National Slate Museum
Padarn Country Park,
Llanberis,
Gwynedd.
LL55 4TY.
Tel: 01286 870630
Fax: 01286 871906
Email: slate@museumwales.ac.uk
Web: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk
Customer Reviews: Click HERE

Set in a stunning landscape amidst the towering slate mountain of Dinorwig Quarry the National Slate Museum at Llanberis offers a wonderful insight into the history of slate quarrying in North Wales.

Your trip will include visiting our stunning  introductory film, 'To Steal a Mountain', which interprets the history of slate and its people ; and a chance to see the Industrial Workshops including the CABAN ( Mess Room) Smithy, Foundry and Pattern Lofts. and a chance to marvel at one of the largest waterwheels in the world, now with improved access via a lift and stairway.

You can also see some of our homes including the Chief Engineers house which shows how his family lived at the turn of the century and our terrace of Quarrymen’s houses, 'Fron Haul'. Originally from Tanygrisiau near Blaenau Ffestiniog  they have been painstakingly dismantled from their original location and are now re-erected in the rear courtyard of the Museum and re-furnished to the years 1861, 1901 and 1969 - all important periods in the slate industry's history. There are demonstrations of quarry crafts to enjoy, including daily slate splitting and dressing and at other times, the  blacksmith and carpenter  at work.
During your visit take the chance to relax in our at the 'Ffowntan Café', serving a variety of locally made foods, and visit our gift shop for a a variety of books and handmade gifts. We also have an activity area and children's trail for children.

On leaving the museum why not visit the only slate carrying incline in the world. Demonstrations are provided daily but please contact the museum before hand.

The museum holds events and activities throughout the year. On a daily basis there are demonstrations,walks and talks to highlight some of the crafts essential to the site including the quarrymen, the blacksmith and the carpenter.

There is an annual events and exhibitions programme also:

• February 19 -22 : Model Railway Show
• 1 March - 30 April The Rhyfeddod Exhibition
• 6 -13 April Easter Trails
• July to December: Dinorwic – The End of the Line. Exhibition

Halloween and Christmas events also. More details can be found on the museum website www.museumwales.ac.uk

Opening Times:
Open throughout the year!
Easter - October, Daily: 10am - 5pm
Nov - Easter, Sunday to Friday: 10am - 4pm. Closed Saturdays.

Last admission one hour before closing.

Admission Prices:
Now free of charge for all!!

Directions:
9 miles from Caernarfon, 12 miles from Bangor, 17 miles from Betws-y-Coed. Follow the signs for Llanberis from the A55 expressway and the A5.

Bus:
Ask for Dol y Goeden Interchange which is directly outside our Llanberis Lake Railway Station ( 10 min walk to Gilfach Ddu)
85 Bangor (hourly, 2 hourly Sundays)
86 Bangor (2 hourly, no Sunday service)
88 Caernarfon (half hourly, mostly hourly Sundays)
S1 Snowdon Sherpa from Pen y Pass (hourly) - with easy connections (S97 route) to Betws y Coed, Beddgelert and Porthmadog

Bus timetables subject to change. Check all bus details HERE.

Train:
Bangor (12 miles), buses 85 and 86 stop at the station
Porthmadog (22 miles), Snowdon Sherpa bus S97 stops at the station, change to S1 at Pen y Pass
Betws y Coed (15 miles), Snowdon Sherpa bus S97 starts from the station, change to S1 at Pen y Pass

Extensive Coach / Car Park!

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