The Dinorwig Quarry, where the museum is situated, was once the second-largest slate quarry in the world.
The massive 15-foot diameter waterwheel at the center of the site is one of the largest of its kind in the UK.
The museum houses a collection of original workshop equipment that was left in situ when the quarry closed in 1969.
The reconstructed quarrymen's houses were relocated to the museum site from the nearby 'Stabal Terrace'.
The slate produced at Dinorwig was used on buildings globally, including notable sites in Australia and the United States.
The National Slate Museum is located within the Victorian workshops of the Dinorwig Quarry in Llanberis. The site preserves the industrial heritage of the Welsh slate industry, which once supplied the world with roofing materials. Visitors can observe the original machinery, including a massive waterwheel that powered the entire site's operations. The museum features a row of re-created quarrymen’s houses, each furnished to reflect different eras of life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Expert craftsmen provide daily demonstrations of slate splitting and dressing. The site includes the V2 'Sybil' steam locomotive and several original workshop buildings maintained in working order. As of June 2026, the museum continues to function as an educational facility managed by Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.
The raised viewing gallery overlooking the massive central waterwheel.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival to catch the live slate-splitting demonstrations.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the site grounds feature historic cobbles and uneven surfaces.
Allow extra time to walk the perimeter of the adjacent Padarn Lake for panoramic views of the quarry landscape.
Do not attempt to hike into the old quarry workings above the museum site, as these areas are unstable and strictly off-limits.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season months.
