Latest news with #GuinnessWorldRecordsTeam
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Wales Online
Something prehistoric lies under this huge Welsh headland
Something prehistoric lies under this huge Welsh headland Under this heather clad headland lie miles of eerie tunnels and hidden passageways Rising above the traditional seaside town of Llandudno, the Great Orme is a striking limestone headland (Image: Getty) Rising above the traditional seaside town of Llandudno, the Great Orme is a striking limestone headland with a prehistoric story buried beneath its heather-clad slopes. In the 12th Century, the Welsh poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr referred to it as Cyngreawdr Fynydd. Its English name, 'Great Orme,' comes from the Old Norse word for sea serpent, likely inspired by the headland's curving, serpentine shape as it juts into the sea. While the two-mile-long Great Orme is best known for its vintage tram and spectacular views from the 679ft (207m) summit, it has a hidden history you might not be aware of. This nature reserve headland is home to miles of underground copper mines, estimated to have produced enough copper to make nearly 2,000 tons of bronze. Great Orme Copper Mines in Llandudno (Image: David Powell) Over five miles of explored tunnels and passageways are here. In 2005, the Guinness World Records Team awarded them the title of 'The Largest Prehistoric Copper Mines in the World'. According to Historic UK, there were two main phases of mining here. The mine was first worked during the Bronze Age, around 4000 years ago, about the same time as Stonehenge was being built. The entrance to the Bronze Age Copper Mine on the Great Orme, Llandudno (Image: North Wales Weekly News) Back then, the miners used granite stone hammers brought up from the beach and animal bone to dig away at the copper ore. Most of the ore was malachite, a green mineral used in other parts of the world as eye make-up or paint; however, blue azurite, gold chalcopyrite, and even native copper may have been mined. Mining there resumed in the late 18th Century, producing a byzantine network of tunnels that plunged through the rock to sea level. While the mine was financially successful, it was constantly flooded. Eventually, the mines fell into disuse as coastal Llandudno became known more as a Victorian seaside resort than an industrial mining town. At the end of the 19th Century, the mine was covered up and forgotten about until the 1980s. The ancient maze of claustrophobic passageways filled with old mining tools and animal bones was discovered in 1987 during a landscaping scheme and has redefined perceptions of ancient Britain. Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mine was mined 3,500 years ago. (Image: Daily Post Wales) Miles of tunnels, passageways, and caverns wind through nine different subterranean levels and have been partly explored by mining engineers, cavers, and archaeologists. These intrepid explorers have been slowly uncovering more tunnels and large areas of the surface landscape to reveal what is now thought to be the largest prehistoric mine ever discovered in the world. Many of the tunnels are extremely narrow, leading experts to believe that young children probably mined some of them. For almost 40 years, the Great Orme Exploration Society (GOES) has been learning more about Llandudno's world-famous copper mines, including those underneath the Great Orme and the Ty Gwyn Copper Mine, opened in 1835 and producing ore worth £93,000 for over 12 years, but due to flooding, it closed in the 1850s. The Great Orme Copper Mines in Conwy (Image: deadmanjones (Creative Commons)) The Daily Post reports that GOES volunteers cleared an old rockfall in a ventilation shaft and hope to continue working towards the 300-foot-long Tyn y Fron shaft, which has been shut off for many years by another blockage. Opening up this part of the mine, still largely unexplored, was a key goal of the society when it was formed in 1985. Many of the tunnels are blocked off, but the society and volunteers constantly make discoveries in the accessible tunnels. Scores of artefacts have been recovered, from old Bovril jars to clay pipes and cow horns that held the black gunpowder used for blasting rock. The Orme Copper Mines (Image: John Lawson) Mine boots and clogs have been found in a corner, often near the end of a level being driven when the mine was abandoned. Bottles are commonplace, including one made by a Ruthin soda water company in the 1870s. In 2002, cavers also discovered a Bronze Age chamber containing 30 animal bone tools and over a dozen stone hammers untouched by human hand for millennia. While some sections of this historic mine are closed to the public, a section is open for self-guided tours as part of the Bronze Age mining experience that the kiddos will love. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Inside the Bronze Age copper mine on the Great Orme (Image: Handout) The Great Orme Mine tour takes around 45 minutes and includes the visitor centre, an introductory film, and a walk through eerie tunnels mined over 3,500 years ago. Here, you can imagine what conditions might have been like for miners back then in low-lit, tiny tunnels that were at risk of flooding. It's followed by a surface walk around the smelting shelter and opencast mine, the oldest part of the site, mined over 4,000 years ago. The 200m underground and dog-friendly visitor route takes you down two levels of the mine, accessed via a series of slopes and staircases. The temperature in the mine varies between 5°C and 8°C, so make sure you wrap up before you head down this historic mine. Kids will love the Great Orme Mine (Image: PM Photography) Make sure to pop into the visitor centre, which has a model of a village depicting life in the Bronze Age. You can also look at original 4,000-year-old Bronze Age artefacts and a selection of Bronze Age mining tools. Current ticket prices are £33.50 for a family ticket, and more information can be found on their website. Article continues below
Daily Mirror
29-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Fish and chip capital' that's perfect for tourists named top place to visit
If you're looking for a quintessential British seaside town that also offers mouth watering fish and chips then look no further than this Welsh coastal gem steeped in history There are few things better than tucking into a fresh tasty fish and chips on a warm night – and where better than a town known for its delicious take on the dish? The Welsh coast is famous for its rugged coastline, remote landscape and friendly charm, making it a popular spot for British staycations. However, not all resorts are created equally. While some focus on food and culture and others on arcades and amusements, this town manages to incorporate them all. Nestled in by the sea in Conwy, Llandudno offers the quintessential British seaside experience – with a Welsh flavour. Its pier is one of the longest in the UK and dates back to the 19th century. Aside from the stunning views, one of Llandudno's most popular draws includes its arcade, which features penny classics as well as more modern games – perfect to keep children entertained. If you're something of a history buff, you'll also be delighted to discover the ancient tunnels known as the Great Orm Mines, which date back 3500 years ago. In fact, in 2005, it was awarded the title of 'The Largest Prehistoric Copper Mines in the World' by the Guinness World Records Team. They're well-worth a visit. According to a TripAdvisor viewer: "A remarkable view into these 4000 year old mines. Take your time and follow the self-guided tour – don't just look ahead, especially when underground in the mines. Pause and look up, down and back the way you came. They added: "The sheer extent of this ancient industry powered only by human muscle is eye opening and very well presented." If you want to travel there, you can always get the Great Orme tram: the only cable-hauled tramway on a public road in Great Britain. It takes visitors all the way to the base of the Great Orme headland. Of course, if you're more of a beach-goer, there's always West Shore Beach. The curving expansive sand gives way to the breathtaking ruggedness of the Irish Sea and offers a chance to sit back and relax. It's a hotspot for adventure-seekers too, as the beach is in a great location for kite surfing and even wing foiling. For those who prefer a slower pace, it also opens up onto many gorgeous coastal paths. Of course, with all the exploring to be done, you'll likely want to fill up on some delicious British classics. As reported by The Guardian, Llandudno has been named the fish and chips capital of North Wales. Chish N Fips is one of the top rate fish and chips restaurants and is known for its fresh cod and mushy peas. According to one TripAdvisor reviewer: "My wife and I are fish and chip foodies. We are expert at knowing when the oil is clean, the cod is cod and fresh and the chips are from quality potatoes."
