Sygun Copper Mine

The next position on the list of the most beautiful historical sites in Gwynedd is the Sygun Copper Mine which was a Victorian copper mine outside of Beddgelert in the Snowdonia National Park and was once one of Wales' major mineral suppliers. Mining has been practiced in the region since Roman times. These mines were not discovered until the Industrial Revolution when the demand for copper increased and they were uncovered and dug deeper into the hills. 1903 saw the closure of the mine because it was no longer profitable.

The mine was reopened in 1983, and restoration work started soon after. It was established in 1986 as a tourism destination with a focus on audio-visual tours of the underground construction sites. Its twisting passageways and expansive, vibrant chambers with stalactite and stalagmite formations are open to visitors.

The thoughtful building of visitor facilities at Sygun Copper Mine earned the Amies family the 1988 Prince of Wales Award. Prince Charles gave the family the honor during a ceremony where he also received a copper ingot made from local ore as a gift. The Ward Family, who now own and operate the copper mine, has renovated the mine's facilities as well as its tourist attractions.

Additionally, a gallery and a museum of art are part of the Sygun complex. The Red Dragon Heritage Centre, a component of the Sygun Museum of Wales, also has a section on Welsh mythology and history. Small pieces of the museum's art collection, which is among the greatest of any privately run museum in Great Britain, are displayed periodically throughout the year. The collection is divided into two primary categories: 20th century and antique.

Location: Beddgelert, Caernarfon LL55 4NE, Wales