In the peak season, the National Trust offers tours of these Roman and Victorian-era mines (Image: Portia Jones)
While the UK is full of headline attractions and popular historical sites that draw people from all over the world, there are loads of lesser-known spots that don’t get the attention they deserve. And one lies hidden in the wooded hills of Carmarthenshire, where the Romans were mining gold more than 2,000 years ago.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines, the only known Roman gold mine in the UK, is now cared for by the National Trust and offers the rare chance to explore ancient workings without having to trespass. Travel journalist Portia Jones said she “had barely heard this place mentioned” but that once she did she “had to investigate”.
Writing on WalesOnline, Portia said: “Visiting feels like stepping into a very damp, immersive history lesson. On a guided tour, you can pull on a hard hat, disappear underground with an enthusiastic guide, and wander through atmospheric tunnels surrounded by woodland and mining relics.
Dolaucothi is known as a Roman-era mine, though archaeologists have suggested that gold extraction on this site may have started sometime in the Bronze Age (Image: Portia Jones)
“On my tour, I learned that the Romans mined here on an industrial scale, and commercial mining continued until the 20th century, but now the only prospectors are tourists who aren’t afraid to go underground to learn more about one of Wales’s most precious resources.”
Rare and very expensive, Welsh gold has a long history and is also rather hard to come by. There is a tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings, started by the Queen Mother in 1923 and used by royal brides ever since.
The Queen Mother’s wedding ring, the Queen’s in 1947, Princess Margaret’s in 1960, the Princess Royal’s in 1973 and that of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981 were all made from the same nugget.
The overlooked Dolaucothi mine in Wales (Image: Portia Jones)
According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), there are 23 gold mines in Wales, each with its own unique history and features. Dolaucothi is known as a Roman-era mine, though Archaeologists have suggested that gold extraction on this site may have started sometime in the Bronze Age.
The National Trust states that between 70AD and 80AD, the Romans began the first extensive mining at Dolaucothi, creating large open-cast workings and digging several tunnels (adits) to exploit the gold veins. Most of this was remarkably achieved using nothing more than picks and hammers in what must have been very hard and tiring labour. Some of the original pick marks, which are almost 2,000 years old, can still be seen on their Roman Tour.
Portia said: “No one really knows how the Romans first found or heard about Dolaucothi, though we do know that the precious metals yielded in Britain, and in particular Wales, were a reason for their invasion.”
The Romans did not remain in the area for very long, however. In 125 AD, the Roman military largely abandoned the fort, but there is evidence of continued activity in the area, as evidenced by discoveries of Roman coins dating to the late 4th century.
Mining in Wales has a much longer history than many people realise. Dr Toby Driver, Aerial Investigator for the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales, points out that mining in Wales began before the Romans arrived.
He said: “Many mining sites have their origins in the prehistoric Bronze Age, while others were started in late Medieval times; together these mines represent centuries of history and human endeavour.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines (Image: National Trust Images/John Millar)
“Visitors to the region can see some incredible mine sites very close to the road in places like Cwmystwyth, at Pontrhydgroes via the Miner’s Bridge, and on a drive around the Nant y Moch reservoir or along the Rheidol Valley.”
Mining on this site continued into the 20th century, ending in 1938. Documented mining activity opened with small-scale work from about 1853, with two major phases of activity from 1888-1912 and from 1938-9.
In the peak season, the National Trust offers tours of these Roman and Victorian-era mines, where you can step back in time and imagine what life must have been like for a miner.
Your guide will explain how the Romans left behind glimpses of their gold-mining methods and how the harsh mining environment persisted into the 19th and 20th centuries, culminating in 1938.
Your guide will explain how the Romans left behind glimpses of their gold-mining method (Image: Portia Jones)
Portia said: “It really is an impressive skill to bring dark and eerie caves to life. The guides paint a vivid picture of life underground and the hardships and challenges miners would have faced over the centuries.
“The National Trust has also done an excellent job of preserving the site’s remoteness and authenticity, rather than turning it into an overly gaudy tourist attraction. You can also have a go at gold panning and experience the frustrations of searching for real gold.
“Places like Dolaucothi are a reminder that some of Wales’s greatest joys are found far from the gift shops and Instagram queues. There is something deeply satisfying about visiting somewhere that isn’t super crowded, learning its story from a passionate guide, and realising you have accidentally stumbled into 2,000 years of history. If you are planning a Wales bucket list for 2026, this understated mine definitely deserves a place on it.”
Note that the mines close seasonally for winter (typically Nov-Feb), so check the National Trust website for exact dates and to book 2026 tours in advance, as they are popular.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
