Great Orme Mines

The Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines were uncovered in 1987 during a local government scheme to landscape this area of the Great Orme.

The secret copper mines discovered below the ground are one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of recent times! Dating back from 4,000 years to the Bronze Age they legitimately change academics' views of the ancient people of Britain and their unique society some 2,000 years before even the Romans invaded!

Over the past 3 decades dedicated mining engineers, cavers and archaeologists have been slowly and surely uncovering more and more tunnels plus restoring large areas of the surface landscape to reveal what is now believed to be the largest Prehistoric mine discovered in the whole world!

As well as the tour kids can also observe traditional methods of working the copper at the smelting shelter. It takes about 50 minutes to do the tour and there are 35 steps which must be negotiated down and back up again, so give little legs and mobility issues due consideration while planning.

Even if you have some folks stop above ground they can enjoy gazing 145m down into Vivian's shaft and get some perspective on things nonetheless!