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Glamping in North Wales – The Slate Caverns

Blog· Glamping· Travel

14 Oct

Glamping in North Wales

  • Glamping in North Wales
  • Llechwedd Slate Caverns
  • Llechwedd glamping lodges
  • Are Llechwedd slate caverns family friendly?
  • Llechwedd Slate Caverns facilities
    • Food and Drink
    • The Slate Caverns Gift shop
    • Slate engraving centre and craft shop
    • Tours at the Slate Caverns
    • Playpark
    • Parking
  • Glamping at the Slate Caverns – our thoughts

Last weekend we were lucky enough to try out the new glamping lodges at the Slate Caverns in North Wales. If you are thinking of heading to Lllechwedd Slate Caverns any time soon, you are in for a real treat.

*Ad review/press trip

Llechwedd Slate Caverns

Situated in the heart of Snowdonia National Park on the outskirts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llechwedd Slate Caverns is a fantastic attraction that transports you back in time to learn about the region’s slate mining. Mining was a way of life that defined generations of families, and at its peak, the slate industry in Wales employed an army of 17,000 men.

Glamping at the Slate Caverns - North Wales

Llechwedd glamping lodges

There are six safari lodges, four of which sleep five and two sleep four. The lodges are positioned high up on the hillside offering spectacular views of the rugged landscape.

The glamping lodges are out of this world, and in all honesty one of the nicest glamping lodges we have come across so far. On arrival it instantly has that ‘wow factor’. The lodges combine the traditional look of a safari tent, with the warmth of a log cabin. Internally, the lodges have a real contemporary and modern design.

Llechwedd glamping lodges are beautifully designed. Walking through our lodge we couldn’t help but admire the wood floors, beautiful  bunkbeds, and soft furnishings. Each lodge is fully equipped with a bathroom with a sink, shower and toilet. Towels are provided. Our lodge had a double bed and a bunk bed – bedding is provided, and the travel cot was available on request.

The kitchen facilities were perfect, with a sink and draining board, fridge and microwave. There is also a BBQ out on the decking. Everything that you need is supplied for your stay, so you don’t need to worry about remembering to bring all of the extras…. mugs, glasses, plates and cutlery  – it is all there and waiting for you on arrival. Washing up liquid, and tea towels are also provided.

The wood burning stove. I have no other words to describe it other than ‘love’. There is something special about coming in from an Autumn day out, kicking off the boots, throwing on the PJs and hearing the crackles from a wood burning stove. It also means that glamping is also possible out of season and just as much fun during the cooler months.

Outside the lodge there is a seating area and a BBQ. It was a lovely Autumn evening and we sat outside  and admired those incredible views of the hills, valley and old quarry as the day came to a close.

Are Llechwedd slate caverns family friendly?

We went glamping with our 7, 4 and 2 year old. The glamping lodges are suitable for families, and travel cots are available on request (*). There is also electric in the lodges and a woodburning stove for added warmth. We were also provided with a fire guard for safety.

The lodges are high up on the hillside, so I would recommend a baby carrier for the younger members of the family. The lodges are within walking distance from the main facilities, cafe, restaurant and tours.

The glamping lodges are situated on an old quarry site on a steep hillside. Our children loved the glamping site, you will need to supervise children at all times and it may be tricky to navigate that hillside with a stroller.  There is a vehicle available to take you to and from the lodges – just ask at the reception.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns facilities

Food and Drink

There is a great choice for food and drink at the Slate caverns. Choose from oven fired pizza at the Emporium, or sample a refreshment at the Quarryman’s Tavern. There is a cafe for hot and cold drinks, cooked breakfast, burgers, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and a host of other options. The cafe also sources local produce which I loved.

The Slate Caverns Gift shop

There is a gift shop on site where you can purchase a number of Welsh products, locals beers and spirits, Llechwedd Cavern Cheddar and slate products, as well as other fine gifts.

Slate engraving centre and craft shop

We could not visit the Slate Caverns without popping into the workshop and purchasing a slate door sign for our home. Beautiful made to order items, ordered and delivered to your home address.

Tours at the Slate Caverns

There are some great activities onsite – choose from the LLechwedd Deep Mine Tour, The Quarry Explorer,  Walk in the Footsteps Tour, and the Zip world. We experienced the Deep Mine Tour and I can honestly say it was a fabulous 1hr 15 minutes. The tour saw us travel 500ft underground and step back 160 years to learn about the work of the miners. I will be honest, I was a little anxious about taking three little ones deep underground – for any of you who knows my toddler, you will know that keeping still is not on his agenda. Rich our tour guide was absolutely fantastic, he put us all at ease, and he kept the kids entertained throughout the tour.  I was surprised by how much they took in and how much they remembered. I still can’t believe that kids as young as eight worked in the mines for up to 12 hour days in semi darkness…I will share more on our tour soon, but I can highly recommend the Llechwedd Deep Mine Tour for all of the family.

Playpark

Just outside the emporium cafe there is an outdoor play area, where we were able to sit outside in the late Autumn sunshine and enjoy a coffee and a hot chocolate whilst the children let off a little of their energy.

Parking

Parking is free at the slate caverns and there are reserved spaces for the glampers. It does mean you leave your car in the car park but there is a vehicle available at reception to take you and your belongings to your lodge – located high up on the hillside overlooking the valleys, mountains and quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Glamping at the Slate Caverns – our thoughts

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When it rains look for rainbows… and sunshine 🌈☀️ . . 📷- @theslatecaverns . . . . . . #wales #slatecaverns #glamping #myfamilyadventures #ordinarymoments #inspiringtravelpics #ourtraveltimes #Takeyourkidseverywhere #travelwithkids #adventurecalling #Goexplore #UKexplore #letthemexplore #familytravelmoment #showthemtheworld #lonelyplanet #mytravelgram #igtravel #Trips100 #familytravelblog #beautifuldestinations #neverstopexploring #travelmadfam #outdoorfamilies #fearlessfamtrav #loveyourtimetogether #gofurther #mycolourfulkids #snaphappybritmums #runwildmychild

A post shared by Katy (@otisandus.blog) on Sep 25, 2018 at 10:48pm PDT

We had the most wonderful weekend glamping at Llechwedd slate caverns. The glamping lodges are beautiful and I can understand why they have been awarded a Gold star by Visit Wales. Each lodge is equipped with everything you need from comfortable beds, soft throws and blankets, and kitchen equipment with the added bonus of electric, water, and and well…. that wonderful wood burner.

What I loved the most is that the lodges offer a wonderful and unique experience just a stones throw from an abundance of impressive and memorable attractions that kept all  of my family entertained. The coffee and hot chocolate is pretty special too, although I missed out on the pizza….. any excuse to return 😉

For more information head over to the Slate Caverns online

(*) Payable

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Glamping in North Wales - The Slate Caverns

Find out how we got on glamping in North Wales at Surf Snowdonia

Disclosure – We were invited to the Slate Caverns for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I love to hear what you think of my blog, do leave a comment. You can find us over on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

**All photographs copyright – Katy Stern. Otis and Us Travel Blog**

13 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ella (Typical Mummy) says

    October 15, 2018 at 8:17 am

    We love to visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns but I didn’t know about the glamping lodges – they look AMAZING!! And I love that rainbow umbrella!
    #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  2. Margie DQ says

    October 15, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Pretty unique! My husband and I have glamped, but never with the kids – they would love it! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  3. beatravelling says

    October 15, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    I so wanna try glamping too!! #mondayescapes

    Reply
  4. Baby Loves Travel says

    October 15, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    This looks like a really interesting glamping location; the mining history make it a bit different to other places. And the lodges look lovely! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  5. Sandra says

    October 16, 2018 at 4:05 am

    I’ve never been glamping (nor camping), but glamping sounds like the perfect mix between getting back into the outdoors and having luxury at your finger tips.
    #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  6. Chloe: Picture Taker Memory Maker says

    October 16, 2018 at 8:33 pm

    It certainly looks like a unique experience! Those lodges look lovely – far more luxurious than I would have expected. The whole area sounds really interesting and I bet your three had an absolute blast.

    Reply
  7. Jemma Taylor-Smith says

    October 16, 2018 at 9:33 pm

    Those lodges take clamping to a whole new level! I’ve never really explored Wales much, but it’s something I’m really keen to do. Jemma x #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  8. Angharad Paull says

    October 17, 2018 at 8:29 am

    I’d love to explore Wales more and these glamping lodges look fab – so cosy! Also very impressed with the facilites onsite, definitely one to remember for future! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  9. Louise Bielby says

    October 17, 2018 at 5:14 pm

    How amazing are those safari tents! What a unique experience, we are definitely adding this to our “must see” list. Thanks for sharing x ~mondayescapes

    Reply
  10. Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says

    October 18, 2018 at 9:55 am

    Welsh slate is so beautiful – I love all the slate houses you see in this part of the country. How cool to be able to glamp in a quarry! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  11. Nicky @Go Live Young says

    October 19, 2018 at 8:04 am

    We love to go glamping and this looks ideal. Saving for the May Bank holiday next year when we tend to do a weekend in North Wales #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  12. Leona says

    February 21, 2019 at 9:09 am

    I’ve never been clamping but would love to try – this looks like a perfect introduction #fearlessfamtrav

    Reply
  13. Jenny - TraveLynn Family says

    February 24, 2019 at 9:40 am

    This place looks amazing. Just our sort of place. Desperate to stay here now!
    #fearlessfamtrav

    Reply

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Vanlife Family • Travel


Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights dotted around a
Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights  dotted around a climbing frame
 
= A few more extra hours outside over the winter months 

Add in a flurry of snow ....

#1000hoursoutside 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #lockdown3


🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages a
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

🌈


A vintage rainbow 🌈

Mucho love tonight - hope
A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x


💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫

💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx


🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx

Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

It’s my last day of annual leave today. So we have spent the afternoon adding a few fairy lights to the MultiFlyer climbing frame - sprinkling a bit of magic and festive cheer out in the garden....

Moving on to the the camper next :) it definitely needs some fairy lights and a tree - Don’t you think? 🌲 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #vimage


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Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟 Fairy lights dotted around a Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights  dotted around a climbing frame
 
= A few more extra hours outside over the winter months 

Add in a flurry of snow ....

#1000hoursoutside 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #lockdown3
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐 I often get messages a 🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

🌈
A vintage rainbow 🌈 Mucho love tonight - hope A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x
💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx
🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

It’s my last day of annual leave today. So we have spent the afternoon adding a few fairy lights to the MultiFlyer climbing frame - sprinkling a bit of magic and festive cheer out in the garden....

Moving on to the the camper next :) it definitely needs some fairy lights and a tree - Don’t you think? 🌲 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #vimage
If this year has taught us anything, it’s defini If this year has taught us anything, it’s definitely to not take anything for granted. To take each day as it comes and to enjoy the simple things in life, finding  joy in those ordinary moments. 

I don’t need reminding of this but family and friends are everything. As are good old hugs. (I miss hugs!) And plans. Blooming love a plan. 😍

So ill keep on bobbing on here if that’s okay? I’ll keep planning, writing about our campervan adventures and sharing our van life love and outdoor life. Because we have to have hope and we have to keep dreaming.... 

Hope you are all doing okay, sending a virtual hug if you need one this weekend. My inbox is ALWAYS open, always.
🚐 4 years! 🚐 4 years blogging!! Wowzers tha 🚐 4 years! 🚐

4 years blogging!! Wowzers that has flown by!! 

I’ve had lots of new followers lately so thought I would pop on and say hello and tell you a little bit about us.

I’m Katy and I am behind Otis and us travel blog. I started the blog during my maternity leave - really because I love taking photos and wanted  a place that the kids can look back on and to document our van life adventures. I  am a full time specialist nurse and also currently working on an MSc. I am a whirlwind and life is definitely jam packed but I wouldn’t have it any other way :) 

We love our beautiful T5!! We have made so many memories and taken some wonderful roadtrips over the years. We haven’t managed to get out in the van much this year, but hey I’ve still been dreaming ... hopefully next year🤞🏻🤞🏻

We have three free spirited kiddies who love nothing more than a road trip,  sleeping in the poptop roof, exploring, beach life and toasting marshmallows. 

Mr Otis and Us, what can I say? The chilled one who has so much patience😆. He drives the many miles, lives on coffee and never ever says no to my crazy road trips and ideas. 

So here we are - the Otis and Us tribe, popping on to say hi. 
 
Thank you so much for following along, for all your interaction and love. It means the world. I love to hear from you all, every message and every comment. Thank you 🙏🏻 

Hope you will stay with us for 2021 , 

Stay safe 

Katy xx 🌈

📸 credit @canonuk

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