Dinorwig Quarry

The site operated from the late 18th century until its closure in 1969, shaping both the landscape and the local communities over nearly 200 years.

The quarry’s vast, stepped galleries carve into the mountainside like a manmade amphitheatre, telling the story of the slate industry's past. At its peak, Dinorwig employed over 3,000 men and exported high-quality slate across the globe, used for roofing, flooring, and building materials during the Industrial Revolution.

Today, the site is a fascinating place to explore on foot. Walking trails wind through dramatic slate heaps, abandoned workshops, old winding houses, and rusting machinery, offering a haunting glimpse into the lives of the workers who toiled here. The views from the quarry over Llanberis and Llyn Padarn are breathtaking.

For those seeking more adventure, parts of the quarry are popular with climbers and mountain bikers, while photographers and urban explorers are drawn to the eerie, atmospheric remains. With its raw beauty and rich industrial heritage, Dinorwig Quarry offers a powerful and memorable insight into the story of North Wales’s slate industry and its impact on both people and landscape.