Much lost by modern work and untopping.**

The remains of Bowydd quarry present a complex landscape shaped by extensive reworking and landscaping efforts. While much of the original site, including the mill structures themselves, has been removed through uptoping operations, numerous significant features survive to document the quarry’s historical development.

Substantial stretches of tramway formations are still evident across the site, and several retain tracks in place. The Tuxford haulage incline is faintly visible, and near the Rhiwbach No. 2 incline stand the fir-tree-surrounded ruins of “Quarry Bank,” which served as the manager’s house. At this elevation are several additional structures, including the fragmentary remains of a two-storey water-powered writing-slate factory. Weigh houses, various inclines, and other ancillary structures continue to survive.

The connection to the Rhiwbach Tramway is readily identified near the foot of No. 2 incline. Despite significant clearance work, the route ascending from the lowest mill level to the Diffwys incline remains traceable. The Rhiwbach Tramway route to the head of No. 1 incline, which descended to Blaenau, exhibits well-engineered construction with notable cuttings and embankments. No. 1 incline itself remains in good condition, though its remote, rock-cut drum house has largely collapsed.

The lower portion of the Diffwys incline, situated below the junction, has been surfaced as a pedestrian path. Its drum gear is notable for an unusual configuration in which the brake is positioned between the two halves of the drum. Numerous other structures persist in varying states of preservation, encompassing offices, locomotive sheds, and extensive revetment work that supported the mill terraces, protected adits, and shielded work areas from debris. At the site’s summit, the old Votty pit remains flooded and now functions as a water source. A separate water-powered writing-slate factory operated in the town at SH699456 but was destroyed by fire in 1912, leaving no standing remains.

Bowydd quarry began working in the late 18th century and quickly became a pioneering site in slate extraction and processing. It was among the first quarries to install an internal rail system (2 ft 2 in gauge, 1825) and to adopt hand saws, Matthew’s dressers, and possibly circular saws as early as 1827.

Major expansion in the 1830s strengthened its industrial role. In the 1870s Bowydd merged with neighbouring workings to form the larger Votty & Bowydd enterprise. By the late 19th century it was at peak output, producing over 17,000 tons a year and employing nearly 500 men. Locomotives were introduced from 1878.

The quarry eventually operated three large mills—A, B, and C—on massive terraces, alongside a writing-slate factory. Mills A and B had 35 ft × 4 ft waterwheels, and Mill C a 40 ft × 3 ft 6 in wheel. These powered about 50 saws (including a Hunter), 50 dressers, and 4 planers via under-floor line shafting. Unusually, waste-wagon tracks ran inside the mill buildings.

Electricity arrived from Dolwen in 1899, though low amperage meant waterpower remained essential. In the 1930s a hydrostat was added to raise water, water balances worked between mill levels, and a three-track water-powered incline handled haulage. Diamond-tipped saws were introduced at this time, supported by power from the Maentwrog hydro station.

A direct incline to the Ffestiniog Tramway was built in 1854, and by 1880 most output moved via a connection on the Diffwys incline. In later years only Mill C remained in use and converted to diesel. Oakeley took over in 1933, operations ended in 1963, and Llechwedd began reworking the site in the 1980s.