The £5m renovation of the Victorian quarry village will be unveiled, including four-star accommodation, a new access road, a function room for conferences, weddings and events as well as new heritage displays with a 1910 period house.

Backed with £3.8m from the Welsh Assembly Government, including the European Regional Development Fund, the redevelopment has taken three years and is aimed at generating investment for the North Wales economy, attracting some 25,000 visitors last year alone and now employing 15 full time staff.

Further funding has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Linbury Foundation, the Pantyfedwen Foundation, Gwynedd County Council, Hansen plc and donations from individuals.

First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said: “Nant Gwrtheyrn is a centre of national and international significance, as well as an important local employer. The new facilities will attract many more day visitors, tourists and local visitors for learning and to enjoy its unique location bringing greater economic benefits to the area."

Also due to be unveiled is a new track and path to improve accessibility from the village to the Nant Gwrtheyrn beach. This work is being undertaken by Gwynedd County Council with support from the European Regional Development Fund and is part of a number of projects to increase access to the coast and to create an All Wales Coastal path by 2012.

Carl Clowes, the founder of the Nant Gwrtheyrn Trust, said: “The rebirth of the village provides a much-needed boost for local employment and confidence. Significantly, we now have a local and national facility for Welsh learners and an attraction, second to none, for residential and day visitors.”

Another aspect of the redevelopment is the installation of ground source and air source heat pumps, solar panels and a new water treatment plant to enable eco friendly control of energy and recycling of rain water for all water useage at the centre.

Dan Clayton-Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, which invested more than £550,000 into the project, said: “We supported this project to help local people and visitors alike to learn more about Nant Gwrtheyrn’s heritage, from the area’s quarrying industry past to the history of the Welsh language.

“Funding has also created new opportunities for local volunteers, including skills training in building conservation, oral history, customer care and film making. These skills give people the power to help take what matters to them locally and make sure that it lasts into the future.”

Further information

Non Jones on 029 2082 1823 or Anne Jones on 0300 062 5478.

Nant Gwrtheyrn website