Visitor attraction bid for 'alien planet' site to boost Anglesey tourism
Updated plans have been revealed for a £640,000 museum and visitor centre at an old copper mine. Parys Mountain has long been one of Anglesey's biggest attractions, luring thousands of visitors each year to marvel at its multi-coloured Martian landscape.
The site, near Amlwch, has been mined since the Bronze Age but it has been inactive for the last century. Its history was told by the Copper Kingdom museum, which is currently looking for a new home after it failed to reach a new lease agreement for its former base in nearby Amwlch Port.
Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust (AIHT) is currently seeking funds to relocate the museum to Parys Mountain. Backers include the likes of The Marquess of Anglesey and TV presenter Sian Lloyd, whose great-great grandfather worked at the mine.
AIHT has now released the initial artist impressions of how the venture might look. The visitor centre will contain an exhibition space, a study area, a gift shop and café. There will also be toilets, storage facilities and an external viewing platform.
Developed in consultation with heritage body Cadw, the designs show a single-story structure made from inter-connected shipping containers.
AIHT said the proposed use of shipping containers was a 'nod to the site's industrial past'. It will also enable greater flexibility, said the Trust. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
AIHT chair Mike Williams said the planned centre will support the region's economic development while promoting a location that has 'remarkable importance to Welsh culture'. The new centre will pair copper mining objects with the landscape of Parys Mountain 'where they belong', he added.
'We've long-believed that a purpose-built home for Copper Kingdom set against the backdrop of Parys Mountain would be game-changing for the museum,' said Mr Williams. These visuals really bring that ambition to life.
'Whilst we're still at a very early stage in the process, we are excited about what the future holds and hope these images will show people the scale of our ambition for the collection.'
It is hoped the visitor centre, and an upgraded programme of activities, will be in place by June 2026. However, concerns have been expressed about the implications for the site's car park and its heritage trail.
Both are currently free. Online, one local said: 'I like the idea of some development but I worry that one of the last free places to visit here on Ynys Môn will start charging for parking.' If this happens, she claims the site will be 'spoilt for locals who enjoy daily walks'.
AIHT said it is planning to update the local heritage trail and this will remain free for visitors. The Trust added online: 'The existing car park has no need to be expanded in the vision so not an issue here.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
Some locals would actually support charging if it enables improved facilities on the mountain. One idea put forward is a short, guided underground tour. 'Nothing dangerous,' said one man on social media.
'Just enough for people to understand the working conditions of the miners and create ambience. It would also create a unique selling point additional to the open cast and surrounding landscape.'
Parys Mountain is already a popular destination for heritage, geology and biodiversity tourists. Its surreal landscapes also attract filmmakers - it recently featured as an 'alien planet' on Netflix's Black Mirror series.
Others backing the new visitor centre are Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and a host of academics. Anglesey MP Llinos Medi is another supporter. She said: 'This initiative has the potential to significantly improve the understanding, appreciation and engagement with the rich heritage of north Anglesey.
'Given this site's international heritage status and potential for this development to act as a flagship cultural and environmental flagship, I strongly encourage all relevant authorities and stakeholders to back this initiative.'
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