Conservation work has started to stabilise and conserve the ruins of the former miners' hospital at Penrhyn Slate Quarry in North Wales, a key heritage feature of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site. Recclesia’s conservation masons will be working on the site from November on a seven month programme which will see the ruins conserved as found and major structural stabilisation works completed. The project is part of the Llewyrch o’r Llechi cultural investment programme led by Cyngor Gwynedd, which aims to create three cultural heritage hubs in the Llanberis, Bethesda, and Blaenau Ffestiniog areas by supporting projects led by local communities and ensuring North Wales’ rich cultural and built heritage is preserved for generations to come.
Following emergency works to the site carried out earlier in the year, including recording work of the building archaeology, the current phase will see the ruinous and unstable remains consolidated, from small interventions made to enhance the ability of the standing elevations to weather appropriately, through to major structural interventions to reintegrate parts of the structure. Great care is being taken by our team to define all of the remaining architectural features of the building to make sure all interventions remain legible as part of best conservation practice.
The former miners' hospital was built in the 1840s by Colonel Pennant for treatment of quarrymen injured at work, known locally as Ysbyty Brynllwyd, the hospital also treated injured visitors walking in the Eryri region. The building closed during the Second World War and by 1974 was in such a precarious state that the quarrymen dismantled the roof and floors, leaving only the elevations standing. By 2023 the ruin was lost to a self-seeded woodland which had rewilded the entire building and its formal gardens.
Expert conservation architects from Donald Insall Associates’ Conwy office developed a sensitive scheme of conservation and repair work, led by Elgan Jones who commented, “The conservation works are being undertaken at a critical point in the history of the building; the removal of the vegetation highlighted the fragile condition of the building fabric and, without this intervention, would likely deteriorate at an accelerated rate, rendering the structure unsafe and eventually result in its collapse. We are thrilled to work alongside a passionate project team with a shared goal to safeguard the fabric and conserve the architectural and historical details, which tells us of its former use and role within the wider slate landscape.”
Among the many partners in the project are Welsh Slate, who are contributing to the scheme by providing all of the slate materials required for the conservation work at no cost – their spokesperson said they “are thrilled to be part of the work to conserve Penrhyn Quarry Hospital, we understand the fondness for the site locally, and as landowners want to ensure that the site is maintained as sensitively as possible. As a proud partner in the project, we are delighted that our contribution of materials towards the work will enable the funding to go further towards the sensitive conservation of the structure.”
The much needed conservation project has been made possible by funding provided by the UK Government through the Llewyrch o’r Llechi programme, led by Cyngor Gwynedd as part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales World Heritage Site, in partnership with Cadw and Welsh Slate.
World Heritage Sites Wales commented, “The story of health and welfare within the slate valleys is a vital and fascinating part of its history. The quarrymen were trailblazers when it came to social care, and these hospitals led the way in many of the treatments and medication we rely so heavily upon in today’s health service.
“Safeguarding this structure is vital in telling the story of healthcare across the World Heritage Site, we have the Dinorwig Quarry Hospital in Llanberis which has been reopened as a museum and the Ffestiniog Quarry Hospital which has long been a private house, so to ensure that the Penrhyn Quarry Hospital is able to relay the story of its location by securing the structure and including interpretation is a fantastic prospect.”
Recclesia’s Conservation Manager, Lee Bilson FIIC noted what an honour it is for us “to be part of this critical project, working alongside Cyngor Gwynedd, Welsh Slate, and Cadw to ensure that the Penrhyn Quarry Hospital ruins are preserved for future generations. As specialists in conservation and masonry craftsmanship, we are committed to maintaining the site’s historical integrity and authenticity, while stabilising and conserving the building’s unique architectural features.”