Corris Mine Explorers

Place to visit
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Exploring the abandoned Welsh Slate Mine with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
Exploring the abandoned Welsh Slate Mine with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
Exploring the abandoned Welsh Slate Mine with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
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Corris Mine Explorers - History, Adventure, Discovery and Fun.
Corris Mine Explorers - History, Adventure, Discovery and Fun.
Corris Mine Explorers - History, Adventure, Discovery and Fun.
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The "orange waterfall" deep underground in Corris Mine Explorers.
The "orange waterfall" deep underground in Corris Mine Explorers.
The "orange waterfall" deep underground in Corris Mine Explorers.
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Victorian graffiti found in the abandoned slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers
Victorian graffiti found in the abandoned slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers
Victorian graffiti found in the abandoned slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers
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Climbing through an underground hole, these parts of the trip are optional.
Climbing through an underground hole, these parts of the trip are optional.
Climbing through an underground hole, these parts of the trip are optional.
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Remains of the narrow gauge rail track used to transport Welsh slate out of the mine.
Remains of the narrow gauge rail track used to transport Welsh slate out of the mine.
Remains of the narrow gauge rail track used to transport Welsh slate out of the mine.
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Exploring the old Braich Goch slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers.
Exploring the old Braich Goch slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers.
Exploring the old Braich Goch slate mine with Corris Mine Explorers.
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Inspecting an old mining winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Inspecting an old mining winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Inspecting an old mining winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
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Using safety ropes to explore the abandoned Braich Goch slate mine in Mid Wales
Using safety ropes to explore the abandoned Braich Goch slate mine in Mid Wales
Using safety ropes to explore the abandoned Braich Goch slate mine in Mid Wales
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About to enter the Braich Goch slate mine, as the miners did, on a Corris Mine Explorers trip.
About to enter the Braich Goch slate mine, as the miners did, on a Corris Mine Explorers trip.
About to enter the Braich Goch slate mine, as the miners did, on a Corris Mine Explorers trip.
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Mark Waite - the Corris Mine Explorers guide banging the blade.
Mark Waite - the Corris Mine Explorers guide banging the blade.
Mark Waite - the Corris Mine Explorers guide banging the blade.
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Old cigarette packets discarded by the miners found in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
Old cigarette packets discarded by the miners found in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
Old cigarette packets discarded by the miners found in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
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An old clay pipe perfectly preserved in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
An old clay pipe perfectly preserved in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
An old clay pipe perfectly preserved in the old Braich Goch slate mine.
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Exploring on a Taster trip with a hard hat and hand torch.
Exploring on a Taster trip with a hard hat and hand torch.
Exploring on a Taster trip with a hard hat and hand torch.
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Exploring and discovering with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
Exploring and discovering with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
Exploring and discovering with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales.
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Operating an old winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Operating an old winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Operating an old winch on a Corris Mine Explorers visit.
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Exploring, discovering and having fun with Corris Mine Explorers
Exploring, discovering and having fun with Corris Mine Explorers
Exploring, discovering and having fun with Corris Mine Explorers
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Clipping onto the safety ropes on a 2 hour Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Clipping onto the safety ropes on a 2 hour Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Clipping onto the safety ropes on a 2 hour Corris Mine Explorers visit.
Visit Website

Overview

Opened in 1836, the Braich Goch Slate Mine was once a bustling, noisy and dirty place to work. Today, it's a fascinating adventure deep underground with one of Britain's best mine explorers. Adventurers get kitted up with a helmet, safety ropes and a lamp, before entering the virtually untouched underground workings left behind when the mine closed in the 1970s.

Reviews

I booked the half day tour as a present for my partner, he's been keen to get further into a mine and learn more. This trip was so much more than either of us had expected, our heads were whirling with knowledge and excitement by the end. We had no idea where the 4 hours went, they just whirled by filled with exploring the caves and everything we learnt about the mines and the history of the place. Mr Mole is an absolutely brilliant guide, all you could want - funny, full of knowledge and passion for his mines, but also makes you feel safe and in good hands. (There are lots of hidden safety features that dont tame the experience but ensure its super safe and fully prepared for any worse case scenario, which is highly unlikely anyway but made me feel better!) He kept us entertained and shared his polo mints :) I myself was a tad nervous about spending 4 hours underground, but I totally forgot any of that immediately as I was just so interested in everything we saw and were being told. Mr Mole knows exactly what he is doing! We felt like we got so much value, and this trip has been one of the highlights, by far, during our time in Wales. Would highly recommend, and we will definitely be back!

Tetley Teai

We visited the Corris Mine Explorers a few days ago and really enjoyed ourselves. Our guide, 'Moley', was extremely enthusiastic and personable. He made us all laugh and taught us lots about the mine (quarry). They provide wellies for you at the start of the trip as well as a hard hat with head torch. We walked into the mine together and explored narrow tunnels that open up into very large mined caverns. We scrambled over piles of loose slate, traversed narrow ledges (while attached securely to safety ropes), and learned about the history of the mine. A really interesting and enjoyable afternoon. We went on the 2 hour trip, but I would happily go back another time for the 4 hour version as we only saw part of one level but the are 8 levels to explore! A highly recommended trip.

TomD

Going to a Slate mine in the side of a Welsh mountain would be extraordinary enough, but doing it with Mark/Moley, one of the country's most experienced caving and mine experts, was sublimely fantastic. Mark has that rare knack of brilliant humour sitting on top of vast knowledge of geology, mines, caves and the subterranean in general. My wife and I had a riveting two hour tour, with just enough scare factor to make it feel like an authentic adventure. DO NOT MISS THIS when you visit mid/north Wales. A phenomenal and brilliant experience which was very personal and real rather than manufactured and mass produced. We loved every moment. Congratulations on the tour Mark and best wishes for the future! N.B buy the book at the end of the tour its a fascinating history.

AndrewW

Turned up on the off chance as I had left it too late to book online during our holiday and managed to squeeze on to a 1 hour taster session with my 16 & 12yo sons. Moley was a brilliant guide with loads of banter and knowledge. We spent much longer than an hour down there, as Moley wanted to show us as much as he could. He had my 12yo hitting a chisel into the slate with a sledge hammer. After seeing some of the ropes and ladders Moley has set up down there, we would have loved to do the half day tour... maybe next year. It would be well worth the money.

GingerA

Couldn't have expected what was in store. We went on the 2 hour trip down the mine and time flew by we didn't want to leave. We left it till the last minute and didn't expect we'd manage to get a tour that day but Mark accommodated us and was the best tour guide anyone could ask for. Informative and enthusiatic, if you are in the area for any reason this needs to be one of your stops! Would have definitely gone for the 4 hour trip if we had the time. Thank you Mark for making our stay in Wales more special.

BenM

This is a brilliant adventure and worth every penny! A fascinating tour with a great guide Mark the Mole. Mr Mole has a great sense of humour and he involves everybody in the tour whilst being so knowledgable about mines and caves. The tour is flexible and Mark will tweak the tour to what you want to do . Adults and children of any age are catered for and would love this activity. Thank you Mr Mole for giving as a great tour. We will be back soon and I will wear my scarf!

AndyR

Been to Corris Mine twice now both trips have been different. Our guide Moley is the person that makes the trip, he engages with the group all the time and tries to fit in as much as possible. I'm looking forward to going back and doing the 4 hour trip

JonathanN

Absolutely fantastic thing to do. Guide is brilliant and this is truly an experience like no other. Utterly breathtaking bit of exploring.

King ofG

Awesome explorer tour of the slate mine. Fascinating and the tour guide, Mark, was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable - learnt a lot.

JamesP
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Facilities & information

Summary

Guided tours

Facilities

Activities, Recreations, Games, Sports

Extra info

Open Times: Open All Year. Advance booking highly recommended.
Price Details: Taster Trip: Adult £13.50, Child £8.50. 2 hour Mine Explorer trip £29. Half Day Mine Expedition £56.

Arrival information & directions

Address: Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, MachynllethSY20 9RF, United Kingdom

Corris Mine Explorers starts from the Corris Craft Centre which is on the main A487 road between Machynlleth and Dolgellau in Mid Wales. There are regular buses from Aberystwyth, Dolgellau and Machynlleth: X27 & T2 top right outside and 34 stops in the village of Corris (a 10 minute walk away). There are direct trains from Birmingham to Machynlleth.

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