Great Orme

Llandudno

North Wales

LL30 2XG

01492 870447

Uncovered in 1987 during a scheme to landscape an area of the the Great Orme, the copper mines discovered below the ground represent one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of recent time. Dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age they change our views about the ancient people of Britain and their civilized and structured society 2,000 years before the Roman invasion.

Over the past 17 years mining engineers, cavers and archaeologists 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, so far discovered in the World.

The excavations are still in progress, click here to see what we are doing now.

A visit to Great Orme Mines is both an enjoyable and educational experience which can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. Walking through tunnels mined out over 3,500 years ago gives visitors a feel for the harsh conditions our prehistoric ancestors faced in their search for copper.

The highlight of the tour is the amazing Bronze Age Cavern, dug out over 3,500 years ago by miners using nothing more than bone and stone tools.

For a more detailed academic look at the Great Orme Mines, Andy Lewis's Masters Degree dissertation is the most in depth work so far carried out on the mines.