If you’ve seen one cave, you’ve seen them all right? Well, no actually. Particularly if you are visiting the many varied caves in North Wales.

The eclectic geography of the region means that the many caverns and caves in North Wales each have their own unique story to tell. These differences have only been exacerbated by human endeavours over the centuries, with some of the caves in North Wales having been transformed by industrial demands during the Victorian era, and more recently turned into fun filled visitor attraction to accommodate the needs of the area's growing hospitality industry. 

To help you better understand the many different cave experiences in North Wales, we’ve put together a short selection highlighting the best caves in North Wales to visit the next time that you are staying with us at Marine Holiday Park.

1. Sygun Copper Mine (Beddgelert)

Despite some small-scale operations during the Roman times, it wasn’t until the industrial revolution that the copper mining operations in the region became big business.

By the end of the 19th century, the Sygun Copper Mines in Beddgelert had become the main source of minerals in Wales and one of the largest employers in the region. However, by 1903 the natural supplies in the caverns had largely been exhausted leading to its closure and the loss of countless jobs.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and the remains of the caverns were transformed into a fascinating visitor centre which provided tourists with an insight into the working lives of the miners who had worked in the region during it heyday. 

You can now enter these caverns for yourself, wandering through the winding tunnels and exploring the colourful chambers with their impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. The accompanying self guided audio visual tours add extra meat to the bones, providing unique insights that you won’t hear anywhere else. 

2. Zip World (Betws-y-Coed)

If a historic tour isn’t quite your idea of fun, then you might prefer the adrenaline fuelled frolics that are available at Zip World’s Llechwedd site. Here you will find a range of world firsts including the world’s first underground crazy golf course and a fantastic underground trampoline course which covers an area twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. 

The underground activities are of course unaffected by weather conditions and available in all seasons. This means that your plans for a day out are not likely to be cancelled at the last minute due to adverse weather conditions, as is sometimes the case at some of Zip World’s other destinations.

3. Go Below (Betws-y-Coed)

Another Betws-y-Coed cave based adventure awaits you at Go Below where you can take part in a series of underground caving and mine exploration trips that make Zip World look like child's play.

These are certainly not for the faint hearted, with even the most basic Go Below Challenge consisting of roughly five hours of zip lining, rock climbing, abseiling and boating in the caves located close to Conwy Falls. You’ll be kitted up with a harness, helmet and wellington boots before you set off to ensure your safety. 

The next level up from this is the Go Below Hero Xtreme challenge which takes place inside the largest and deepest slate mine in the world. During the Victorian era, Quarrymen who worked in the mines Christened it “The Slaughter House” due to its reputation for danger. During this six hour challenge you will cross ziplines and bridges, climb ladders and walk along ancient ledges amidst the backdrop of derelict machinery and terrifying drops. 

If you really want to test your limits, then you should take on the Go Below Ultimate Extreme where you will traverse over 5 km of underground caverns over roughly seven hours of adventure which combines all of the above, plus a little bit more. This includes traversing the longest underground zipline in the world. 

4. King Arthur's Labyrinth (Machynlleth)

If you would prefer something a little more sedate, then you may be interested in the family friendly King Arthur’s Labyrinth in Machynlleth. These caves in North Wales have been turned into the ultimate underground fantasy world devoted to the re-telling of legends about King Arthur.

You will pass through a mythical waterfall and be taken by boat to the tunnels beneath the Snowdonia mountains where you’ll follow a hooded dark age boatman as he guides you through the winding tunnels. Along the way you’ll meet fascinating characters and pick up clues so that you can complete the quiz at the end of the tour and earn your award.

If you are looking for things to do with children in North Wales, then this is the perfect all weather attraction. Once you have completed the adventure, you can then treat yourselves to something to eat in the Corris Cafe where highlights include their freshly cooked baked bread and sensational coffee which is served by trained baristas. 

5. Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines (Llandudno)

Located slightly closer to Marine Holiday Park are the Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines in Llandudno. This is a far more traditional cave based adventure, with tourists completing a self guided tour walking through the tunnels which were mined out by our ancestors over 3,500 years ago.

As you traverse through the tunnels you will gain a greater appreciation of the challenges our ancestors faced in their search for copper in this region. You’ll also see how past generations turned rock into metal at the smelting shelter and have the opportunity to ask members of the excavation team questions that you are dying to have the answers to. 

This is also one of the few dog friendly caves in North Wales, ensuring that all members of your family can get involved in this fascinating tour.