Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Wharf at Cei Newydd
Talsarnau, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Vale of Ffestiniog, Talsarnau, Gwynedd, designated on 30 December 2004.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Maritime
- Date of designation
- 30 December 2004
- Locality
- Vale of Ffestiniog
- Community
- Talsarnau
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.92847, -4.04330
- Cadw reference
- 83476
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
Sited along the E bank of the Afon Dwyryd and below the W side of the A496 opposite Cei Newydd.
History
Early C19 slate quay or wharf. The lower Dwyryd Valley was owned by the Oakley family at Plas Tan y Bwlch, Maentwrog. William Oakley began a major scheme to drain the valley and to build stout earthen embankments to keep the tidal river within its banks. A document of 1796 refers to 1423 yards (1301 metres) of embankment, with associated drains etc, costing £309. William died in 1811 and the estate passed to his son William Gryffyd Oakeley, who spent a fortune on the estate and building new estate buildings in the area. It was also during the early years of his estate management that the nearby slate quarries were developed.
The opening and rapid development of the slate quarrying industry at Blaenau Ffestiniog at the beginning of the century gave rise to the construction of quays all along the banks of the Afon Dwyryd; at first the slates were brought down to the quays and loaded onto sea-going ships for transportation. The opening of the narrow gauge railway (1833-1836) from Blaenau to Portmadoc brought this traffic to an end.
Exterior
One of a series of slate quays along the banks of the Afon Dwyryd. Built of large slabs of local stone in a pattern of large crenellations.
Reason for designation
Listed as one of a series of little-altered slate quays along the banks of the Afon Dwyryd; of particular interest for their links to the slate industry which was so important to the region throughout the C19.
Nearby in the register
- Milepost to NNE of Cei NewyddTransportunder 1 mi
- Cei Tyddyn IsaQuayunder 1 mi
- Milepost to N of LlandecwynTransportunder 1 mi
- Church of St TecwynReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.