Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Winding Drumhouse
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
- 53.05925, -4.22666
- Cadw reference
- 23736
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 IV of Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry above the remains of the incline leading down to the start of the former Nantlle Railway below.
History
Drumhouse of the late 1860s or early 1870s. 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
Drumhouse constructed of sawn slate blocks with gable-ended slate roof. The lower sections of the side walls supporting the drum axle are wider and of more massive construction than the upper sections which support the roof only. Remains of adjoining slate-built structures to south-east and south-west.
Interior
The drum survives with its brake mechanism.
Reason for designation
Listed as a good example of a slate quarry incline drumhouse forming part of a well-preserved group of quarry structures at Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry.
Nearby in the register
- Locomotive ShedIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Slab MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Winding Drumhouse and InclineIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Slate MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.