Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Winding Drumhouse and Incline
Llanllyfni, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Industrial
- Date of designation
- 21 July 2000
- Locality
- Pen-yr-Orsedd
- Town
- Caernarfon
- Community
- Llanllyfni
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.05963, -4.22583
- Cadw reference
- 23733
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
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "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).
Cadw's description
Location
Located to the south-east of the slate mill on Level VI (Bonc yr Offis) of Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry, the drumhouse is dramatically sited at the head of the incline running downhill to the south-east.
History
Drumhouse built in the late 1860s or early '70s. The quarry opened c1816 when it was worked by William Turner. In 1863 it was bought by W A Darbishire & Co., after which it underwent substantial modernisation, reflected in the use of both water and steam power. During the 1890s about 450 men worked here; it finally closed in 1997.
Exterior
Consisting of 2 massive battered piers constucted of sawn slate blocks with a gable-ended slate roof; remains of a slate-built structure attached to south-east gable end. The slate-built incline survives in relatively good condition with some rails in situ; a flight of steps runs alongside.
Interior
Drumhouse retains winding drum with brake mechanism.
Reason for designation
Listed as a good example of a drumhouse and incline forming part of the remarkably well-preserved complex of slate quarry buildings at Pen-yr-Orsedd.
Nearby in the register
- Slab MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Locomotive ShedIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Barracks BuildingIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Winding DrumhouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.