Location
SH 784 234 (Main Mine)
SH 791 234 (Deep Drainage Level)


Directions
You will need an O/S map – the mine is South West of Bala, off the A494 near Rhydymain. You can drive right to the main mine entrance through several gates in the road (ignore the sign that says “unsuitable for motors” as it is eminently suitable for even a low vehicle).

Access
Unknown & Ungated


Suggested Equipment
None for Upper Workings
Dingy or wetsuit for lower workings and deep drainage level)

Length
Unknown but probably substantial
Upper workings around ¾ mile in total


Flood Risk
There is water to no more than 2-3 inches in the upper workings
The lower workings and deep drainage adit are flooded to, around, neck depth

Mine Attributes
Slate


Description
On approach, the spoil tips suggest this is a small mine. However, it is deceptively large for the small amount of spoil.

The upper workings contain a lengthy main passageway with various chambers off to the sides (two of which have a shaft to daylight). A chamber at the far end has a shaft in the ceiling with water pouring in but there is no way to reach this and no evidence on the surface of a higher adit or level (hum!).

There is no connection between the upper workings and the lower workings.

The passages of the upper workings are extremely well decorated with significant formations of iron/copper – some fantastic photo opportunities and certainly worth the visit.

The lower workings are flooded to neck depth and the entrance could not easily be “dug out” to release the water. A dingy or swimming in with a wetsuit appear to be the only viable options. It is possible that there is a connection here to the deep drainage adit (logic suggests there is).

The deep drainage adit manifests at the side of a steep stream ½ kilometers away but is again very deep at the entrance. There is evidence that you would immediately be on a false floor (wooden floor with a visible hole just inside the entrance). Again, a dingy or swimming in would seem to be the only viable means of entry.


Digs
None Known


Links
None Known

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This is the LOWER entrance (not the drainage adit) and is flooded to neck depth

More piccies from the UPPER workings ...



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Drips of water hitting a mineral formation in the main passage of the mine:




Sleepers with chairs still attached in the main tunnel

The Grotto from another angle

We could have a trip here soon please ?

Definitely one for a weekend trip. Just knocked up this information card for Cae'r Defaid which you can download onto your phone or tablet to help locate it. The geographic co-ordinates are approximate as I had to get them off Google Earth, the AditNow info is currently inaccessible as it is undergoing a makeover and we can't log in these days.

Greg,

The cards you have done are really pretty cool



Ian