The Silver Mountain Experience

The Silver Mountain Experience Live actor experiences and fascinating history, based at a unique Silver-Lead Mine in the Cambrian Mountains Gem & Gold Panning - Have a go at prospecting.
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For more information and pricing see our website www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk

A choice of actor-led experiences and guided tours:

A Dragon’s Tale, The Knight’s Quest - An exciting adventure on the search for Grotty, our mystical, secretive and shy dragon! The Black Chasm - Ancient myths, Welsh legends & gruesome mining history are brought to life in this thrilling actor-led adventure! A Mi

ner’s Life: This guided tour immerses you in the original and rare setting of our 250+ year old mine. Discover the fascinating facts of mining life in by-gone times as it would have been seen through the eyes of a miner. Plus an abundance of surface attractions, including:

The Den & Fossil Dig - Dig to unearth fossils and draw your favourite Silver Mountain characters. Addictive fun for all! Miners Trail - An award-winning easy-to-follow trail. Mine Museum - Explore our collection of hard rock mining machinery, tools & ephemera, reflecting the story of silver-lead ore extraction on-site. Woo Hoo Wood - Let loose the younger members of the family to enjoy the magic of the Wood with Tangle-Foot Maze, and join them for a spot of Den-building. Adventure Play Area - Paddle, splash and dam build in our Water Play Area and don't miss our fantastic Sand Pit, Adventure Play Equipment and Mini Diggers!

28/03/2025

🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫

This Easter, prepare for a journey like no other! From April 8th to 24th, 2025, join Mr. Balcombe, the charmingly eccentric mine manager, as he transforms his historic silver-lead mine into a chocolate-making wonderland!

What's in store?
✨ Guided Tour with Mr. Balcombe – Take a fascinating walk through the mine and learn how Mr. Balcombe is repurposing mining equipment into chocolate machinery!
🍬 The Chocolate Challenge – Explore the site, hunt for hidden silver tickets, and win mouth-watering chocolate rewards!

The site has been transformed for this new chocolate adventure and you will also be able to visit our themed areas including:
🍭 Mr Balcombe's Sweet Shop - Filled with Mr Balcombe's prototype sweets. These candies certainly cant be eaten as they're still in the testing phase, but make a fantastic phot opportunity none the less.
🏠 *UNDER CONSTRUCTION* Mr Balcombe's office - For such an eccentric man, it's only right his office matches his personality. Made entirely of Gingerbread, his office is almost complete!

Our special Easter activities are included when booking onto any tour at The Silver Mountain Experience, where you can enjoy one of our guided/actor-led tours, our play areas and much more.

To read more about Mr Balcombe's chocolate challenge head to our website: https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/

Here are our opening times for April🤩Don't forget to check out our Easter event, Mr Balcombe's Chocolate Challenge! 🍫Mor...
25/03/2025

Here are our opening times for April🤩

Don't forget to check out our Easter event, Mr Balcombe's Chocolate Challenge! 🍫

More details and how to book can be found on our website: https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/

If you are looking to make a special group booking outside of our opening hours then please message our page or drop us an email to [email protected]. 📧

🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫This Easter, prepare for a journey like no...
24/03/2025

🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫

This Easter, prepare for a journey like no other! From April 8th to 24th, 2025, join Mr. Balcombe, the charmingly eccentric mine manager, as he transforms his historic silver-lead mine into a chocolate-making wonderland!

What's in store?
✨ Guided Tour with Mr. Balcombe – Take a fascinating walk through the mine and learn how Mr. Balcombe is repurposing mining equipment into chocolate machinery!
🍬 The Chocolate Challenge – Explore the site, hunt for hidden silver tickets, and win mouth-watering chocolate rewards!

The site has been transformed for this new chocolate adventure and you will also be able to visit our themed areas including:
🍭 Mr Balcombe's Sweet Shop - Filled with Mr Balcombe's prototype sweets. These candies certainly cant be eaten as they're still in the testing phase, but make a fantastic phot opportunity none the less.
🏠 *UNDER CONSTRUCTION* Mr Balcombe's office - For such an eccentric man, it's only right his office matches his personality. Made entirely of Gingerbread, his office is almost complete!

Our special Easter activities are included when booking onto any tour at The Silver Mountain Experience, where you can enjoy one of our guided/actor-led tours, our play areas and much more.

To read more about Mr Balcombe's chocolate challenge head to our website: https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/

🌷This is your friendly reminder that next week is Mother's Day! 🌷If you're stuck on what to get your mum this year, why ...
23/03/2025

🌷This is your friendly reminder that next week is Mother's Day! 🌷

If you're stuck on what to get your mum this year, why not browse our selection of gift vouchers?

🔗https://giftup.app/place-order/d38cd3bf-2e69-432f-85d5-122c1ffa1b43?platform=Hosted

Or, if you're looking to go the extra mile, book a surprise and spend the day with us! This Mother's day we are offering 20% off afternoon tea! Simply enter this discount code when booking: MUM2025

🔗https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/buy-tickets
*Offer is only valid on bookings taking place on Mothering Sunday, 30th March 2025

21/03/2025

🍫🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫

This Easter, prepare for a journey like no other! From April 8th to 24th, 2025, join Mr. Balcombe, the charmingly eccentric mine manager, as he transforms his historic silver-lead mine into a chocolate-making wonderland!

What's in store?
✨ Guided Tour with Mr. Balcombe – Take a fascinating walk through the mine and learn how Mr. Balcombe is repurposing mining equipment into chocolate machinery!
🍬 The Chocolate Challenge – Explore the site, hunt for hidden silver tickets, and win mouth-watering chocolate rewards!

The site has been transformed for this new chocolate adventure and you will also be able to visit our themed areas including:
🍭 Mr Balcombe's Sweet Shop - Filled with Mr Balcombe's prototype sweets. These candies certainly cant be eaten as they're still in the testing phase, but make a fantastic phot opportunity none the less.
🏠 *UNDER CONSTRUCTION* Mr Balcombe's office - For such an eccentric man, it's only right his office matches his personality. Made entirely of Gingerbread, his office is almost complete!

Our special Easter activities are included when booking onto any tour at The Silver Mountain Experience, where you can enjoy one of our guided/actor-led tours, our play areas and much more.

To read more about Mr Balcombe's chocolate challenge head to our website: https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/

🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫This Easter, prepare for a journey like no...
18/03/2025

🍫Embark on a Choc-tastic Easter Adventure at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🍫

This Easter, prepare for a journey like no other! From April 8th to 24th, 2025, join Mr. Balcombe, the charmingly eccentric mine manager, as he transforms his historic silver-lead mine into a chocolate-making wonderland!

What's in store?
✨ Guided Tour with Mr. Balcombe – Take a fascinating walk through the mine and learn how Mr. Balcombe is repurposing mining equipment into chocolate machinery!
🍬 The Chocolate Challenge – Explore the site, hunt for hidden silver tickets, and win mouth-watering chocolate rewards!

The site has been transformed for this new chocolate adventure and you will also be able to visit our themed areas including:
🍭 Mr Balcombe's Sweet Shop - Filled with Mr Balcombe's prototype sweets. These candies certainly cant be eaten as they're still in the testing phase, but make a fantastic phot opportunity none the less.
🏠 *UNDER CONSTRUCTION* Mr Balcombe's office - For such an eccentric man, it's only right his office matches his personality. Made entirely of Gingerbread, his office is almost complete!

Our special Easter activities are included when booking onto any tour at The Silver Mountain Experience, where you can enjoy one of our guided/actor-led tours, our play areas and much more.
To read more about Mr Balcombe's chocolate challenge head to our website: https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/

20% OFF this Mother's Day!Looking for something memorable to do with Mum this Mother's Day? 🌷Our Afternoon teas make for...
16/03/2025

20% OFF this Mother's Day!

Looking for something memorable to do with Mum this Mother's Day? 🌷

Our Afternoon teas make for the perfect day out with Mum. Overlooking the stunning scenery of the Cambrian Mountains in our cosy café, you will be dined with a selection cakes, scones and freshly prepared sandwiches washed down with unlimited tea or coffee. 🍰🫖

Simply enter the code MUM2025 when booking to receive 20% off and treat your Mum to something special this Mother's Day!

🔗https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/buy-tickets

*Offer is only valid on bookings taking place on Mothering Sunday, 30th March 2025

🎉 Celebrate Your Birthday at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🎉Come rain or shine, The Silver Mountain Experience is the ...
08/03/2025

🎉 Celebrate Your Birthday at The Silver Mountain Experience! 🎉

Come rain or shine, The Silver Mountain Experience is the perfect place for a fun-filled birthday celebration! 🎂

👦 For younger adventurers, take on the Dragon’s Tale tour – a thrilling hunt through our historic mines to find the elusive and shy dragon 🐉.
👧 For the brave at heart, face the Black Chasm tour – a spine-tingling journey into the depths of the mines, where you'll encounter creatures from local Welsh myths and legends (plus some surprise twists along the way!). 😱
⚒️ History buffs can step into the past with A Miner’s Life – a fascinating tour through 280 years of Welsh mining history! 🏅

With so many things to see and do, let us help plan the perfect party!

🎂 BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES 🎂

Our party package is £250 and includes:

✅ Entry for 8 children and 2 adults
✅ A party food buffet tailored to your needs
✅ Full guided/actor-led tour experience – choose from A Dragon’s Tale, A Miner’s Life, or The Black Chasm
✅ Access to all surface attractions + quiz sheets provided
✅ A special present for the birthday child! 🎁
✅ Waiting area in The Miner’s Rest Café for parents picking up their kids
✅ Parents are welcome to bring their own birthday cake and party bags 🍰🎉

✨ Add Gem Panning Kits for just £2.50 per bag! Choose between colorful gems or ‘Fool’s Gold’ and take home a treasure! 💎

The best bit? We do all of the tidying up! 🧹

Ready to book? 📅
Email or call us with your preferred date and let’s make this birthday one to remember! 🎈

Email: [email protected]

On 3rd March , 1870, the mine's count house building was completed. It was built by Mr John Barton Balcombe, who had tak...
03/03/2025

On 3rd March , 1870, the mine's count house building was completed. It was built by Mr John Barton Balcombe, who had taken over the mines lease in 1861. Balcombe undertook significant changes to the mine's infrastructure in one of its most productive periods. His plan was to improve the overall aesthetics of the mine's surface to create the impression of profitability and draw in investors.

1. This first image is the oldest known photograph of Llywernog mine. Unfortunately the original image has been lost and this copy from an old leaflet is all that remains. It is the only photo that shows the count house before it was left to fall into a state of disarray. Also note the intact launder which can only be seen in its full state in this photograph.

2- By 1949, the roof to the count house had deteriorated on one side, which worsened over the next few years. The waterwheel still stands, but the launder is gone. Set behind the count house is the dressing shed, which has also crumbled to the ground by this point, but can be seen partially, intact in the first image.

3- 22 years later, in 1971, the roof has become a mere shell and the waterwheel is gone scrapped some years previously. Thankfully, the buildings and mine workings were about to have new life breathed into them. Peter Lloyd Harvey purchased the site two years later in 1973 and began work on restorations and only a year later the count house was returned to its former glory.

4- A favourite image of ours, from 1985, shows the count house fully restored with sensitivity to how it would have looked when first erected all of those years ago. Also interesting to note is the morris miner, which belonged to our Miner's Life guide, Richard. This was captured on his first visit to the mine as an 11 year old.

5 - Finally, a much more recent image of this historic building, which we work tirelessly to preserve for future generations.

Did you know we offer exclusive corporate packages for companies seeking a unique and unforgettable team day out? 🎉Our t...
28/02/2025

Did you know we offer exclusive corporate packages for companies seeking a unique and unforgettable team day out? 🎉

Our tailored packages, complete with buffet options, are designed to make your corporate outing one to remember. Whether it's team building, celebrating achievements, or just a fun day away from the office, we’ve got you covered! 🏰✨

Get in touch today to book a group experience like no other. Let’s create lasting memories for your team!

Email us via: [email protected]

🚨 No Celebrations for St David’s Day – Welsh Tourism in Crisis 🚨On March 1st, Welsh tourism businesses will mark St Davi...
28/02/2025

🚨 No Celebrations for St David’s Day – Welsh Tourism in Crisis 🚨
On March 1st, Welsh tourism businesses will mark St David’s Day not with celebrations, but with a powerful message to the Welsh Government (WG). Flags will be lowered to half-mast, and attractions will close their doors in protest against policies that are damaging our industry.
Last December, the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) led a one-day strike, highlighting the impact of the WG’s anti-tourism stance. Now, the movement is growing. This time, we’re joined by North Wales Tourism and the Professional Association of Self Caterers in Wales, uniting to demand change before it’s too late.
🏴 Why are we protesting?
• Falling tourist numbers 📉
• The 182-day rule, which is crippling businesses 🏡
• The proposed tourism tax, which will affect Welsh residents just as much as visitors 💷
WAVA spokesperson Ashford Price warns:
👉 “60% of accommodation bookings in Wales are made by Welsh people for their own holidays—yet they’ll now be taxed for staying in their own country!”
👉 “Even babies in tents, caravans, or cottages will be taxed under these proposals!”
Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism, adds:
📢 “Despite countless attempts to engage with the Welsh Government, our concerns have been ignored. Many businesses are struggling to survive. That’s why we’re calling for flags to be lowered, symbolising the deep damage being done to one of Wales’ most vital industries.”
Alistair Handyside MBE, Executive Chair of PASC UK, stresses:
💬 “Hospitality businesses have faced a tsunami of taxes and regulations in recent years. Many are at breaking point, with mental health struggles widespread in the sector. An urgent review of these policies is needed now.”
⚠️ No Tourism = No Growth = No Future ⚠️
If you support Welsh tourism, join us on March 1st by lowering your flags and making your voice heard.
📞 For media enquiries, contact:
📍 Ashford Price (WAVA & Dan Yr Ogof Caves): 07989 855313
📍 Jim Jones (North Wales Tourism): 07525 934742
📍 Alistair Handyside (PASC UK): 07771 678028
📍 Welsh Speaker: Alun – 07971 042422 / 01970 617642

Here are our opening times for March🤩If you are looking to make a special group booking outside of our opening hours the...
25/02/2025

Here are our opening times for March🤩
If you are looking to make a special group booking outside of our opening hours then please message our page or drop us an email to [email protected]. 📧

Last chance to book an experience like no other! This weekend you could be a part of a real life paranormal investigatio...
18/02/2025

Last chance to book an experience like no other! This weekend you could be a part of a real life paranormal investigation at a haunted Victorian lead mine! 👻

🌑What to expect?
- Venture underground, into the darkness, and chase the spirits of miners who never left.
- Learn about the fascinating history of a disused Silver Lead Mine.
- Explore areas with high levels of reported paranormal activity
- Lead your own investigation using scientific tools and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

🕛 Date & Time: SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2025 - Arrive between 7.30PM - 8PM for complimentary drinks and snacks. The evening will end at 2AM
📍 Location: The Silver Mountain Experience, Llywernog
💥 Whether you're a sceptic or a seasoned investigator, this night promises to keep you on the edge of your seat! Will you uncover a lost spirit? Or will the mine keep its secrets locked away?
⚠️ Limited spots available! Don’t miss your chance to delve into the darkness. Book now!
🔗 https://www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/paranormal/

On Wednesday, some of the staff members for The Silver Mountain Experience and The Red Kite Café enjoyed a visit to Nant...
16/02/2025

On Wednesday, some of the staff members for The Silver Mountain Experience and The Red Kite Café enjoyed a visit to Nanteos Mansion.

Our guide, Janet, was fantastic, full of knowledge and passion about the building and its history. At some point in the Powell family's past, the mines at Llywernog passed through their ownership and it was fascinating to see what the profits of the mining industry afforded these families long ago.

To top it off, we enjoyed a delicious cream tea, served in the lavish dining room.

We are deeply saddened at the news that Nanteos will be closing its doors next month and we wish all of the staff luck for the future. Hopefully the mansion finds its new owners swiftly, as it has many years of joy to give.

More information about Nanteos can be found through their social media:


Or website:
https://www.nanteos.com/

Lowri has heard that today is a very sickening day indeed, Valentines day. 👩‍❤️‍👨Whilst she is very confused as to what ...
14/02/2025

Lowri has heard that today is a very sickening day indeed, Valentines day. 👩‍❤️‍👨

Whilst she is very confused as to what all of the fuss is about, she wanted to wish all of her victims a very revolting day. 😂

13/02/2025

A sneak peak into part of the mine not accessible to visitors!

In February 1870, the steam engine at Llywernog was put to the test for the first time. It was installed in December of ...
07/02/2025

In February 1870, the steam engine at Llywernog was put to the test for the first time.

It was installed in December of 1869, and records show that it was powered for the first time on Christmas day. Coal was expensive and steam engines were only ever used when the waterwheel was no longer an option. In the February of the following year, the wheels froze over and the steam engine was put into action to pump the water out of the mine. It was the first time in the mine's history that work could continue through a big freeze. The images attached show how severe the ice can get during the winter months even in recent years.

The steam engine that once powered Llywernog was a 16HP Barrows & Stewart horizontal steam engine. Though the original was scrapped in the 1930s, a very similar example is now on display in our reception building.

Another crucial method for dewatering mines was the use of portable steam pumps, examples of which can also be seen onsite today. The accompanying photos showcase these pumps before and after their recent restoration, offering a glimpse into the engineering that kept mining operations running through even the toughest conditions.

Address

Ponterwyd
Aberystwyth
SY233AB,LLYWERNOG,PONTERWYD,ABERYSTWYTH,

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THE SILVER MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE

Come and explore The Silver Mountain Experience, a place where history, myth and legend collide in a fantastic day out for the whole family. Embark on an adventure with a choice of guided tours discovering the history of our very own Silver-Lead Mine, or experience Welsh fantasy and myth in one of our actor led shows. So what are you waiting for? Come and explore!