Quarry Hospital

About the museum

The hospital was built in 1860 and opened as the Dinorwic Slate Quarry Hospital in 1876. It treated quarry employees and their families and was paid for largely by the men's own contributions to a sick club, which gave free medical care, a weekly payment during sickness, and help with pensions and burial costs. It stands on level ground above the north-east shore of Llyn Padarn, a short distance from the National Slate Museum.

General surgery was carried out here until the 1940s, when the hospital became a first-aid centre. One of the earliest X-ray units in North Wales operated from the building. The hospital closed in 1962 and was restored to its nineteenth-century appearance by the county council, reopening as a museum in the late 1970s. The building is listed at Grade II*.

Visitors can see the ward, the operating theatre, the dispensary and original medical equipment, including the early X-ray machine, and a separate mortuary building a few steps from the main house. Parc Padarn runs the site, and the park's wardens are based there. While the National Slate Museum is closed for redevelopment, the Quarry Hospital is one of the places where Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales presents slate stories and family activities to visitors.

Highlights

• Victorian quarry hospital from 1860, listed Grade II*
• Ward, operating theatre and dispensary
• Original medical equipment, including an early X-ray machine
• Separate mortuary building
• Views over Llyn Padarn

Permanent exhibition

• The Quarry Hospital – Historic rooms and displays of medical equipment and practices used to treat quarrymen, including the ward, operating theatre and an early X-ray machine.

Operated by

Parc Padarn (Padarn Country Park)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The operator states that the hospital is accessible to visitors. There is no vehicle access to the hospital except for Blue Badge holders, who should contact Parc Padarn in advance to check that the access road is passable and that a space is available.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family activities such as seasonal trails and costumed storytelling about life in the hospital are held during school holidays; they are usually free.

Getting there & parking

There is no vehicle access to the hospital for visitors except Blue Badge holders.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit