Kate W
10 December 2018
Dark, dank and dangerous. That's the general consensus when it comes to caves. Wandering around in the darkness looking at rock, more rock and - oh, look - even more rock.
Well, caves in Wales are a little different. Whatever preconceptions you might already have can be completely overturned because there is so much to surprise you in this incredible country, including the multitude of fantastic things to do that you can find underground. You can kayak, climb or bounce your way through the caves in Wales. Yes, that's right, we said bounce!
There are a whole host of incredible places to visit, from fun-filled caves in North Wales to atmospheric caves in South Wales, so take a look at the unforgettable caving experiences we’ve gathered together.
What would you prefer? Pick your favourite:
- Go trampolining in a subterranean disco
- Gaze upon extraordinary waterfalls in an enormous cavern
- Kayak the salt water sea caves of the Pembrokeshire coast
- Listen to an experiential tale of intrigue
- Clamber through tiny spaces and test your limits
- Or hike the Brecons to discover Batman’s lair
Adventure awaits...
A place for: adventure, excitement and tonnes of fun!
Ever gone trampolining in a cave? If not, you’re missing out! This underground adventure centre allows you to jump and slide your way through the disused slate mine in Wales. Adventure junkies will get a kick out of the above ground four-person zip line (the first in Europe) which will take you on an exhilarating ride across the quarry, while kids as young as 7 years old are welcome at the phenomenal trampolining disco in these caves in Eryri / Snowdonia (adults of all ages are more than welcome too.)
Holiday cottages nearby:
Stay near Bounce Below so you can roll into bed at one of these holiday homes after a day of jumping on a trampoline in caves in Wales.
A place for: weddings, dinosaurs and awe-inspiring spaces.
National Showcaves Centre for Wales credit: Instagram @showcaves
Don’t be fooled by the rather official-sounding name, National Showcaves Centre for Wales, as this attraction is dedicated to dinosaurs – it has over 200 life-size models outside these caves in South Wales. When you’re ready to enter you can pick from three subterranean spaces: Dan yr Ogof Cave, Bone Cave or, our favourite, Cathedral Cave. This third spectacular cavern of these national showcaves is filled with breathtaking waterfalls making it one of the most romantic places in the UK for a wedding. So, if your dreams for your big day are to host a ceremony that is somewhat unique, this could be a perfect fit!
Holiday cottages nearby:
Rest your head after exploring Dan yr Ogof caves at one of our hideaways in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
A place for: adventure, intrigue and unique experiences.
When the tide is right, you can paddle into the salty sea caves and discover the mysterious green waters of the Witch’s Cauldron. The light that filters through the water and the currents will vary how bright green the water will be. There are also plenty of other intriguing tunnels you can kayak through, including a cave that is completely pitch black apart from a single ray of light that streams in creating an atmospheric visit.
Holiday cottages nearby:
Go kayaking in The Witches' Cauldron then retreat to one of our cosy cottages in South Wales.
A place for: discovery, intrigue and excitement.
The Silver Mountain Experience credit: Instagram @silvermountainexp
Feeling brave? Then journey into the darkness with the nightmarish Black Chasm interactive guided tour that will lead you through the old silver mines to meet all kinds of terrors. If you are more of a historical buff, there’s an experience called ‘A Miner’s Life’ that will take you back in time and lead you through a history of the people who once worked these old mines, while younger visitors can follow clues left by a dragon in ‘A Dragon’s Tale’ experience. Once you’re done underground in these unique caves in Wales, there are surface attractions to investigate on-site as well.
Holiday cottages nearby:
After a day of stories, withdraw to one of our holiday homes in West Wales to relax.
A place for: adventure, the curious and dark tiny spaces.
Crawl through the tunnels and cracks of the rock with only a headlamp to guide you on this subterranean experience. In these Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons cave, you’ll be together with a team wandering in the darkness: just make sure you don’t get left behind! Scramble over sharp rocks and duck under stalactites, walk through murky waters and climb down steep rock formations into the earth. Some sections of the route will open up so you can walk through large cavernous tunnels, but you’ll soon be clambering into more small spaces, testing yourself against these Welsh caves. Watch the Blue Ocean video to see just what you’ll be up against.
Holiday cottages nearby:
Recover from this exciting adventure at one of our cosy cottages in Brecon Beacons National Park.
6. The Bat Cave, Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons
A place for: natural beauty, intrigue and exploration by foot
This one is for the film buffs. Hidden behind a cascading waterfall in the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons you’ll discover Batman’s secret hide-out. Well, not exactly, but this is the cave that portrayed the entrance to the Batcave in the film, The Dark Knight. You can walk into the cave behind the waterfall and look out through the cascading water while listening to it thunder into the pool below. The Brecons is also known as waterfall country so after visiting Wales’ incredible caves, take a look at our post on waterfalls in Wales.
Holiday cottages nearby:
Collapse onto the sofa and put up those weary feet in one of our cottages in Mid Wales.
Entering the caves
What are you waiting for? You know which of these experiences is your favourite so come to Wales and start your caving adventure.
Yes, caves are dark, dank and dangerous - but they can also be intriguing, exciting and full of surprises! While there are plenty of types of rock to look at while you explore, you won’t have time to pay much attention when there is so much to keep you entertained.
If you visit any of these fabulous caves in Wales, let us know how you get on – we’d love to hear from you! To inspire your Wales adventures, you might find our guide to the Brecon Beacons, and these ideas for an active holiday in Wales, useful!
Browse our collection of cottages and holiday homes to find the perfect place to lay your head after a day of caving adventure.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.