Bangor Blue (Penrhyn) Slate

Bangor Blue Slate is Cambrian in age (approximately 520 million years old) and has been quarried near Bethesda, North Wales since Roman times. The name Bangor Blue comes from the fact that the slate was shipped from the port of Bangor, North Wales. Penrhyn Quarry has been worked since the 1700's, is still active and is considered by many to be the largest slate quarry in the world. The slate is generally blue to purple in colour and is extremely durable. It has been used throughout the United Kingdom and shipped as far as Australia