North Wales Archives | Things To Do In Wales

Update: On July 28th 2021, The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is probably the most stunningly located museum in Wales. The village of Llanberis is a popular base for those wanting to climb Mount Snowdon, its also the departure point of the Snowdown Mountain Railway and the home of the interesting (though sadly closed for the foreseeable future) Electric Mountain Visitors’ Centre. The twin blue lakes of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris and the surrounding green mountains, with their purple-grey slate quarry scars, provide as visually appealing a backdrop as they come!

Once you’ve stood around and gawked at the scenery for a while, it’s time to take a closer look at the museum. The grey stone buildings were the engineering workshops for Dinorwig slate quarry from their construction in 1870 until its closure in 1969. Walk through the gatehouse and into a courtyard strewn with rail wagons and spare parts. You’d be forgiven for thinking the workmen had just gone home for the weekend – and that’s the effect they’re going for here. Cast your eye over the Chief Engineer’s house furnished as it would have been in 1911, imagine the heat of the foundry as workers pour molten iron and make castings and visit UNA the steam engine. Climb the staircase or take a lift to view the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain, then see a live slate splitting demonstration before visiting Fron Haul, the little terrace of Quarrymen’s cottages where you’ll travel through time from 1861 to 1969.

There are usually plenty of activities for little ones to enjoy and a play area with zip-wire for them to burn off some energy!

Once you’ve finished your visit, you’ll find plenty more things to do in North Wales. Take a look at my North Wales map to find out more.

Getting Here, Entry Charges and Parking

The closest railway station is Bangor from where you can take a taxi (approx 25 minutes, £30) or bus (approx 55 minutes, £4) to Llanberis. Note that buses typically run only every 2-3 hours. See Traveline Cymru for timetables (link below).

Entry to the National Slate Museum is free.

Chargeable parking is available at the Museum.

Useful Websites:

National Slate Museum: https://museum.wales/slate

Traveline Cymru: https://www.traveline.cymru

CK Cabs Snowdon Taxis: http://www.snowdontaxi.com

Another of Wales’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built between 1795 and 1805, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a cast iron trough on top of 18 stone piers that carries the Llangollen canal 38m (126ft) high over the River Dee. The design and construction was overseen by respected canal engineer William Jessop, but many of the project’s technical details were developed by Thomas Telford, who would go on to become one of Britain’s most celebrated civil engineers.

Boat trips along the canal and across the aqueduct are available from Llangollen Wharf. The Trevor Basin, adjacent to the aqueduct, has a Visitor Centre and a pleasant canalside Pub. If you’re feeling brave, you can walk along the tow path across the aqueduct. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views. Carry on a little along the canal and enjoy a peaceful calming walk. After that, make your way down into the valley and view the aqueduct from below, the engineering achievement is perhaps even more impressive viewed from this perspective.

So how do you pronounce Pontcysyllte?

The name of this place can be difficult to pronounce if you’re not from Wales (and even for some who are!) It’s pronounced PONT-KUH-SUSTH-TEH

To make the sound I’ve highlighted in bold, put your tongue behind your top front teeth like you would to make an “L” sound and then blow so that the air escapes at either side of your mouth.