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Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'World's first' underwater museum to open in Wales quarry
An abandoned slate quarry in north Wales that's been submerged underwater for the last 20 years is set to open up as an underwater museum. Vivian Quarry in Gwynedd, once part of the world's second-largest slate mine, is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's been quietly flooded for two decades, hiding old mining buildings, tools and even a circular blast shelter beneath 19 meters of water. Soon, the historic site will be accessible to the public, where visitors as young as ten will be able to dive in and explore the ruins of the former quarry. Following its closure in 1960, the quarry has been open to experienced divers for the past 12 years. However, thanks to new technology developed by XPLOR Group, anyone - including complete beginners and kids - will be able explore the museum with no prior scuba training after a 10-minute safety briefing. The diving centre, run by Scuba Scape, is opening up this summer and promises a 'world first' experience. Speaking to North Wales Live, a spokesperson from Scuba Scape said: 'Our collaboration [with XPLOR Group] has led to the commercialisation of a unique underwater gaming programme and innovative technology. 'Over the past eight months, we have implemented intense safety procedures and conducted rigorous testing of every component in some of the harshest underwater conditions.' In addition to its museum features, the site will also host a one-of-a-kind underwater escape room, allowing divers to participate in interactive games as they tour the remains of the quarry. Bookings are expected to open soon on Scuba Scape's website, with tickets priced at £73.36. It comes after a lesser-known theme park in the UK that costs just £13.95 to enter has been hailed one of the best in the world - and you can even bring your pooch along for the ride. The Milky Way Adventure Park, located in North Devon, offers a mix of indoor and outdoor rides, shows, activities and play areas at a fraction of the cost of its big-name competitors. The amusement park was first launched as a farm attraction in July 1984 by the Stanbury family, but it has since grown in size and popularity with around £2 million invested in new attractions and upgrades over recent years.
Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
'World first' underwater museum to open in Welsh quarry
'World first' underwater museum to open in Welsh quarry The new attraction will be suitable for children as young as 10 to visit and has an escape room A circular blast shelter remains in the flooded quarry (Image: Dave Phillips/Phoenix Watersports ) A Welsh quarry is set to host a groundbreaking underwater museum and escape room, hailed as a "world-first". Unlike other similar attractions globally, both will be easily accessible to visitors, with children as young as 10 able to participate. Local diving operators plan to use innovative technologies at Vivian Quarry, Llanberis, to deliver "next-level adventures". They aim to not only thrill visitors but also showcase Wales' rich heritage on a global stage. Located on the edge of Eryri, the quarry is part of the vast Dinorwig slate complex, which was once the world's second-largest slate mine. A 10-tonne winch machine has been rescued, restored, and relocated at Vivian Quarry as part of the new attractions. Since the quarry's closure in 1960, rainfall and underwater springs have flooded it to a depth of 19 metres, submerging old buildings and mining equipment. The site has become an extraordinary time capsule, showcasing the remnants of an industry that once supplied roofing materials worldwide. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The site has become an extraordinary time capsule (Image: Dave Phillips/Phoenix Watersports ) Article continues below Experienced divers have explored the quarry's depths for the past 12 years, but it is now hoped that this hidden world can be opened up to visitors without requiring specialist scuba diving knowledge. Phoenix Watersports, which operates diving activities at Vivian Quarry, is run by Leanne Clowes and her wife Clare Clowes who reside in Llangefni, Anglesey, reports North Wales Live. They have recently entered into a partnership with the XPLOR Group, a consultancy firm led by a CEO with experience in the oil and gas industry. It features an escape room (Image: Dave Phillips/Phoenix Watersports ) Phoenix Watersports said: "This background has provided access to sophisticated offshore and deep-water technologies. "Our collaboration has led to the commercialisation of a unique underwater gaming programme and innovative technology. This enables individuals as young as 10 to dive in as little as 10 minutes after a safety briefing. "Over the past eight months, we have implemented intense safety procedures and conducted rigorous testing of every component in some of the harshest underwater conditions." Phoenix Watersports also emphasised their commitment to inclusivity: "Additionally, we are committed to accessibility. We are currently researching and testing for possible future growth into our underwater museum to allow full accessibility to everyone. The XPLOR partners and our team are dedicated to revitalising the quarry through substantial capital investments, ensuring a bright future for Vivian Quarry as a hub of adventure and innovation." The Scuba Escape, an escape room concept, was initially introduced at the quarry in 2021 amidst the pandemic. Aimed at proficient scuba divers, it featured six games, each lasting 240 minutes, that challenged diving skills such as buoyancy and navigation. The new attraction will provide a completely different way to explore the depths of the quarry, eliminating the need for specialised scuba diver training – although the partners are keeping mum about the technology involved. The site is conveniently located just 100ft from Llanberis Lake Railway station and the National Slate Museum beyond. Around the quarry's tree-fringed lake, massive rock slabs reflect on its tranquil waters. Along with industrial remnants, the lake hides various oddities beneath its surface, ranging from a miniature submarine to a skeleton and a whimsical gnome garden. A spectral quarryman lurks in the depths, and there are even a few fish - predominantly European eels but also brown trout. At the core of the quarry's operations was an impressive Blondin and winch machine, an overhead pulley system used for transporting slate blocks. Installed around 1870 to enhance productivity, it transformed the handling of heavy materials. Initially powered by steam, the machine transitioned to electricity in the 1950s. While it remains in excellent condition, nature has started to reclaim the building that houses it next to the lake. After the roof collapsed, immediate measures were required to preserve it before it was irretrievably lost. The restored winch machine on its new plinth (Image: Dave Phillips/Phoenix Watersports ) Phoenix Watersports said: "Relocating the winch machine presented significant challenges, particularly as it weighed over 10 tonnes – the weight was unknown before the actual lift! It was situated beneath a collapsed roof and close to the water's edge leaving not much room for the crane to operate in. "A large team of specialists undertook this enormous task, which took 14 hours to complete, even with machinery prepared in advance. The first step involved carefully removing the slate roof – a formidable task due to its substantial weight. Once cleared, the original wooden beams supporting the structure were dismantled. "The machine was meticulously disassembled into four major components, each identified by clear break points for unscrewing. The largest wheel weighed around 3.5 tonnes, while the base weighed 4.5 tonnes." The preservation of the original structure was key during the extraction. Each part was removed one by one, ensuring that the base plate and timber beams remained intact. Phoenix Watersports noted, "Remarkably, our team encountered minimal resistance when unscrewing the massive nuts and bolts, underscoring the machine's excellent condition and integrity despite years of inactivity,". After reassembling the components at the new site, the team also discovered historical items from the Victorian era. "These components were then reassembled in their new display location, maintaining the integrity of their original arrangement. During the mobilisation of the machinery, we also uncovered a number of relics such as victorian aged glass bottles, tools, and the heating system for when the machine was steam powered." Article continues below Further information regarding the upcoming plans for Vivian Quarry and its innovative features can be found on the Scuba Scape website here. Visitors to the site will be prompted to join a mailing list for regular updates. The hope is that escape room activities will be up and running by this summer.
North Wales Live
22-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
'World first' underwater museum and gaming site to open at famous Eryri slate quarry
A 'world-first' underwater museum and escape room are to launch in a Gwynedd slate quarry. Unlike similar ventures around the world, both attractions will be easily accessible with youngsters as young as 10 able to take part after a brief introduction. Diving operators say they will be using new technologies at Vivian Quarry, Llanberis, to bring 'next-level adventures' to the site. They hope the twin ventures will also showcase Welsh heritage to the world. The quarry, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) is part of the vast Dinorwig slate complex, once the world's second largest slate mine. For the new attractions, a winch machine weighing more than 10 tonnes has been rescued, renovated and relocated at Vivian Quarry. Since the Gwynedd slate quarry closed in 1960, rain and underwater springs have filled it 19 metres deep, covering old buildings and mining equipment. The site is now an extraordinary time capsule for an industry that once roofed the world. For the past 12 years, experienced divers have been able to explore the quarry's depths but it's now hoped this lost world can be opened up to visitors without any specialist scuba diving knowledge. Diving operations at Vivian Quarry are run by Phoenix Watersports, whose owners Leanne Clowes and wife Clare Clowes live in Llangefni, Anglesey. They've now partnered with the XPLOR Group, a consultancy whose CEO has a background in the oil and gas sector. 'This background has provided access to sophisticated offshore and deep-water technologies,' said Phoenix Watersports. 'Our collaboration has led to the commercialisation of a unique underwater gaming programme and innovative technology. This enables individuals as young as 10 to dive in as little as 10 minutes after a safety briefing. Over the past eight months, we have implemented intense safety procedures and conducted rigorous testing of every component in some of the harshest underwater conditions. 'Additionally, we are committed to accessibility. We are currently researching and testing for possible future growth into our underwater museum to allow full accessibility to everyone. The XPLOR partners and our team are dedicated to revitalising the quarry through substantial capital investments, ensuring a bright future for Vivian Quarry as a hub of adventure and innovation.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now An escape room concept, Scuba Escape, was first launched at the quarry in 2021 during the pandemic. Pitched at skilled scuba divers, this featured six, 240-minute games which tested diving skills such as buoyancy and navigation. The new attraction will offer an entirely different means of descending into the quarry's depths, obviating the need for specialised scuba diver training – though the partners are staying tight-lipped about the technology involved. The site lies just 100ft from Llanberis Lake Railway station and the National Slate Museum beyond. Around the quarry's tree-lined lake, vast slabs of rock are mirrored on its still waters. As well as industrial relics, curiosities are submerged beneath its waters, from a miniature submarine to a skeleton and a surreal gnome garden. A ghostly quarryman haunts the depths and there's even a few fish - mostly European eels but also brown trout. At the heart of the quarry's operations was a remarkable Blondin and winch machine, an overhead pulley system for transporting slate blocks. Installed around 1870, to boost productivity, it revolutionised the movement of heavy materials. Originally steam-powered, the machine switched to electricity in the 1950s. While it remains in excellent condition, nature has begun to reclaim the building housing it next to the lake. Once the roof collapsed, urgent action was needed to preserve it before it was lost forever. Phoenix Watersports said: 'Relocating the winch machine presented significant challenges, particularly as it weighed over 10 tonnes – the weight was unknown before the actual lift! It was situated beneath a collapsed roof and close to the water's edge leaving not much room for the crane to operate in. 'A large team of specialists undertook this enormous task, which took 14 hours to complete, even with machinery prepared in advance. The first step involved carefully removing the slate roof – a formidable task due to its substantial weight. Once cleared, the original wooden beams supporting the structure were dismantled. "The machine was meticulously disassembled into four major components, each identified by clear break points for unscrewing. The largest wheel weighed around 3.5 tonnes, while the base weighed 4.5 tonnes.' Each part was extracted sequentially, ensuring that the original base plate and timber beams were preserved. 'Remarkably, our team encountered minimal resistance when unscrewing the massive nuts and bolts, underscoring the machine's excellent condition and integrity despite years of inactivity,' said the company. 'These components were then reassembled in their new display location, maintaining the integrity of their original arrangement. During the mobilisation of the machinery, we also uncovered a number of relics such as victorian aged glass bottles, tools, and the heating system for when the machine was steam powered.' More details about future plans for Vivian Quarry and its innovations are on the Scuba Scape website here. You'll be asked to sign up to a mailing list for updates. Its hoped escape room activities will be operational this summer.
