The slate landscape of northwest Wales, which includes Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bethesda and the Ogwen Valley, was granted UNESCO status in 2021
17:21, 25 Dec 2025Updated 17:27, 25 Dec 2025
One of the spectacular views on offer in Tanygrisiau, a part of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales(Image: Portia Jones)
From the ambitious restoration of one of the world’s oldest railway buildings and heritage skills to the rescue of a quarry hospital, to the transformation of a top music venue, to a host of community art projects and a football festival, it has been a bustling year for the slate landscape communities of north Wales.
It’s now four years since the landscape was awarded world heritage site status and the region’s recent accomplishments, developments, investments and conservation efforts have been spotlighted in the Llechi Cymru Partnership Board’s 2025 annual report.
A variety of projects have been rolled out including thrilling conservation initiatives such as the rescue of the old Penrhyn Quarry Hospital at Bethesda. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter
The hospital holds a significant place in the narrative of Welsh slate, particularly in relation to health and welfare within the slate society.
After urgent structural work in 2024 an ambitious plan was set in motion to ensure its long-term stability, with the goal of making the site publicly accessible and providing on-site interpretation.
This project is a collaboration between Cyngor Gwynedd – through the Llewyrch o’r Llechi scheme funded by the UK Government, Cadw and Welsh Slate (Breedon).
Site visits have been arranged in partnership with Partneriaeth Ogwen, inviting Dyffryn Ogwen residents to explore the structure, learn about its history and gain insight into the conservation techniques being employed to safeguard the building.
The report also outlines how an ambitious initiative by Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways reached completion in 2025.
Work carried out at Boston Lodge in Porthmadog between 2022 and 2025 – home to the world’s oldest railway workshops – played a crucial role in safeguarding heritage buildings, traditional skills and historic assets, according to the report.
The endeavour saw some of the “most significant heritage buildings” preserved and reconstructed, whilst creating valuable opportunities for staff and volunteers through a scheme backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Town regeneration initiatives brought eye-catching artworks to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog, Tywyn and Penygroes, co-designed alongside local schoolchildren, whilst community infrastructure projects delivered significant investment, including improvements to facilities such as Neuadd Ogwen Bethesda and Yr Aelwyd Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The report highlights how the work and investment at Neuadd Ogwen has “transformed” the venue, ensuring it has “a prosperous and sustainable future” and allowing a year-round events programme to flourish.
The former slate village venue now attracts internationally acclaimed performers, thanks to the cutting-edge technology and high-quality facilities now in place.
Educational and heritage programmes included workshops with primary schools throughout Gwynedd, whilst community pride events featured a thriving Dyffryn Nantlle Football Festival.
Girls take part in the Dyffryn Nantlle Football Festival(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
According to the report, Y Gloddfa Glai playing fields in Talysarn were “brimming with excitement” in June, as more than 200 youngsters from Gwynedd’s quarrying communities gathered for a special football festival.
The event marked the official unveiling of Talysarn Celts Football Club’s upgraded pitches, whilst honouring the historical link between slate quarrymen and football.
Twelve primary schools participated, with years five and six pupils competing in a five-a-side competition.
A standout moment came when Rhian Wilkinson, manager of the Wales Women’s Football Team, dropped by after announcing the Wales women’s squad from the summit of Yr Wyddfa earlier that day.
Amongst community activities, Yr Aelwyd in Blaenau Ffestiniog hosted a special occasion featuring “an emotive and powerful” lecture by Lord Dafydd Wigley on the fight for slate quarrymen’s compensation.
Additional events included a creative workshop at Llanfair Quarry, led by Mair Tomos Ifans, featuring folktales, songs and crafts for families, plus a discussion panel and children’s activities as part of Bangor History Festival 2025.
Meanwhile, visitor experiences included partnerships delivering international programmes, such as those at the National Slate Museum.
Despite the National Slate Museum undergoing significant conservation works and a major refurbishment, the institution maintained its presence through its ‘Museum on the Road’ initiative. This encompassed temporary exhibitions at Penrhyn Castle, Caernarfon Slate Quay and Dinorwig Quarry Hospital, alongside events hosted in slate communities throughout summer 2025.
Artwork In Porthmadog(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Dr Dafydd Gwyn also delivered a presentation at Cwmystradllyn in partnership with the National Slate Museum as part of the Museum on the Move initiative.
Lord Dafydd Wigley, Chair of the Llechi Cymru Partnership Board, expressed his pride in the achievements witnessed throughout the slate landscape, stating he hoped the report offered “a taste” of what has been accomplished.
“The designation has led to significant improvements across the area which will reinforce our vision as a partnership ‘to protect, preserve, improve and convey the area’s important features to reinforce the cultural distinctiveness and strengthen the Welsh language, and become an important catalyst for economic regeneration and social inclusion,” he said.
“Over the years UNESCO designations have attracted significant investment to Gwynedd, and since the designation of the slate landscape of northwest Wales as a world heritage site in 2021 a total of over £38 million has been secured for the county through sources such as the UK Government, Cadw, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other partners.”
The coming period will see further delivery of the Llewyrch o’r Llechi project activities, along with another year of LleCHI LleNI programmes.
Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd’s cabinet member for economy and community, commented: “Since I became Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, I have been delighted to visit the slate landscape to see the exciting developments that have been underway, the enthusiasm and support in our communities.
“Cyngor Gwynedd is delighted to be leading on our world heritage site and on the Llechi Cymru partnership; seeing our vision gradually become a reality for the benefit of communities, businesses and the slate landscape of the area is truly encouraging. This is a huge story that puts Gwynedd on the world map.”
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