Padarn Country Park

The location of some of North Wales’ most amazing attractions!

At this unique site you will discover the giant Waterwheel, the old Quarry Hospital with its gruesome implements, Steam Trains, Lake Cruises, a National Museum with demonstrations of the quarryman's skills, Nature and Heritage Trails, Climbing, Scuba Diving, water activities such as Canoeing & Sailing, Craft Workshops, picnic sites and of course, light refreshments!

It's an ideal place to sample what the countryside can offer. Within this 800 acre Local Nature Reserve are two Sites of Special Scientific Interest - Coed Allt Wen Woodlands and Padarn Lake. The Vivian Quarry, once a hive of industrial activity, is now a venue for extreme sports and a fine example of natural regeneration.

The Quarry Hospital

Visit the old Dinorwig Quarry Hospital. Free admission.

Original medical equipment from the 1800’s. Ward, Operating Theatre, original X-ray Machine, gruesome medical equipment & a Mortuary! Exhibitions of old photographs of quarrymen and memorabilia from the life of local poet and dramatist T. Rowland Hughes.

Open 7 days a week during the Easter school holidays also from end of May to early September. Open every weekend from Easter until end of September. October to March, by prior arrangement only. Follow the red waymarks.

The Quarry

Padarn Country Park is set in part, on the edge of the old massive Dinorwig Quarry complex.

At the turn of the century the site once provided employment for about 3000 men. Slate from these quarries was exported to roof buildings all over the world. In addition to that, slate is also used for making snooker tables, in cosmetics, to build roads, walls and fences and even as a homeopathic remedy.

When the quarry closed, Caernarfonshire County Council purchased the site and had the amazing foresight to develop it to allow the natural environment to flourish, the built environment to be preserved, whilst at the same time encouraging access to the countryside.

The Woodland

Coed Dinorwig is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because these oaks are Sessile Oaks. In May, the Oak trees become infested with Caterpillars of the Mottled Umber Moth. The results of its voracious feeding can be seen until July when the tree compensates for this attack by growing a second crop of leaves. On trees and rocks you will find Mosses and Lichens growing in abundance.

Any environmental pollution has a serious effect on mosses and lichen and the fact that they are so prolific proves how clean the environment is here in the Park.

Padarn Lake

At a maximum depth of approximately 30m (100ft) Padarn Lake is the sixth deepest lake in Wales. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because its deep waters are home to a fish called the Arctic Char, a species left over from the time of the last Ice Age. Certain rare Water Plantain can also be seen growing in the lake.

As well as these uncommon life forms another feature that makes Padarn Lake an important site is its geomorphological features of Cambrian rocks overlying pre-Cambrian rocks.

Lake Walk

This circular walk of approximately five miles starts from the Gilfach Ddu car park. For most of the way it follows well made paths and quiet country roads. It is a moderately easy walk with many outstanding views along the way.

Vivian Trail

This magnificent walk combines industrial archaeology with wilderness experiences, taking in the heritage of the quarrying industry and its harshness, whilst giving unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Woodland Walk

Following the last period of glaciation, north Wales was colonised with natural woodland. Most of the more fertile valleys and hillsides were cleared by man to allow for farming needs. The remaining oak woodlands are those in areas difficult to cultivate. Coed Dinorwig is a fragment of one of these early forests.

Nature Trail

The Nature Trail allows you to explore and discover the magic of Coed Dinorwig.

Kingfisher Trail

Access for the less able - the trail leads from the Gilfach Ddu car park and is designed for less able users and wheelchairs. Visit the lake shore or go to watch climbers and divers in the Vivian Quarry or visit the only working slate incline in the area.

Quarry Hospital

Follow the trail to investigate the old Quarry Hospital.

Essential Information

We want you to enjoy your visit to Padarn Country Park but please be aware that some areas of the Park can be dangerous and children should be supervised at all times.

• Only follow way-marked trails
• Do not enter building ruins
• keep away from old quarry structures
• Some paths have uneven surfaces and steep drops
• No swimming in any water
• Some of the features of the Park include old quarry
workings, steep woodland paths and deep waters