Site Record

Chwarel Fawr Slate Quarry is located on the northern slope of Moel Eilio. In spite of its name, it was until the late 1860's very small. Initially material was carted to Caernarfon, via Waun Fawr, but it was later connected by a tramway to the Ffridd incline. After the quarries amalgamation with Cefn-du in 1883, the tramway was abandoned and the material was then taken by tunnel to this latter quarry for reduction.

The remains of the site consists of a large pit with very extensive rubbish runs and the tramway; the tunnel has collapsed. There are no buildings, those in the pit area disappeared when the working was deepened following the amalgamation with Cefn-du (NPRN 400667). There are also vestiges of a short incline, possibly associated with early workings.

Source: Richards, A. 1999. The Slate Regions of North and Mid Wales. Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, pg36:37
RCAHMW AP94-CS 1024 and RCAHMW AP945131/44
RCAHMW, June 2009