Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Hydro-electric Powerstation
Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Maenofferen Slate Quarry, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, designated on 1 February 1996.
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
- 53.00409, -3.92507
- Cadw reference
- 16897
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid 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)
Cadw's description
Location
Located 1km to the NW of the main Maenofferen level, in a sheltered hollow beneath the summit of Moel Bowydd; N gable into the rock.
Exterior
History: Hydro-electric DC power station Constructed in 1911 as part of the electrification of Maenofferen quarry and designed solely for its use. It is supplied from Llyn Bowydd and Llyn Newydd via pipes and is still in operation with its machinery largely intact.
Exterior: Square, slate rubble building with slate roof half-hipped to the S; plain bargeboards and deep verges to the N gable and a small tin louvre at the roof apex. Boarded entrance door to W face with an unglazed window opening to the L. Plain yellow brick chimney projecting from the SW corner with a low brick wall adjoining to the front. Upper loading bay to the rear with cast-iron pipe entry point; boarded doors. Various blocked and disturbed openings to the N gable, in part relating to the adjacent ruined engine house.
Interior: Raised platform to the E with central rail incline and pipework. 3-bay king post roof with gantry crane. Gilkes of Kendal turbine dated 1927 and a direct current generator by British-Thompson-Houston Co; switch gear also by B.T. H.
Listed as an exceptionally scarce example of an hydro-electric power station with largely intact machinery.
References: D. Rh Gwyn and A. Davidson, 'Gwynedd Slate Quarries', Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Report No. 152, (forthcoming).
Nearby in the register
- Slate Dressing MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Smithy and Workshop RangeCommercialunder 1 mi
- Former Engine HouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Booster StationIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.