World's First Underground Trampoline Centre!
Chris Hogan, 8th September 2015, Travel
At the beginning of summer we ran a motor article - Top Ten new UK tourist attractions for 2015 - to highlight some new destinations worth discovering. In that article we promised to report back after we visited in August. Well we did, and here's the report!
In the article we cover the new feature at the complex - Junior Bounce - which is strictly for 3-6 years olds. As none of us fitted into that age category, we went to the adult facility, Bounce Below.
New lease of life for mine
It's all based around the Llechwedd Slate Caverns just outside Blaenau Ffestiniog, a Victorian slate mine, still producing slate on a limited scale, but now better known as an active leisure facility. On site there are three zip-wire attractions, one underground, a Victorian slate mine tour and museum as well as a cafe and gift shop.
Bounce Below is an excellent and innovative use of the huge caverns left behind by over a hundred years of intensive mining. Huge nets have been strategically stretched around the caves creating three levels and various off-shoots, all of which wobble around as you move. A technicoloured light display bounces off the walls, illuminating the cavern and creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Introduction
As you'd expect there's a comprehensive safety briefing before you're allowed into the complex. Hairnets go beneath your helmet and if you don't have appropriate clothing you're offered a boilersuit.
Appropriate clothing means long trousers and long-sleeved tops, then just before you enter the cave system you're given mesh overboots which help with grip. It's worth noting that the nets can graze, so covering up is a very good idea - next time I'd probably ask for a boilersuit as well.
A technicoloured light display bounces off the walls, illuminating the cavern and creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Although these aren't trampolines in the traditional sense, the stretched nets act as trampolines, allowing people to bounce up and down, back and forth, to their hearts content.
Amazing maze
There network of nets creates half-a-dozen or more distinct rooms, the first of which is a designated 'chill-out zone' where no bouncing is allowed. This allows everyone to get used to the bouncing or, in some cases, a chance to give up and get out before they get too far in!
The rooms are linked by ramps going up and tubular slides going down, some long and some short, so there's a mix for different levels of bravery. Or foolhardiness!
Good value for all ages
Prices are currently £20 each, for which you get an hour of bouncing, which is pretty good value. It's enough time to fully explore the different areas and do as much or as little bouncing as you like.
My wife and I took our nineteen-year-old daughter and her boyfriend with us. Anyone over the age of seven can go, although those under eighteen have to be accompanied by an adult.
There's no upper age limit, although older people will probably want to take note of the warning that "those with a history of knee, ankle or other lower limb injuries should be aware that there may be an increased risk of injury whilst participating on Bounce Below."
Enjoy, but be careful too
They're not wrong - I'm a good few years from collecting my pension but I managed to aggravate an old knee injury by falling awkwardly - my fault, but you do need to take care. Apart from that it was a great workout and we were all completely out of breath at the end.
Well, apart from the boyfriend, who bounced around annoyingly competently, without pausing for breath and also claimed to feel no aches or pains the next day. Grrrrrrrrr.
Don't forget the rest
One of the surprises of our trip was the beauty of the surrounding countryside and the many and varied things to do. Nestling in the heart of Snowdonia there are the famous miniature steam railways nearby and lots more to do.
We've visited South Wales and the Barmouth area in recent years but not North Wales, at least not since childhood holidays. But the little taste we had last week was enough to make sure we'll be back very soon.
