Go Below

The moment you descend into Go Below, you're trading the Welsh hillsides for something altogether more primal - a slate mine that's been transformed into a proper subterranean adventure. Located just outside Conwy, it's one of those attractions that actually delivers on the drama. You get the real deal: underground lakes, dramatic rock formations, and passages carved out over centuries of quarrying. The whole thing feels authentically industrial without the tedium of a museum lecture.

It works brilliantly for families with kids old enough to handle stairs and a bit of darkness - probably eight upwards, though it depends on the child. Adults who've overdosed on mountain views will find something genuinely different here. The guided tours are your best bet; they take roughly an hour and reveal the scale of what's underground in ways you'd miss alone. The water channels and the sheer height of the caverns catch you off guard each time you turn a corner.

If you're based at one of the local glamping spots - Snowdonia Glamping Holidays or Porth Eryri are both within spitting distance - this makes a cracking wet-weather backup plan. It's the kind of place that breaks up a heavy hiking schedule nicely. The visitor centre handles a decent stream of people, so mornings are your friend. Open daily from half nine through to six, so you've got flexibility. Check the website for exact pricing and whether you need to book ahead - it fills up faster than you'd expect for a hole in the ground.