logo
'World's first' underwater museum to open in Wales quarry

'World's first' underwater museum to open in Wales quarry

Daily Mail​25-04-2025
An abandoned slate quarry in north Wales that's been submerged underwater for the last 20 years is set to open up as an underwater museum.
Vivian Quarry in Gwynedd, once part of the world's second-largest slate mine, is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It's been quietly flooded for two decades, hiding old mining buildings, tools and even a circular blast shelter beneath 19 meters of water.
Soon, the historic site will be accessible to the public, where visitors as young as ten will be able to dive in and explore the ruins of the former quarry.
Following its closure in 1960, the quarry has been open to experienced divers for the past 12 years.
However, thanks to new technology developed by XPLOR Group, anyone - including complete beginners and kids - will be able explore the museum with no prior scuba training after a 10-minute safety briefing.
The diving centre, run by Scuba Scape, is opening up this summer and promises a 'world first' experience.
Speaking to North Wales Live, a spokesperson from Scuba Scape said: 'Our collaboration [with XPLOR Group] has led to the commercialisation of a unique underwater gaming programme and innovative technology.
'Over the past eight months, we have implemented intense safety procedures and conducted rigorous testing of every component in some of the harshest underwater conditions.'
In addition to its museum features, the site will also host a one-of-a-kind underwater escape room, allowing divers to participate in interactive games as they tour the remains of the quarry.
Bookings are expected to open soon on Scuba Scape's website, with tickets priced at £73.36.
It comes after a lesser-known theme park in the UK that costs just £13.95 to enter has been hailed one of the best in the world - and you can even bring your pooch along for the ride.
The Milky Way Adventure Park, located in North Devon, offers a mix of indoor and outdoor rides, shows, activities and play areas at a fraction of the cost of its big-name competitors.
The amusement park was first launched as a farm attraction in July 1984 by the Stanbury family, but it has since grown in size and popularity with around £2 million invested in new attractions and upgrades over recent years.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

You can now private charter this luxurious 50-metre river cruiser down the Mekong
You can now private charter this luxurious 50-metre river cruiser down the Mekong

Time Out

time21 hours ago

  • Time Out

You can now private charter this luxurious 50-metre river cruiser down the Mekong

The third-longest river in Asia, the Mekong runs through at least six countries, including China, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. Rich with wildlife and drop-dead gorgeous countryside scenes, the Mekong is best enjoyed by a river cruise, many of which travel between Siem Reap in Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. For a more serene experience, the upper reaches of the Mekong will satisfy. And now, you can enjoy such a journey in ultimate luxury and privacy via private charter aboard Mekong Kingdoms' luxury river cruise, Bohème. The Bohème glides along a quieter section of the Mekong River, between the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and Xayaboury in Laos, and back. A 50-metre cruiser with 13 suites (for up to 26 guests), it is now available for anyone who wishes to book out the entire boat for private sailings. You can book the private charter package for trips happening up to September this year. Luxury is a given: the suites are modern and stylishly appointed, with a 60-square-metre Royal Suite that features a freestanding bath and a private balcony for tranquil hours watching the scenery pass by. Guests can also expect attentive butler service, onboard spa treatments, and fine dining meals accompanied by thoughtful wine pairings. The itinerary also offers numerous opportunities for you to immerse yourself in Laotian culture, with excursions to the sacred Pak Ou Caves to view thousands of devotional images, the artisan village of Ban Chan Neua to learn pottery techniques, and an invigorating swim at the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Cocktail classes, yoga sessions, and dinner under the stars complete your experience aboard the Bohème. Of course, such luxury comes with a hefty price tag. Rates start from USD 33,600 for three nights, and you must book a minimum of eight cabins. The private charter package is also available on a longer journey: a five-night itinerary between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, starting from USD 68,000 based on a minimum booking of ten cabins.

Skara Brae: The Scottish village older than the Pyramids
Skara Brae: The Scottish village older than the Pyramids

Glasgow Times

time3 days ago

  • Glasgow Times

Skara Brae: The Scottish village older than the Pyramids

One such place is Skara Brae in Orkney, a 5000-year-old Neolithic settlement that was uncovered during a terrible storm in 1850. The location is said to be one of the "best-preserved" sites in Europe and paints a remarkable picture of life during this time. Take a look at Skara Brae - the prehistoric village in Scotland that's older than the Pyramids Skara Brae is located on the western side of the Orkney mainland (Image: Tripadvisor) Skara Brae would have been home to a variety of people, including farmers, hunters and fishermen. According to Historic Environment Scotland, it is "the best-preserved group of prehistoric houses in all of western Europe" and contains a number of fascinating artefacts such as gaming dice, tools and jewellery. Skara Brae features nine surviving homes (Image: Tripadvisor) Of the nine surviving homes in this "extraordinary" Scottish village, all but one can be seen from the path going through the settlement. The homes are said to be equipped with "fitted" furniture made from flat stone slabs set into large mounds of midden. Each of the houses features a single room with a floor space of around 40sq m. Inside, there are box beds, central hearths and small tanks built into the floors. Skara Brae is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney (Image: Tripadvisor) It currently remains unknown why life at the village ended in around 2500 BCE. Some have argued that a huge sandstorm covered the houses, while others remain convinced that the depopulation of the site was a gradual process. As the settlement fell into decline, the construction of new sites such as the Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge began to take place across Orkney. The site is popular with visitors from across the world (Image: Tripadvisor) The archaeological site, which contains one fully reconstructed home, is a favourite spot for those visiting the area. Recommended Reading: See inside Scotland's oldest house, dating back to at least 1107 'Historic and charming': See inside Scotland's 'oldest' pub dating back to 1360 See the 'incredibly beautiful' castle which once housed Scotland's crown jewels One user on Tripadvisor said: "What a stunning place to visit! The history goes back 5000 years, but was only discovered in the 19th century. "We hit on a glorious day, which made it extra special. The beach alongside is stunning in the sun!" Another added: "Being able to see the ancient dwellings up close and to touch these aged artefacts was beyond any words I could conjure to describe our visit!" A third recommended the evening tour, writing that it is "well worth" the expense.

North Wales landmark is one of the main 'characters' in dark, psychological thriller
North Wales landmark is one of the main 'characters' in dark, psychological thriller

North Wales Live

time3 days ago

  • North Wales Live

North Wales landmark is one of the main 'characters' in dark, psychological thriller

A Welsh author has revealed how he has woven the plot of his debut novel around one of North Wales' most iconic landmarks. Llandudno's Great Orme is the setting for a dark, psychological thriller by Paul D. Coombs. The novel - called The Great Orme - was described as "Agatha Christie meets Stephen King" by one reviewer. The story revolves around one man's desire - Zacharay Llewellyn - to finally confess for the murders he and his friends committed as teenagers. Then years later, as their grizzly brand of retribution followed them into their new lives away from the Great Orme, Zac summons them all to return home under the gaze of The Great Orme headland and join his confession. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now But not everyone wants to lose everything they have built and someone is still out there killing. Paul says it's a "taut psychological thriller laced with moral ambiguity". Paul, who is originally from Cardiff, told North Wales Live: 'Being Welsh, I have a natural affinity for Wales, and particularly North Wales which is a relatively short drive from my home in Cheshire. I couldn't help but be inspired by the place. "The landscape, at the same time both beautiful and treacherous, seems to keep its own time, its own truths. I was thinking about the kind of people who do something terrible, carry it with them, and try to live like it never happened. "But what if one of them can't? What if one of them starts to unravel-because the truth won't stay quiet? "The landscape becomes part of the psyche, part of the punishment. Because in the end, I think it's less about the crime itself… and more about what it does to the soul of the person who can't let go of it.' He has long harboured an ambition to write a thriller. 'I had always wanted to write an Agatha Christie-style murder-mystery, with secrets and consequences... but darker," said Paul. "I love the Great Orme and it was crucial that the power of the setting is as much a principal character as any of the other characters.' Since its release, The Great Orme has had an amazing reception both home and abroad, but none more-so than in North Wales, said the author. He added: "The people here have a natural affinity with the ancient rhythm of the land, the Great Orme itself a place where the earth meets sky and sea, a place where you can feel like you are standing at the edge of the world. I have always been fascinated with landscape and its power to haunt." Paul added: "The name 'Great Orme' itself is thought to have Norse origins, meaning "sea serpent", and anyone who sees it or climbs its windswept crown, will sense it, wild, alive and unknowingly deep." * The Great Orme published by Northodox Press, out now, is available in bookshops including from the Great Orme Summit Complex shop, and the North Wales Wildlife Trust gift shop). Waterstones in Liverpool has made it a 'favourite read'. "The Great Orme" is currently in consideration for the Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award. Paul has had numerous short stories published in anthologies, magazines, and on podcasts. His collection of dark and speculative short stories, For Strangers Only, is available to purchase on Amazon. Paul's second novel, The Deadly Lives of Windsor, is slated for release in 2026 and is now available to pre-order from Northodox Press. It is described as "a futuristic Orwellian Animal Farm for our times".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store