Booking Information for National Slate Museum

Making a booking

All schools and groups must book two weeks in advance. Phone (029) 2057 3702 to book. (Mon-Fri 9.00am — 4.00pm). We recommend that you allow at least 3 hours for your visit. Please can all schools book through the usual process and not through Eventbrite.

Once a booking has been made, you will be sent a written confirmation. Please check this carefully.

Only one school group per day.

School bookings can only be made via the National Slate Museum booking line. Please do not book tickets via Eventbrite for schools.

All children over the age of 11 and adults are asked to wear face coverings in our indoor spaces.

We ask that groups visiting the site follow the systems in place and directions of staff.

The Elidir Fawr room will be available for you to leave your bags and as a lunch room.

The introductory film and slate splitting is available for schools in their bubbles – this will need to be booked in advance.

School groups will need to split into smaller groups when visiting other indoor spaces onsite such as the Fron Haul houses/waterwheel.

Chwarel Vivian walking tours and waterwheel workshops are available by pre-booking. Both activities are held outside and are therefore weather-dependent.

The experience at the National Slate Museum will be different from what is normally on offer; we cannot guarantee in advance which spaces or buildings will be open during your visit. On arrival to the Museum the learning team will be able to share what buildings and spaces are available on the day.

Charges for facilitated sessions

There is a charge for curriculum focused sessions led by Museum staff. There are four different prices (excluding VAT):

  • for sessions of up to 1 hour for up to 15 pupils - £40
  • for sessions of up to 1 hour for up to 35 pupils - £60
  • for sessions of up to half a day for up to 35 pupils - £100

Special Educational Needs groups in Wales are eligible for free sessions.

We will send an invoice to your school after your visit. Advertised prices exclude VAT but most schools can claim this back from their Local Authority.

Cancellation

Cancellations received later than 10am on the day before a booking and groups that are late on the day and miss their session must still pay the full session price. If you cancel or amend your booking you may be charged a £25 admin fee. Please contact the Learning team as early as possible if your circumstances change so that your place can be allocated to another group. Phone (029) 2057 3702 and leave a message on the answer phone - if the line is busy.

Please have the following information available when booking

  • Name of your school / organisation
  • Address
  • Postcode
  • Phone number
  • Contact email address
  • Name of the teacher / group leader
  • Number of students
  • Age Range
  • Do any of your pupils have additional needs that we need to be aware of?
  • Number of Staff
  • Which museum-led activities you would like to book?
  • Do you want to focus on any particular theme or topic?
  • Do you want to book a space for lunch?

Opening Times

Easter – October: 10:00am – 5:00pm, daily.

November – Easter: - 10:00am – 4:00pm, closed Saturdays.

Health and Safety

You will find health and safety information to help you complete your risk assessment

here.

All groups of sixteen years or under must be supervised at all times.

Adult/child ratios:

  • Under 7’s - 1 teacher for every 5 children.
  • Primary – 1 leader for every 10 children.
  • Secondary – 1 leader for every 15 children.

Visiting

Ample free parking for coaches. Located within the Padarn Country Park, Llanberis.

Disabled Access

There is unaccompanied wheelchair access to most parts of the museum along slate paving and paths covered in slate chippings. Due to the nature of the museum, some areas may need extra assistance.

Disabled toilet available in Caffi’r Fountain.

Suitable clothing

Visitors will be outdoors for a lot of their time at the Museum, so please bring appropriate clothing for all types of weather.

On arrival

The group leader should register at the shop. The Musuem staff there will confirm the details of your visit and answer any questions that you may have. We will need to know the exact number of visitors in your group.

Groups should remain on the bus until the group leader has signed in – if possible.

Food and drink

Under cover: There are two separate rooms available (Elidir and Elidir Fach) for groups to have their packed lunches. Slots should be booked in advance.

Out-door: There are outdoor picnic areas available (some covered) Please ask a Museum Assistant for directions. Picnic area also available in Padarn Park.

Cafe: Contact Caffi’r Ffowntan in advance to book packed lunches. Tel: (029) 2057 3715

Toilets

There are toilets available in the café. A toilet block is also situated in the car park of Padarn Park.

Changing Places Unit

A 'Changing Places Unit' is available at the café.

Map

A site map is available from the shop.

Space for Coats and Bags

Please ask a Museum member of staff for suitable spaces to keep coats and bags.

Mobile phones

As a courtesy to other visitors, please do not use your mobile phone when participating in group activities.

Museum Shop

The shop sells a wide range of products such as small toys, books and postcards. Please help with supervision by ensuring that small numbers visit at any one time.

Museum guidelines

We ask that all children and young people under the age of 16 be supervised at all times.

Visitors must not:

  • enter areas which are not open to the public
  • behave in an unruly manor
  • climb onto any machinery on the premises

Smoking is not allowed on site.

Dogs are allowed on site but not in the houses and must be kept on a lead at all times. Purpose made bags are available in the shop so that owners can clean up after their dogs.

Preview Visits

These are available for teachers or group leaders wishing to familiarise themselves with the Museum. Please telephone to make arrangements before-hand if you wish to speak to a member of the Learning team on the day of your preview visit.

First Aid

If First Aid attention is needed please contact one of the Museum Assistants, who will then summon a trained member of staff.

Lost Children

Prior to their visit, please advice children separated from their group to inform a Museum member of staff if they are lost. A Museum Assistant will then locate one of the group leaders.

Should a group leader become aware that a group member is missing, they should inform a Museum member of staff who will take appropriate action.

Any other Emergency

In the event of any other emergency please contact a Museum Assistant.

Child protection policy

The Museum’s child protection policy is available here.