Submerged escape room brings history and thrills to Llanberis

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A Welsh quarry is pioneering a unique underwater museum and escape room experience, described as a “world-first.” Unlike other underwater attractions worldwide, these will be accessible to visitors of all skill levels, including children as young as 10.

This initiative promises to open up an extraordinary submerged world without requiring specialist scuba training.
Local diving operators at Vivian Quarry in Llanberis are integrating cutting-edge technologies to offer “next-level adventures” that not only excite visitors but also highlight Wales’ rich industrial heritage on a global platform.

Situated on the edge of Eryri, the quarry is part of the extensive Dinorwig slate complex, once the world’s second-largest slate mine. Since its closure in 1960, the quarry has flooded to a depth of 19 meters, preserving submerged buildings and mining equipment as a remarkable time capsule.Phoenix Watersports, run by Leanne and Clare Clowes from Anglesey, has partnered with the XPLOR Group, whose CEO brings expertise from the oil and gas sector.

This collaboration has enabled the development of a unique underwater gaming program and innovative technology, allowing young participants to dive shortly after a safety briefing. Over the past eight months, they have implemented rigorous safety protocols and tested every component under challenging underwater conditions.

The team emphasizes inclusivity, actively researching ways to make the underwater museum fully accessible to everyone in the future. Significant capital investments are planned to revitalize Vivian Quarry as a vibrant center for adventure and innovation.

The Scuba Escape, an escape room concept launched in 2021 for experienced divers, featured six challenging games testing skills such as buoyancy and navigation, but the new attraction will remove the need for specialized scuba training.

Located just 100 feet from Llanberis Lake Railway station and near the National Slate Museum, the quarry’s tranquil lake reflects massive rock slabs and hides intriguing underwater oddities. These include a miniature submarine, a skeleton, a gnome garden, and even a spectral quarryman figure, alongside native wildlife like European eels and brown trout.

Central to the quarry’s history is an impressive Blondin and winch machine, an overhead pulley system installed around 1870 to transport slate blocks efficiently. Originally steam-powered and later electrified in the 1950s, the winch machine remains in excellent condition despite nature reclaiming the building that houses it. After the roof collapsed, urgent preservation efforts were necessary to save the machine.

Phoenix Watersports described the complex relocation process, revealing that the 10-tonne machine was carefully dismantled and moved despite tight space constraints and the collapsed roof. The dismantling involved removing a heavy slate roof and wooden beams, then breaking the machine into four major parts, including a 3.5-tonne wheel and a 4.5-tonne base.

The preservation of the original structure was paramount, with each component removed carefully to maintain the integrity of the base plate and timber beams. Remarkably, the team found the machine’s nuts and bolts easy to unscrew, highlighting its excellent preservation after years of inactivity.

Upon reassembly at the new site, the team uncovered Victorian-era relics such as glass bottles, tools, and parts of the original steam heating system. These historical finds add depth to the quarry’s story and enrich the visitor experience.

Further details about the innovative plans for Vivian Quarry and its attractions are available on the Scuba Scape website, with visitors encouraged to join a mailing list for updates as the escape room activities aim to launch by this summer.