Visiting Llanfair Slate Caverns
On our trip to Wales one of the last days out we had was to Llanfair Slate Caverns, near Harlech, mainly picked to avoid the rain! Mainly indoors – or actually underground – it’s a great place to hide from rain showers.
What are Llanfair Slate Caverns?
Llanfair Slate Caverns are home to a now disused slate mine. The slate in the mine is among the oldest in the world and many industrial towns in Britain and Ireland have their original roofs made from Llanfair slate.
The nine connected caverns were all made over 100 years ago – with only a candle for lighting! There so many different tunnels and chambers to explore on a self guided tour.
When you arrive at Llanfair Slate Caverns you pop into the shop where you pay your entrance fee and are given hard hats. There are different sizes available and they are mandatory – you really wouldn’t want to venture into the caverns without one!
The self guided tour at Llanfair Slate Caverns
To enter the mine you descend Jacobs Ladder and work your way through a main tunnel, under twin arches of the crypt and into a vast and lofty cathedral cavern. Through the maze of tunnels and chambers you can see the old drilling holes and scratch marks from miners of years long gone by.
During your visit you learn about the slate in the mine, how it was mined, how the mine was constructed and the work that went on every day in the mine. There are lights to help you see your way – although some parts are very dark – and even the sound of miners at work is played as you explore, bringing the caverns to life.
You are able to spend as long as you like in the caverns. When you’re done, you can appreciate the view of Cardigan Bay, buy refreshments or wander around the shop – maybe even buying some Cave Aged Cheddar to take home with you.
We loved our visit to Llanfair Slate Caverns. It felt like we were really immersed in mining life and truly appreciated for the first time where slate actually comes from. It was fun but educational too and we all really enjoyed it.
You can find out more about Llanfair Slate Caverns over on their website and for reference the address is: Cae Gethin Farm, Harlech LL46 2SA. It’s also right next door to the Children’s Farm Park if you want to extend your visit.
