CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record
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Garreg, lead mine

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 102779
Trust : Clwyd Powys
Community : Whitford
Unitary authority : Flintshire
NGR : SJ13407860
Site Type (preferred type first) : MULTIPERIOD LEAD MINE

Description :
Lead (Early 18th century-1864, 1901-1902)

Geology
Carboniferous limestone

Workings
In the 1720s, the Quaker Company was raising ore from the Garreg site using a whimsey. Although good ore was being raised, it was only workable in the summermonths due to flooding.

Shafts lie to the north and south of the road from the Maes Achwyfan Crossroads to Whitford.

The Garreg Vein was worked in the woodland of Coed y Garreg and on the farmlands to the east of this.

Two shafts are located in the woodland to the south of the road at SJ13407870, SJ13357863; and to the north of the roads in the woods at SJ13387875. North of Garreg Farm, a further two shafts are located at SJ13707820 and SJ14007780.

Transport
No evidence.

Power
The Quaker Company referred to Garreg as 'Windmillfield', which suggests that possibly a windmill was being used to try to overcome the problems of flooding in the mine.

A whimsey was in use to raise the ore and the Newcomen Engine shaft of the 1730s period was reportedly still flooded out in winter (Bevan-Evans).

There is no remaining evidence of these features.

Processing
No evidence.

Other features
No evidence. (Walters, 1993)

At least 20 individual shafts identified to the north and south of the road. Building beside road on southern side presumably related to the mine. See PRNs 93660 - 93667, 53714 - 53726. Area of Buarth-y-wacco wood to the north contains at least another 20 (PRN 53727). Windmill mentioned in placename (Windmillfield) may relate to the tower which overlooks the mine, and which was labelled as a windmill on an estate map of 1732 (PRN 102347). Whole area is overgrown and mostly planted with trees, the area immediately to the south of the road has been clear-felled and replanted in recent years, which led to many more shafts and features being identified (Better Woodlands for Wales survey, 2008). Visited 14/03/2008 (CPAT, McCullough A) (BWW, 2008)

Sources :
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust , 1993 , Site visit record - PRN102779
Walters, M , 1993 , Powys Metal Mines Survey 1993: consultation draft ( © Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust)

Events :

Related records
CPAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 102779
Better Woodlands for Wales 14817

Compiled date : 31-12-1982


Images :



Archaeological data, from the Historic Environment Record, supplied by The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © CPAT, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025). It is intended to be used for private research only and is not for use as part of commercial projects. If you wish to use this information for publication in printed or multimedia form or to compile resources for commercial use, prior permission must be obtained in writing. Use of this information is subject to the terms and conditions of access to HER data published on CPAT's website. Please contact the HER if you have any further questions regarding this information. Please quote the Primary Reference Numbers (PRNs) in any correspondence.

June 7, 2025, 7:58 pm - File produced for Archwilio from CPAT's Regional HER.
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, The Offices, Coed y Dinas, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RP
tel (01938) 553670, email her@cpat.org.uk, website www.cpat.org.uk

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