Dinorwic Quarry, located in Snowdonia, North Wales, is an iconic site for photography, offering dramatic landscapes and rich industrial history. The slate quarry, once one of the largest in the world, is set against the backdrop of rugged mountains and serene lakes. Its labyrinth of stone walls, abandoned buildings, and rusted machinery provide striking contrasts with the natural beauty surrounding it.
The rugged textures, weathered surfaces, and atmospheric lighting make it a perfect spot for capturing industrial decay alongside stunning views of the Welsh countryside. The quarry offers a mix of history, nature, and photogenic contrasts ideal for a variety of photography styles.
At its peak, it covered about 700 acres (around 2.8 square kilometers). The quarry was known for its immense size and the scale of its operations, particularly its vertical depth. The quarry had a depth of over 1,000 feet (about 300 meters). It was also home to numerous tunnels, tramways, and buildings, making it an intricate and complex industrial site. Dinorwig was a key producer of slate until it closed in 1969, and its history is still an important part of the region's heritage.
We will visit the the old Anglesey barracks and explore the Hidden valley (California Pit) to see the waterfall, this place has a real magical feel to it, We’ll take a stroll upto the old cutting room, from here just a short distance away we can enter the Caban, still in its original state from when the quarry was abandoned in 1969, there’s even overalls still hanging up! Plus lots lots more along the way.
There is so much to shoot here, a location that really suits B&W photography as well as colour. Works best when it’s wet!
