Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3NB
No one comes out of this newly revamped and relaunched Deep Mine Tour without feeling profoundly touched by the extraordinary story of Llechwedd’s Victorian miners.
Llechwedd’s deep mine tour – which takes you down 500ft into the belly of the mountain on one of the steepest cable railways in the world – makes use of extraordinary light projections, enhanced reality technology and explosive special effects to bring to life the harsh experience of the men and boys who worked deep under the Snowdonia mountains in the 19th century.
Traditional storytelling is a key feature: Llechwedd’s expert local guides, many of whom have multi-generational family links to the slate industry and incredible family stories of their own, accompany visitors around the mine’s caverns and tunnels on the hour-long tour.
Expect a gripping story full of humour, poignancy, lots of interactivity and a grand finale that features a beautiful male voice choir. An experience that will stay with you for a long time after you emerge back into the daylight.
Also recommended at Llechwedd: the Off Road 4x4 Quarry Explorer Tour. Explore the hand built slate mounds - up to 1400ft - and panoramic views across Snowdonia. Much of the old infrastructure is still there - abandoned wheel houses, cabans, rusting pulleys and carts. Atmospheric and quite wonderful.
