CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record
The following information is from the on-line database 'Archwilio'.
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Maeshafn/Maes-y-safn, Main Site

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 18049
Trust : Clwyd Powys
Community : Llanferres
Unitary authority : Denbighshire
NGR : SJ19806110
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL LEAD MINE / POST MEDIEVAL ZINC MINE

Description :
Lead/Zinc (Early 18th-1903)

Geology
Carboniferous Limestone.

Workings
The area referred to as the main mine site on the plan deposited at CRO Hawarden is now overgrown with woodland. A single shaft is identifiable at SJ19816111, to the south-east of Bryn Hyfryd.

No 5 shaft was Pen-y-bryn, some 5.50ft diameter and driven to a depth of 310 yds. No.6 shaft was Pen-y-nant, 3.50ft diameter and driven to a depth of 40 yds.

Transport
No evidence to suggest anything other than horse-drawn transport.

Power
No evidence.

Processing
Dressing floor areas are located on the riverbank (PRN 102915).

Other features
Bryn-Hyfryd house at SJ19766103 appears to have been the mine office. Other buildings in the vicinity must be associated with the stables and smithy.

The late 17th or early 18th century Nant Cottage at SJ19606100 is a Grade II Listed building (CADW ref no 25/23/29). Originally built as a farmhouse, it was reputedly converted to a row of five cottages for workers at the local lead mine. (CPAT)

Maeshafn Mine (Lead, Disused).
At Maeshafn, a lead mine to which is related an adit level at SJ 195614, and nearby, a pair of large wheel-pits in parallel (Ordnance Survey, 1979).

Lead mine remains consisting of a shaft (now capped) and mounds of lead mining waste without soil cover. Entire site is approx 100m x 100m, banked up on it's NW and SW sides. No buildings or structures are visible. (CCC, 1988)

Sources :
Clwyd Archaeology Service , 1988 , Site visit record - PRN106119
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust , 1995 , Site visit record - PRN18049
King, Tony , 2005/6 , The Maes y Safn Lead Mine , Transactions of the Denbighshire Historical Society : 54 : 23-54
Morgan Rees, D , 1975 , The Industrial Archaeology of Wales
Ordnance Survey , 1979 , OS record card SJ 16 SE

Events :

Related records
CPAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 120684

Compiled date : 31-12-1995


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.

May 3, 2025, 10:56 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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