It’s beginning to look a lot like Zipmas! And the magic of the season is found in Santa’s wonderland when you head deep underground at the famous Llechwedd slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
From 27 November until Christmas, visitors can enjoy a traditional Welsh Christmas with unique experiences that will be sure to bring wonder to the eyes of little ones as they wait for the big day and Santa to arrive!
The Victorian mine is transformed into the perfect underground Christmas grotto, and there’s plenty too for Mummies and Daddies with a complimentary mince pie, hot chocolate or mulled wine as the elves will be waiting to show you and your family the real magic of Christmas.
It begins on the cable railway, where you’ll delve deep underground to the historic Llechwedd mine. And then head through the festive tunnels to Santa’s Grotto, where he and his team of Elves will be ready to greet you with a wrapped gift, your very own Welsh slate bauble to decorate at the on-site craft station, and plenty of picture opportunities, of course.
Once you’ve soaked up the magical atmosphere, you’ll jump back in the train to the surface where you can grab a festive bite to eat in the Llechwedd Caffi, and decorate your slate bauble at the craft station, ready to take pride of place on the tree.
If you haven’t yet sent a letter to Santa, Zipmas also provides the opportunity. It’s a busy time of the year for Santa, but Zip World have it on good authority that he’s cleared a little time in his busy schedule up to the big day to let little ones deliver their letter in person, or they can post it all the way to the North Pole using the special North Pole Postbox – it’ll be there waiting for him when he gets home after his trip to North Wales!
Zipmas will be running on select days from November 29 until December 24. The attraction will be open on Mondays and Fridays from 3pm-7pm and from 9am and 5pm on weekends and the week leading up to Christmas Day.
Wes Earl, brand manager at Zip World comments: "We’re really excited to be hosting a Christmas event in the historic Llechwedd Deep Mine this winter. We can’t wait for people to come and enjoy our Zipmas event, which we’ve designed to be a joyful experience for the whole family.
"There will be plenty to see and do for adults and children alike, alongside all of our usual adventures that will be available to book throughout the winter.”
Let’s face it, the past couple of years haven’t been great for marking Christmas – which is why Santa and his elves are pulling out all the stops at Llechwedd.
Whether you’re taking a weekend trip during the countdown to Christmas or an after-school adventure, Zipmas provides perfect festive refreshments to warm up the whole family.
Before heading home, don’t forget to pop into the onsite gift shop – it’s the perfect spot to grab some treats to remember your visit by, and even stock up on a few stocking fillers for friends and family.
Zip World’s popular Bounce Below attraction will also be running alongside Zipmas over the Christmas period, with a special discount available on the day to anyone visiting Santa. Bounce Below is a unique, underground, trampoline-style adventure, set in a cavern twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s perfect for ages 7+ and, with the whole of the Llechwedd site dressed up in festive fashion, is an ideal way to top off your Zipmas experience. Kids and adults alike will love bouncing, hopping and jumping around to their heart’s content – and it’s also a great way to get some exercise ahead of all the festive food & drink to come in the days ahead.