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Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales

Booster Station

Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales

A Grade II listed building in Maenofferen Slate Quarry, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, designated on 1 February 1996.

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913) covering the location of Booster Station, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Designation
Listed building, Grade II
Broad class
Industrial
Date of designation
1 February 1996
Locality
Maenofferen Slate Quarry
Community
Ffestiniog
Unitary authority
Gwynedd
Country
Wales
Coordinates
53.00130, -3.91756
Cadw reference
16890

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
  • 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1899 · 119 Snowdon (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in Cadw's own full report ↗

Cadw's description

Location

Located immediately to the E of the slate dressing mill and S of the smithy/workshop.

Exterior

History: Early C20 electricity booster station. Electric power was established at Maenofferen in 1911 with the construction of its own hydro-electric powerstation. This was fed via a system of pipes from Llyn Bowydd and Llyn Newydd; the booster station converted the power from DC to AC; it is still in use (June 1995).

Exterior: Slate-built single-storey structure of 2 sections, the southern-most stepped-down from the other and with weather-coursing at their intersection; oversailing eaves and deep verges. Tall loading bay to the N gable end with crane arm above. Boarded double doors to R. Partly slate-hung W side with boarded door and blocked window openings; further window (formerly an entrance).

Interior: The rear section (N) is the turbine room and retains its original machinery and switch gear. The S section is used as a storage area and lamp room. Early C20 Mine Act notices remain on the walls, together with a Coronation flag of 1953.

An early C20 electric booster station with its machinery intact and still in use.

Group value with other listed items at Maenofferen, an exceptionally complete example of a slate quarry level.

References: D. Rh Gwyn and A. Davidson, 'Gwynedd Slate Quarries', Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Report No. 152, (forthcoming).

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 2026-09-07, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Cadw, the Welsh Historic Environment Service · Open Government Licence v3.0
All Industrial in Gwynedd All Unitary authority Gwynedd records All Wales Heritage registers Historical markers (US)National Register of Historic Places (US)
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