Going through memory cards from last year I found this little gem, the Pen-yr-Orsedd quarry. Although many of these quarry buildings are slowly returning to nature there's a certain level of photographic derpy-ness about them that I love. Maybe it's the fact that most derelict surface stuff in the South East are burnt out shells with the strong aroma of "Eau-De-Tramp" and full of Goontube stickers.
Brief History
Originally opened as hillside galleries in 1816. Mills were built on three levels in 1860, 1870 and 1898 successively. At its peak 613 men were employed here. The quarry was made up of a series of pits and its most notable feature in the later years was the Pen-yr-orsedd Slate Quarry complex series of four aerial ropeways known as 'Blondins', with Bruce Peebles electrical equipment of 1906. Sadly only one blondin survives in situ with another on its side nearby.
The main workings closed in 1979, from 1980 small scale workings were carried out until production ceased around 2000. There is evidence from the vehicles and site signage that this quarry was worked until around 2012. Haven’t been able to find any info on this but perhaps someone thought wrongly that it was viable for small slate chippings. Either way the site is now abandoned.
The Explore
Not too much to say about this one, having seen it on many forums and wanting something chilled on our last afternoon having spent the last 3 days either underground or trekking up Snowdon we decided to pay a visit..... if anything for the aerial ropeway (AKA Blondin). Was very surprised to see the former electrical intake room was now containing live switchgear for the farm/houses above and was very accessible, who needs regulation in the mountains huh?
Only other people we saw that afternoon were a father and his son burying something. Had to resist the temptation to dig up Tiddles and shout "hey, you appear to have dropped this"
On with the photo's
Thank you for scrolling through!
Brief History
Originally opened as hillside galleries in 1816. Mills were built on three levels in 1860, 1870 and 1898 successively. At its peak 613 men were employed here. The quarry was made up of a series of pits and its most notable feature in the later years was the Pen-yr-orsedd Slate Quarry complex series of four aerial ropeways known as 'Blondins', with Bruce Peebles electrical equipment of 1906. Sadly only one blondin survives in situ with another on its side nearby.
The main workings closed in 1979, from 1980 small scale workings were carried out until production ceased around 2000. There is evidence from the vehicles and site signage that this quarry was worked until around 2012. Haven’t been able to find any info on this but perhaps someone thought wrongly that it was viable for small slate chippings. Either way the site is now abandoned.
The Explore
Not too much to say about this one, having seen it on many forums and wanting something chilled on our last afternoon having spent the last 3 days either underground or trekking up Snowdon we decided to pay a visit..... if anything for the aerial ropeway (AKA Blondin). Was very surprised to see the former electrical intake room was now containing live switchgear for the farm/houses above and was very accessible, who needs regulation in the mountains huh?
Only other people we saw that afternoon were a father and his son burying something. Had to resist the temptation to dig up Tiddles and shout "hey, you appear to have dropped this"
On with the photo's
Thank you for scrolling through!
