Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Ropeway Winding House (north-east)
Llanllyfni, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Pen-yr-Orsedd, Caernarfon, Llanllyfni, Gwynedd, designated on 21 July 2000.
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
- 53.06009, -4.22746
- Cadw reference
- 23738
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 · 118 Nevin (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Located immediately to the north-west of the slate mill on Level IV (Bonc Isa') of Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry.
History
Built in 1929 to wind the blondin ropeway from Wern Ifan pit. 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
Single-storey rectangular plan structure aligned north-east to south-west, constructed of roughly coursed slate slabs with gable-ended slate roof. Central window (joinery missing) to front wall with doorway and further window openings in left gable end; integral red brick stack to right gable end.
Interior
Retains concrete base for former electric motor which wound the blondin ropeway. On the internal wall are 3 murals, each contained in a painted disc, one depicting a horse's head, the others a bird on a branch and a dog's head with potted plant.
Reason for designation
Included as a well-preserved example of a C20 winding house operated by electric power and associated with the extensive blondin system at the quarry; part of the remarkable complex of buildings at Pen-yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry forming a group with other items on Level IV.
Nearby in the register
- Slate MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Slab MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Compressor HouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Winding DrumhouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.