Opening Times

Open all year.

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

Corris Mine Explorers provides schools with an authentic, virtually untouched abandoned Welsh slate mine (1836 – 1970s). Deep within the mine are tools, equipment, candles machinery and many other relics and objects left behind by the miners.
During the visit, stories of life in the mine keep spilling out, almost bringing it back to life.
The exploration is also great fun with students being kitted out with mine exploration equipment, including helmet lamps, and entering a dark Slate mine. The true stories which spill out during the visit include mining tragedies and other stories which keep young minds stimulated.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

Geography:
School in England
The visit provides a perfect case study for changing economic activity.
Schools in Wales
Studying the impacts of human processes on a physical environment.
A casestudy for Tourism. In addition to the Mine there are other on site attractions including a Craft Centre with 9 craft workshops and 2 visitors attractions; King Arthur’s Labyrinth and Bards’ Quest.
A casestudy for looking at how and why places and environments change.
History:
Schools in England
The mine provides a stimulating setting to study Industrialisation in Britain.
Schools in Wales
A stimulating setting within which to study daily life in a Welsh slate mine from 1836 through to the early 1970s. The exploration focuses on the political, social, economic, religious and cultural history of the mine during these times.
RE:
The visit considers the importance of religious worship to the miners and how the mining operations were structured to enable regular worship.
Citizenship
Corris Mine Explorers provides an exciting setting to study social history from the mid 19th century through to the early 1970s. It provides a preserved historical setting where not only the operational side of the mine is looked at but also the working life of the miners and life in the local village.
Design and Technology
The visit provides a preserved example of the introduction of industrial technology. The excavation markings on the chamber walls show the use of hand held tools in the early years and then the use of industrialised machinery. The machinery and tools used by the miners can be seen and handled as a part of the visit.

What are the activities?

Mine Exploration

What is the age range of the activities?

The minimum age for the 1 hour Taster Trip is 9, for the 2 hour Explorer Trip the minimum age is 11 and for the Half Day Mine Exploration the minimum age is 13. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Sample programme of the activities:

Prior to the visit, pupils get kitted out with miner’s helmet, cap lamp, safety belt and safety clips. A short walk takes them to the mine entrance. During the visit they practise clipping on to and clipping off the safety ropes, they explore and discover the abandoned chambers and tunnels of the old mine, they see old mining machinery, tools, candles, even a cigarette packet, abandoned by the miners when they left, they hear stories of life in the mine which are often shocking when compared to 21st century life. Optional activities include crawling through small mine tunnels.

Groups exploring on the 1 hour Taster Trip wear a hard hat and are supplied with a hand torch. This trip takes them to parts of the mine which do not require clipping on to safety ropes.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

Pupils need to wear suitable clothing. Be aware that they may get dirty and may walk through ankle deep water. Wellingtons or a strong pair of boots are recommended. The underground temperature is around 8ºc all year round so please wrap up warm. No bags can be carried as both hands need to be free at all times. For the Half Day Expedition it is suggested that a drink and a snack are taken underground in a small backpack.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

The maximum group size is 9 pupils plus one teacher who visits free.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

Risk Assessment Information is available on the Corris Mine Explorers website.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

Yes

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

Above ground is the Corris Craft Centre Café which serves a range of hot and cold food, drinks and snacks. Corris Mine Explorers starts from the Corris Craft Centre which is also home to 9 Craft Workshops and the starting point for a further attraction King Arthur’s Labyrinth. There are picnic benches and a small childrens’ play area.

Is specific clothing required?

Pupils need to wear suitable clothing. Be aware that they may get dirty and may walk through ankle deep water. Wellingtons or a strong pair of boots are recommended. The underground temperature is around 8ºc all year round so please wrap up warm.

Do you have first aid on site?

The guide carries a first aid kit and emergency supplies. Radio or telephone contact with staff members above ground is always available should assistance be needed.
Above ground, there are two first aid points located within the Corris Craft Centre. One is situated in the King Arthur’s Labyrinth reception and one in the café

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

Photography underground is allowed but at the discretion of the guide. We hold a good supply of copyright free images which visiting schools are welcome to use.