Penrhyn Quarry’s History

Zip World’s main base at the Penrhyn Quarry, near Bethesda, once employed 3000 men who mined Welsh slate for an international market. Slate from North Wales is world famous, and celebrated all across the area, most especially at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis.
The quarry was owned by the wealthy Pennant family and production peaked during the early to mid 1800s. After a series of strikes against poor working conditions, production at the site gradually reduced. In addition, over the course of the 20th century, alternative roofing materials such as tile began overtaking slate in popularity causing the industry in North Wales to further decline. Penrhyn Quarry is still extracting slate, but on a much smaller scale, allowing for much of the original quarry site to be used for activity and cultural purposes.
Those attending our Active Snowdonia course will be able to visit the Penrhyn Quarry and - if feeling brave enough - experience the world’s fastest zipwire for themselves, or simply take in the breathtaking landscape if not.