Dan-yr-Ogof Cave
The river Llynfell emerges from the mountain as you approach the entrance to Dan-yr-Ogof, returning to the surface after an underground journey of more than 6km. It was by way of this entrance that the Morgan Brothers made their dramatic discovery in 1912. Tommy and Jeff Morgan had only candles to light their way, a coracle to cross the lakes they encountered, rope to help with the dangerous climbs they undertook, but of course no map to help guide them! Today, you can enjoy this natural wonder without any of the difficulties they experienced over 100 years ago.
Be amazed by the famous “Rasher of Bacon”, the heavenly “Angel” and the “Alabaster Pillar” – just some of the beautiful formations discovered by the Morgan Brothers during their adventures.
These incredibly brave acts of discovery were not surpassed until 1963, when a relatively inexperienced caver, Eileen Davies, made a significant breakthrough in the exploration of Dan-yr-Ogof. The “Long Crawl” was finally conquered; so far this has led to the discovery of an incredible cave system with over 16km of explored passageways.
Cathedral Cave
A small tunnel-like cave above Dan-yr-Ogof Farm has been known for many years. When you look over the railings at the entrance to Cathedral Cave you’ll see the beginning of this tiny passageway through which members of the South Wales Caving Club squeezed in 1953 to make the most awe-inspiring discoveries. To their amazement, after blasting their way through boulders to the end of this small tunnel half-filled with water, they came upon a colossal cave passageway, decorated with thousands of delicate ‘straw’ stalactites. Waterfalls cascaded into underground lakes, and unusual formations adorned the cave walls. This was the beautiful cavern we now know as “The Dome of St. Paul’s”.
Cathedral Cave and its wonders are now viewed by thousands of people from all over the world every year, and it is regularly chosen as the most spectacular venue for a wedding!
Bone Cave
Bone Cave, or ‘Ogof-yr-Esgyrn’, is so called because 42 human skeletons dating back to the Bronze Age (over 3000 years ago) have been discovered in its chamber. Other items including silver rings, fragments of Roman pottery, bone pins, and fine bronze jewellery have also been unearthed, as well as evidence that the Roman legions were stationed in this area.
In Bone Cave you will find a number of exhibits that illustrate man’s use of the caves in the past, and his struggle to survive alongside the other inhabitants of the cave – hyenas, wolves and cave bears.
Dinosaur Park
Explore one of the world’s largest award-winning dinosaur parks – see over 220 life-sized dinosaur models, and get up close and personal with some of the monsters from millions of years ago!
Dare you face the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex that could swallow 230kg of meat in a single bite? Meet the massive Brachiosaurus weighing more than 15 elephants, and wonder at the strange and unusual crest on the Tsintaosaurus’ head!