Dolaucothi Gold Mines

One of the wonderful views from a walk around Dolaucothi

© Keith Morris

A very special site

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are this country's very best wildlife and geographical sites. They include some of the most spectacular and beautiful habitats in Britain.

Dolaucothi has been designated as both a geological and biological SSSI.
As well as being the only known Roman gold mine in Britain, Dolaucothi is the first recorded place featuring a rare mineral called cookeite. It's found in part of the mine that's now flooded.

What you'll find here

The oak woods, willow carrs - areas of wet willow woodland - and rocks surrounding the mines include a large number of mosses, lichens, liverwort and fern species. Some are only found in a few locations in Wales. 

CADW, the Welsh heritage organisation, has declared The Dolaucothi Goldmines as an Ancient Monument.  This means that the area's archaeology is protected by law. No excavations can take place without permission from CADW.

Fungi and ferns at Dolaucothi