King Arthur's Labyrinth

Braich Goch Slate Mine


Useful Information

Location: In Corris. A487 between Machynlleth and Dolgellau
Open: APR-OCT daily 10-17. [2020]
Fee: Adults GBP 12.25, Children (4-15) GBP 8.15 Children (0-3) free.
Groups (15+): Adults GBP 10.10, Children GBP 6.70.
[2020]
Classification: MineSlate Mine
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: T=10 °C.
Guided tours: L=800 m, D=60 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography: Alun John Richards (1994): Slate Quarrying in Corris. pp 24-47
Roger Symonds (1999): King Arthur's Labyrinth. Pitkin Guides.
Address: King Arthur's Labyrinth, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9RF, Tel: +44-1654-761584.
E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1787 first slate mining.
1878 Braichgoch quarry employed 250 men and produced 7,000 tons of slab and roofing slate. High time of the mine.
1906 Braichgoch quarry company collapsed.
1962 bought by the brothers Dewi and Gwilym Lloyd of Aberllefenni.
1970 mine abandoned.
1994 opened as a tourist attraction.

Geology


Description

The old Braich Goch Slate Mine at Corris dates back to 1787 but after sundry successes, was abandoned in 1970 when some of the entrances were covered during a road widening scheme. In 1994 the old mines were commercialised and opened up as a tourist attraction invoking the legend of King Arthur and more. The visitor enters the caverns via a short boat ride, the boatman being dressed as a monk for some reason. Just before the landing stage there is a waterfall covering the passage, which, as if by magic, dries up as the boat approaches. A series of large chambers are then visited each one telling part of the legend of King Arthur including: The fight of the dragons and the foretelling of the coming of Arthur, The giant Rhitta, The head of Bendigeidfran, The battle of Camlan and the death of Arthur, The flooding of Cantre'r Gwaelod and the bells of Aberdyfi, The cave where Arthur sleeps.


Text by Tony Oldham (JUN-2001). With kind permission.