The mines were rediscovered in 1987 during a project to landscape the Great Orme headland.
Miners during the Bronze Age removed over 1,700 tons of copper ore from this site.
Archaeologists have identified over 30,000 stone hammers used by ancient miners within the tunnels.
The tunnels were created by fire-setting, a technique involving heating the rock face and then rapidly cooling it to induce cracking.
Excavations revealed bone tools, including picks made from the shoulder blades of cattle.
The site remains one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century in the UK.
Over 8 kilometers of tunnels have been mapped to date.
The ore extracted from these mines helped power the Bronze Age economy across Europe.
Great Orme Mines is the largest prehistoric copper mine discovered worldwide, dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age. Located on the Great Orme limestone headland in Llandudno, the site features a vast network of underground tunnels excavated by ancient miners using stone and bone tools. Visitors can descend into these subterranean passages to view the archaeological evidence of early mining techniques. The site highlights the scale of Bronze Age industrial activity, which fundamentally altered the historical understanding of prehistoric British society. Extensive excavations continue to reveal new chambers and tunnels across the site. The surface area includes a visitor center with exhibits detailing the geology and history of the mines. It serves as a significant site for both industrial archaeology and geological research.
The elevated viewing platform at the visitor center offers a panoramic perspective of the Great Orme landscape.
Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear suitable for uneven, damp ground.
Bring a light jacket as temperatures underground remain cool regardless of surface weather.
Check the official website for current underground tour accessibility before traveling.
Do not attempt to access the unguided tunnel sections or restricted areas for safety reasons.
Closed during the winter season; usually reopens in the spring.
Visitors must follow safety guidelines provided by guides while underground; do not touch the walls or cave formations.
