“Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder” honoured

CCW

First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM has marked Dan yr Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales’ achievement in being named “Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder”. In an underground celebration, amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Cathedral Cave, an oak plaque was unveiled.

The small Welsh National Nature Reserve, in the Brecon Beacons National Park, took on the “best of the best and gained the prestigious title “Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder”. It beat off stiff competition from other, better known sites such as Giant’s Causeway, White Cliffs of Dover, Loch Lomond and Cheddar Gorge.

Mr Ashford Price, Chairman of Dan-yr-Ogof Caves said “To win this title when we were up against so many other truly amazing British Natural Wonders made us initially feel a bit like “David taking on the Goliaths”, but winning this competition is absolutely tremendous, not only for us, but hopefully for the image of Welsh tourism in general.”

The caves are quite literally one of Wales’ oldest tourist attractions. This is the only place in Wales where whole families can go and safely enjoy and appreciate the natural underground world of Wales. They offer a unique opportunity to see underground lakes, rivers and two spectacular 40 ft underground waterfalls.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Winning Britain's Finest Natural Wonder is the ultimate accolade for Dan-yr-Ogof cave complex. We have long recognised Dan-yr-Ogof as one of the wonders of Wales but beating tough competition from some of Britain's most famous natural attractions like Giant's Causeway, Loch Lomond and Cheddar Gorge will give the National Showcaves Centre a terrific boost on the national and international stage. A visit to Dan yr Ogof is a wonderful experience for people of all ages and I am sure that its new status Britain's Finest Natural Wonder will bring thousands more visitors flocking to the upper Swansea Valley to see this magical geological Welsh wonderland."

John Lloyd Jones, CCW Chairman added “This is the one place in Wales where anyone can go and enjoy and appreciate the wonderful natural underground world of Wales am also pleased to say that with CCW’s support, Dan yr Ogof can provide free access for educational visits by Welsh school children.

“More than 35,000 schoolchildren have visited this underground classroom. Some of the rock formations in the caves date back millions of years, making them a valuable underground store of information relating to past landscapes and climate as well as human activity. My hope is that this will encourage children to learn to appreciate the past so that we better care for our future.”

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