battles and the legendary King Arthur. Ancient legends from Wales unfold as you're guided through the Labyrinth by a hooded Dark Age Boatman.’ The tour took place in some slate caverns which were huge compared to the ones we visited this morning.

Then it was onwards to our accommodation for the next week – Britannia Cottage. This semi-detached cottage was built in 1869 and has been in the same family since 1917. It once included the village shop and smithy on the adjacent land. While not much to look at from the outside, inside it is lovely and cosy.

Living room at Brittania Cottage