Parys Mountain - Copper Mine

Amlwch - Anglesey - Wales

There has been a mine at Parys mountain for at least 3500 years. It's heyday was the 19th and 18th Centuries when there where thousands of workers at the site providing most of the worlds copper. The centre of the mountain has been gouged out, and at one point was one of the biggest man made holes. All with a little bit of dynamite, pick, shovel and horse power !

A Martian like landscape, red and brown is everywhere. Apparently it was used as a location for "Dr.Who" the cult English Sci-Fi series and featured in the BBC Restoration programme. It has also claim to fame for providing the copper hulls of the British Navy, in particular HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, commanded by Admiral Lord Nelson in 1805. This mine was one of the essential ingredients for the start of industrial revolution.

It is a great place to go for a walk, though one should be wary of big holes suddenly appearing, keeping to the sign posted ways is really essential. In late August there is masses of purple heather because of the acidic soil and lots of birds with the occasional butterfly thrown in !

The mine is a couple of miles from the port of Amlwch whose harbour was used to transport the copper by sea. It has a really nice museum explaining the history of Amlwch. the copper mines, the sea and even the tobacco industry which thrived at one point.

Click images to get the bigger picture

Comments

We shall have to visit this now we have seen your stunning pictures, we'll visit in May with geologist friends.

My Great Grandmother was born in Amlwych (1848). How lovely to be able to see these photos. Hopefully I will see this place in May 2008. I am from Canada. Thank you so much.

who is the owner of parys mountain?

Darn. Now, another great place I'd love to visit - and the list is 32 pages long, as is! Very lovely photos, thank you! Don Reed

Had a great day on the mountain while camping in nearby Moelfre.
Strangely Beautiful and Dreamlike, yet bursting with the memories of History and Hardship, wrought for the benefit of others.
We were there together, Steve, Jan, Joel, Elika, Clint and Jordan,
Daz, Nia, Heidi,Annie, Conor and Elvis. August 2006

Looks like a movie set!!

Visited the mountain earlier today, and these pictures are just brilliant. Scott

Truly spectacular pictures pete from holyhead

Alibongo- brilliant pictures, the person who used to own Parys Mountain had about 6000 acres between Meni Bridge and Beaumaris, our house used to be the stables! you can't imagine it now though because it is massive, he must have had a lot of horses! anyway thank you for these amazing pictures

Trippy - Nice page. I'm glad you shared. It's nice to see other parts of the world (one way or another.) Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Cool

Excellent images. Hoping to take some of my own this week

Love it, my parents live in Rhosybol. My dad loves the mountain. Thank You. x

Fantastic, what a super website

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