The Black Chasm - Review
When theming company Saturn Imagineering decided to get into scare attractions they spent ages looking for the perfect venue. Based near Bristol they knew they wanted to find someplace unique with a lot of history and they finally found an old Victorian silver mine museum that was struggling to survive. With an ingenious deal to part own the mine and some fortuitous grants from the Welsh government, the concept of the now re-branded Silver Mountain Experience was born.
The main aim of the new show is to introduce this part of Wales to a some proper scares. With the tourist and university town of Aberystwyth just down the road, the venue realised that it could easily play to both family and older audiences in one venue. Hence the Black Chasm was born.
Before we went into the chasm we had a wander around the site to see what else we could discover. As you can imagine from an old mine there are reminders of the past scattered all over the place including old mine shafts, mine cart tracks and old water wheels etc. All of these are explained in detail on the heritage trail which provides information for those of a less thrill seeking disposition. Along side these are new colourful signs detailing fictional stories of the Grovels - mischievous creatures that live in Woo Hoo Wood. We loved the imagination and fanciful nature of these stories and small children could spend ages exploring for more detail
or hunting for an elusive Grovel.
But of course we were there primarily for the new scare attraction - The Black Chasm.
The main aim of the new show is to introduce this part of Wales to a some proper scares. With the tourist and university town of Aberystwyth just down the road, the venue realised that it could easily play to both family and older audiences in one venue. Hence the Black Chasm was born.
Before we went into the chasm we had a wander around the site to see what else we could discover. As you can imagine from an old mine there are reminders of the past scattered all over the place including old mine shafts, mine cart tracks and old water wheels etc. All of these are explained in detail on the heritage trail which provides information for those of a less thrill seeking disposition. Along side these are new colourful signs detailing fictional stories of the Grovels - mischievous creatures that live in Woo Hoo Wood. We loved the imagination and fanciful nature of these stories and small children could spend ages exploring for more detail
or hunting for an elusive Grovel.
But of course we were there primarily for the new scare attraction - The Black Chasm.
The Black Chasm is the key feature and is intended to be scary and thrilling for older children during the day but with the possibility of becoming even scareier for the upcoming frigt nights.
The attraction uses the mischevious Orc characters that had been walking around the press event and sets us along a fun story about us being trained to work for them as slaves. Though humour and a bit of intimidation we soon learn of their evil plan, but like willing fools, we still follow our guide to our doom.
The next part of the attraction is based deep within the Chasm itself: a dark, dank underground passage which has been lit beautifully and filled with ambient background sounds. It was a really impressive start and really created the impression that we were deep underground. Unfortunately we were soon encouraged to escape from the terrifying Coblynau, an unseen but very much heard presence.. With hard hats to protect us from the low rock work, this part of the show had everyone rushing to get away!
Almost unnoticeably - we headed upstairs into more regular rooms and it was here that some of the scares became apparent. Sudden nouises and movements in the light had a number of us jumping with fright. Being a large group it was hard to always keep up with the guide and hear everything he was saying but the effects and sets made it clear that we werent in a very happy place!
Regrouping after this scare maze segment, we were treated to a fun and jaunty show that wouldnt have been out of place in a Dungeons attraction. Using humour, an auidence volunteer and some effective tricks, one of our team got converted into an Orc. Unfortunately, before we had time to claim him back we were forced onwards and this was where things went crazy!
The final scare maze element was absolutely terrifying. For a theming company, it's ironic that their best scares came from an unthemed black environment as these corridors were some of the darkest we have ever experienced. Walking was made by reaching out and touching only and our group hung on to each other leaving the brave one at the front to stumble their way through. Add in a couple of scare effects and we all left this area laughing and screaming!
All emerging safely in the final room it was time for the big finale. It wasnt obvious that we needed to wait until all the group had emerged so we nearly missed this section thinking that nothing was going to happen. What actually followed was a long pre-recorded dalogue led scene which although technically amazing, didnt leave us running out the door in fright. After the scares of the previous section we probably would have liked one more big scare at the end.
Saying that - we emerged back into the daylight, blinking from being underground so long!
The attraction uses the mischevious Orc characters that had been walking around the press event and sets us along a fun story about us being trained to work for them as slaves. Though humour and a bit of intimidation we soon learn of their evil plan, but like willing fools, we still follow our guide to our doom.
The next part of the attraction is based deep within the Chasm itself: a dark, dank underground passage which has been lit beautifully and filled with ambient background sounds. It was a really impressive start and really created the impression that we were deep underground. Unfortunately we were soon encouraged to escape from the terrifying Coblynau, an unseen but very much heard presence.. With hard hats to protect us from the low rock work, this part of the show had everyone rushing to get away!
Almost unnoticeably - we headed upstairs into more regular rooms and it was here that some of the scares became apparent. Sudden nouises and movements in the light had a number of us jumping with fright. Being a large group it was hard to always keep up with the guide and hear everything he was saying but the effects and sets made it clear that we werent in a very happy place!
Regrouping after this scare maze segment, we were treated to a fun and jaunty show that wouldnt have been out of place in a Dungeons attraction. Using humour, an auidence volunteer and some effective tricks, one of our team got converted into an Orc. Unfortunately, before we had time to claim him back we were forced onwards and this was where things went crazy!
The final scare maze element was absolutely terrifying. For a theming company, it's ironic that their best scares came from an unthemed black environment as these corridors were some of the darkest we have ever experienced. Walking was made by reaching out and touching only and our group hung on to each other leaving the brave one at the front to stumble their way through. Add in a couple of scare effects and we all left this area laughing and screaming!
All emerging safely in the final room it was time for the big finale. It wasnt obvious that we needed to wait until all the group had emerged so we nearly missed this section thinking that nothing was going to happen. What actually followed was a long pre-recorded dalogue led scene which although technically amazing, didnt leave us running out the door in fright. After the scares of the previous section we probably would have liked one more big scare at the end.
Saying that - we emerged back into the daylight, blinking from being underground so long!
All in all we were "undergorund" for nearly an hour and our tour included a really fun mix of humour and scares. Certain elements would have even the bravest of child terrified to go any further and the brave ScareTOUR crew all admit to jumping a number of times throughout the show. As it was, as we walked round we spotted many potential cut-throughs and hidey holes that have been clearly designed for the Fright Night scare shows
Full marks should be given to the amazing Orcs for thier impressive characterisation and banter. When we werent being scared,our Orc host had most of the group laughing out loud at his abusive but amusing wit. Many of the guests (including most of the ScareTOUR team)were singled out for some abuse throughout the show.
Once outside of the immensley atmospheric Chasm itself, the new themed areas look realistic and impressive and it is clear that a lot of deisgn and work has gone into creating it. At the moment its definitely something for families and braver kids but in the future we cant wait to see what they bring to the show for their terrifying fright nights!
Full marks should be given to the amazing Orcs for thier impressive characterisation and banter. When we werent being scared,our Orc host had most of the group laughing out loud at his abusive but amusing wit. Many of the guests (including most of the ScareTOUR team)were singled out for some abuse throughout the show.
Once outside of the immensley atmospheric Chasm itself, the new themed areas look realistic and impressive and it is clear that a lot of deisgn and work has gone into creating it. At the moment its definitely something for families and braver kids but in the future we cant wait to see what they bring to the show for their terrifying fright nights!
For more details of The Silver Mountain Experience, check out their website
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You Review

I have recently visited the "Silver Mountain Experience" during Easter 2013. and from my experience dont bother. It is over-priced for what it is and the staff there have poor customer service.
We did the black chasm tour and the tour guide for it was unbelievable! He was rude, patronising and insulted every person on the tour. He told member of the group that 'he ate all the pies' insulted another man by pointing out he was ginger and called another man a lady boy (he was with his girlfriend!). These are just a few examples and it got worse as the tour went on.The guide thought he was funny which was the complete opposite and at one point i did question where the whole thing was set up as a joke as it was terrible.
The rest of the experince was small with little to see. We should've seen the signs and not bothered to go when the car park was empty. Do not waste your money! I wish i had asked for a refund.
We did the black chasm tour and the tour guide for it was unbelievable! He was rude, patronising and insulted every person on the tour. He told member of the group that 'he ate all the pies' insulted another man by pointing out he was ginger and called another man a lady boy (he was with his girlfriend!). These are just a few examples and it got worse as the tour went on.The guide thought he was funny which was the complete opposite and at one point i did question where the whole thing was set up as a joke as it was terrible.
The rest of the experince was small with little to see. We should've seen the signs and not bothered to go when the car park was empty. Do not waste your money! I wish i had asked for a refund.
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