Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau is thought of as the scum of North Wales, a place to be avoided and maybe even feared. The old slate mines have scarred the landscape surrounding the once bustling mining town. The huge towering slag heaps lay waste on all sides of the valley, the only colour to be seen is from the detested rhododendron bursting through and invading the slopes.

Poor little Blaenau, so misunderstood. If it wasn’t for you what would they put on their roofs? What would they cover their flower beds with to stop the dog from digging them up? What would they write their hipster menus on in all the retro cafes?

…but alas! What is this? A sign of hope and life in the dark and dismal little town? They have invested in the slate caverns and made them somewhere for tourists to explore! Smart little Blaenau! You’ve turned the slags heaps into an extreme sports centre. Oh look! The train station has pretty little benches and a cool steam train too, what a wonderful way to hold on to an important history!

Maybe Blaenau isn’t so bad after all...

 Many slate statues have been placed around the town centre

 The ffestiniog light railway sees many trains of tourists enter the station everyday.

 Blasted Rhododendron!

 Bike tracks provide extreme sports for people to try.

 Slate is literally everywhere. 

 Selfie by the slag heap.