The remains of mine buildings at Dolaucothi Gold Mines. (Image: National Trust)
The UK is home to many , but few are as fascinating as the abandoned hidden in the . The in Carmarthenshire date back over 2,000 years and were first extensively mined by the between 70 and 80 AD.
The site, now managed by the , is a who are intrigued by history, mining, and the eerie atmosphere of a place that has long been abandoned. They are believed to be the only in Britain, with evidence of the sophisticated techniques they used still visible today.
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The Mitchell Mine entrance at Dolaucothi Gold Mines. (Image: National Trust)
The Romans created large open-cast workings and dug tunnels using nothing but picks, hammers, and water power.
Visitors taking guided tours can still see some of the original pick marks left by workers almost two millennia ago.
It is not clear how the Romans first discovered gold at Dolaucothi, but their extensive trade routes across Wales may have led them to this valuable resource.
Shortly after arriving in Carmarthenshire, they built a military fort in what is now the village of Pumsaint and began extracting gold on a large scale.
By 125 AD, the Roman military presence was reduced, and the fort was abandoned, but mining activity in the area continued.
Roman coins found at the site suggest operations lasted well into the late fourth century before the gold mines were eventually abandoned.
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The National Trust offers guided tours of the mine. (Image: National Trust)
Centuries passed before serious mining efforts resumed. In the late 19th century, the South Wales Gold Mining Company attempted to make a fortune from the site but struggled due to the low concentration of gold in the ore.
In 1905, James Mitchell, who had experience in the South African gold rush, was brought in to reopen the mines.
His company, Ogofau Proprietary Gold Mining Company, saw initial success, but operations stopped by 1909 when no further discoveries were made.
The site changed hands multiple times in the following years, with mining companies continuing their attempts to extract gold.
In 1935, Roman Deep Ltd began an ambitious expansion of the mines, digging new tunnels and sinking deeper shafts.
It was during this time that miners made a big discovery – remnants of Roman mining activity, including wooden ladders, scaffolding, and a wooden water drainage wheel.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines will reopen for guided tours in March 2025. (Image: National Trust)
Despite modern machinery and advanced techniques, mining at Dolaucothi remained unprofitable.
By 1938, just a month after production had peaked, operations were halted. Within two years, the buildings were removed, and the mine shafts flooded, marking the end of gold mining at the site.
Today, Dolaucothi is a fascinating destination for dark tourism, with visitors eager to explore the underground tunnels and see the remains of centuries-old mining activity.
The National Trust offers guided tours where visitors can walk through the mines and learn about the Romans’ incredible engineering skills.
The landscape surrounding the site is also worth exploring, with scenic woodland walks available year-round.
Though little is known about what happened to all the gold extracted at Dolaucothi, a find in 1797 gave some clues.
A farmer ploughing his field near the mines discovered a collection of gold items, including a Roman gold serpent-headed bracelet. These artifacts are now part of the British Museum’s collection.
There are also links to the British Royal Family, with some gold from the site believed to have been used for royal jewelry, though most of the Royal Family’s Welsh gold comes from mines in Dolgellau.
For those interested in visiting, the Dolaucothi Gold Mines will reopen for guided tours in March 2025, with booking required in advance.
More information can be found .