Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Slate plaque noting the date Dinorwig Quarry was founded by T. Assheton-Smith in 1778. It is believed that the plaque was displayed in the quarry, most probably as part of a wall or other structure. This date refers to the early stage of development at Dinorwig Quarry when a number of small workings or quarries were operated by groups of quarrymen on the mountainside in the parishes of Llanddeiniolen and Llanberis. The land belonged to Thomas Assheton Smith of the Vaenol Estate, who granted permission for the land to be quarried for a relatively small sum of money. The early quarries included ‘Chwarel Morris Williams’, ‘Chwarel Ffowc Robaits’, and ‘Chwarel Fawr’. The real capital development of Dinorwig Quarry started in 1787 when Thomas Assheton Smith granted Hugh Ellis, Thomas Wright, and William Bridge a 21 year lease (at a sum of £12 per annum) for the extraction of slate at Chwarel Fawr and Allt Ddu. By 1820 Thomas Assheton Smith took full control of the quarry land and the work of extracting the slate.