Since making Corris our home we discovered a glorious hike around Ratgoed which is located only a couple of miles away through Aberllefenni, our neighbouring village.
Ratgoed was originally an active slate quarry approximately two miles north of Aberllefenni on the east side of CWM Ratcoed.
The mid-nineteenth century underground quarry although closed in the latter half of the 1840s was re-opened in 1851 selling slabs for chimneys, head stones, wash stands and off course slate roof tiles.
Surprisingly for the era large number of women were used as the work force and found on the pay role records being extremely rare.
With three mills operating on different schedules with only one turbine the horse drawn Tramway from Ratgoed connected to the Corris railway for distribution of the goods in 1864.
Unfortunately with the absence of adequate planning it made the managing of the transportation meaning their output was extremely limited resulting in only 434 tons with just 25 men in 1882 and by1898 only eight men continued to be employed.
The quarry opened and closed several times starting from the turn of the 1900s and according to the Ordinance survey it was classified as disused in 1901 but by 1937-38 17 men were still employed but sadly it finally closed for the last time in 1946.
At present the quarry’s abandoned remains lay within the forestry area still containing the buildings laying in ruin with the mills, drum houses, pit workings, staking areas with powder houses abandoned cottages and chapel amongst other memories of its past. Only the owner’s house and Ratgoed Hall still remains occupied.
It was a great walk and lovely to see Ratgoed Hall is being rescued and renovated. The circular walk is about 3km and you can clearly see the mine shafts and tips that are mentioned earlier. The footpath is well signposted and the route has definitely become a favourite!
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