You might be surprised to hear that North Wales isn’t the wettest region in the UK. That particular honour belongs to South Wales!  A recent study showed that it rains more in Cardiff that anywhere else. Admittedly Bangor was in fourth place! It does rain a little more hereabouts than in many areas of the country.  But there are usually plenty of sunny days to enjoy the beaches and mountains. Anyway, you know what the Scandinavians say – there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. I don’t mind the odd shower when I am out and about. Those horrible days when the wet stuff keeps dropping out of the sky are a different matter. So, if the heavens do open and stay open, what do you do?

Going Underground

Yep! When it rains in North Wales, instead of heading for the hills, seek out one of the many exciting underground attractions in the area. You won’t believe the incredible things that are going on right under your feet!

It never rains down below and you should also consider getting wet deliberately! Here’s our favourite weatherproof days out:

Bounce Below

At some time in the not too distant past, the team at Zipworld had to sit down and plan what they should do with a huge slate cavern. They decided to fill it with trampolines and neon lights! Pure genius! The world’s very first subterranean playground, Bounce Below provides enormous fun for adventurers of all ages. Six bouncy nets are suspended in a 180ft deep cavern and you can slide between levels while the light show highlights the drama of the setting. Bounce Below is open every day and is suitable for adults and children aged 7 or older. You can book online but check the weather forecast and pick your day well in advance. This attraction is regularly fully booked, even when the sun is shining. The Zipworld Slate caverns are located at Blaenau Ffestiniog which is 24 miles from The Woollen Mill.

Zip World Caverns

Bounce below is fun and funky but if you are looking for a day out with a little more edge, Zip Wold Caverns should do it for you. The largest underground network of zip lines on the planet, Zip World Caverns delivers a full-on adrenaline rush. The 2.5 hour experience will see you clambering through narrow passageways and negotiating rock faces via small platforms and pegs. You will visit several caves and traverse 11 zips. You need to be at least 10 years old to participate and at least 1.2m tall. There are further restrictions which you should check out before booking online.

Sygun Copper Mine

Located near the beautiful village of Beddgelert, the Sygun Copper Mine is well worth visiting. The self-guided audiovisual tour enables you to explore the old workings on foot and at your own pace. You will negotiate tunnels and visit colourful chambers while admiring magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations. Naturally, there are copper ore veins and they contain traces of gold, silver and other precious metals. There’s no need to book and refreshments are available at the mine. After your tour, if the weather has improved, take a stroll around the lake and don’t forget to explore Beddgelert before you leave the area.

Redline Indoor Karting

If you are feeling the need for speed, head to Caernarfon and hit the track at Redline Indoor Karting. You don’t need any experience to drive and there are several options including a short taster session to see if karting is for you. Kids need to be at least 8 years old and 1.35m tall to drive. Booking is advisable to avoid disappointment. The track is closed on Mondays.

Canyoning

Well, if you are going to get wet, why not get really wet? Canyoning is a fabulously exciting sport that you can enjoy all year round. Snowdonia Adventure Activities offer canyoning trips through the stunning Prysor gorge. You will descend slides, swim across pools, jump into deep pools and abseil/zipline down a waterfall. If that isn’t quite exciting enough, take the Canyon Xtreme trip which includes jumps from up to 45ft, bigger slides and much more besides. All the equipment you need is supplied and kids who are 11 years+ can take part. If you are not familiar with the Prysor River gorge, it is surrounded by the beautiful woodland of Coed Felinrhyd, an ancient forest which is managed by The Woodland Trust.

A rainy day can be an amazing day in North Wales

Whatever the weather, you will never be short of things to do in North Wales. We have mentioned but a few of the days out that won’t be ruined by the rain that you could experience in the region. There’s plenty more to discover and not all of your options involve going underground or throwing yourself down waterfalls! Even if a rainy day is forecast, it may not tip down all day and there are hundreds of great walks which you can complete in a couple of hours. Having said all that, pack a good waterproof jacket for your trip and you will be able to make the most of the great outdoors while you are here.