Swansea, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales Review

Overall Rating

Show caves
Full size Dinosaur models

Expensive entrance cost @ £10 per adult
Expensive to eat in
Area not suitable for very young/wheelchair bound
Car parking poorly laid out
Tourist signs name the caves, not the attraction

On a wet day in Brecon we headed to the National Show Caves and we nearly missed them! The Brown tourist sign names the caves and not the attraction.

Once we had arrived, we found the car park was not well laid out, and it was difficult to decide where we could park due to the lack of parking bays. Still, we found a helpful man who sorted us out. As we walked from the car park, a life sized Brachisaurus stares at you through the trees.

To gain entrance, you queue up and pay £10 per adult to get in. The entrance gate was a rotary barrier, and there was an electric gate alongside for buggies etc.

We headed oft to the first cave, which had a notice saying buggies were not permitted inside due to steps, yet during the visit to this cave, you could easily take a buggy/wheelchair part the way in. On the way to the second cave you walk up a very steep slope to the entrance of the dinosaur lake, and then an even steeper slope to the show cave. This is the most spectacular cave on the site, complete with 2 waterfalls and water seeping out of the cave side at one point. For those that want, you can get married in this cave! The final cave was a bit disappointing. It is a reasonable steep walk, part of which those over 5ft need to duck heads, as there is a steel roof to protect the path from rock fall. The cave contains models of who might have lived in the cave and the archaeologists. Coming back you get wonderful views of the dinosaur lake, and if it is good weather, the view.

There are dinosaurs everywhere; T Rex, Sabre Tooth Tiger and Mammoth. They are all life size models and painted in some strange colours.

The restaurant on-site is extremely expensive! We had a cheese baked potato, 2 rounds of sandwiches, 4 muffin style cakes, and 2 hot and 2 cold drinks, and it came to £19.14. They charge £2 to add cheese to a potato! The restaurant can be accessed by buggies and wheelchairs, and there are toilets there.

Opposite the restaurant is the 1st floor shop. If you love dinosaurs then this is for you.

To sum up. It is a wonderful place for dinosaur fans, and those looking to do a little caving under safe conditions. The entrance charge is high and the food is expensive in the restaurant. If you arrive late you may have to walk up a steep hill to get to the entrance.

Members' Comments onBlanchardfamily2001's Review

• Bertie on 9th May 2006

  "The restaurant on-site is extremely expensive!" Like most other attractions -- that's where they make the REAL money. Just think of all that lovely Welsh air you breathed for free!!