Blaenau's main attraction takes you into the depths of a Victorian slate mine. Donning protective gear, you descend the UK's steepest mining cable railway into the 1846, 25-mile network of tunnels and caverns, while "enhanced-reality technology" brings to life the harsh working conditions of the 19th-century miners – be prepared to duck and scramble around dark tunnels. Knowledgeable guides relate stories of their own connections with the mines, and the softly lit caverns themselves are starkly beautiful.
You can also opt to join an overground, off-road Quarry Explorer tour in a 4WD military truck (£20 per person) that trundles up to the highest points of the human-made slate mountains, or stay overnight in the on-site glamping tents (£120).
