A Growing Slate Industry

In the 16th and 17th centuries small quantities of slate were exported from Pembrokeshire to Bristol and Ireland, and in 1603 George Owen recorded that there was then well-established and extensive slate quarrying around Newport and Nevern.

There is evidence of an industry beginning to develope at the end of the 18th Century with slate production taking place near Cilgerran and at Glogue in the North East of the County. At this time the majority of the products were roofing slates.

In the 1790's the slate industry took off in North Wales and this had a big impact on the trade of Pembrokeshire slates. The slate produced at quarries in North Wales was of a higher quality and the closeness of the market meant that they could compete much more than any Pembrokeshire producers. This increased competition saw a fall in the production of Pembrokeshire roofing slates and a rise in slate slabs.

Due to the implementation of coastal taxes and the high shipping coasts, the Pembrokeshire Slate Industry did not change a great deal for nearly half a century. It was not until the mid 19th Century that slate from the County's quarries began to become more popular and this resulted in more sites being opened up.

The industry grew again in the 1860's when cheaper roofing slates like those produced in Pembrokeshire became in demand and the price rose significantly. The prices continued to rise through the 1870's and at the peak of production there were over 50 quarries being worked around the County.