Читать книгу The Ceredigion and Snowdonia Coast Paths. The Wales Coast Path from Porthmadog to St Dogmaels онлайн

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The slate industry

Thousands of tonnes of slate per year were won from vast galleries in the hills of North Wales, particularly during the 19th and into the 20th century, with tramways and narrow gauge railways built to bring it to the coast for export. Serving the Rheidol Valley mines, a railway went down from Devil’s Bridge to Aberystwyth carrying slate and zinc. This is now the famous Vale of Rheidol Railway. From near Abergynolwen, slate from the Bryn Eglwys Quarry went to Tywyn on the Talyllyn Railway. And from the vast slate area around Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Ffestiniog Railway linked to the coast at Porthmadog.

Tourism

As the boatbuilding, limestone and slate industries declined, partly as a result of the arrival of the railway, it was the railway itself that prompted the growth of seaside resorts. Tourism remains a vital part of the economy of the area, based on its proximity to Snowdonia, on attractions such as the narrow gauge railways and on the magnificent coast.

A plaque near the Urdd Centre marks the official opening of the Ceredigion Coast Path (Day 13)