In its heyday, Amlwch was one of the largest copper exporters in the world. You wouldn’t believe this today since the industry is all but gone. However, some of the relics from the industry have been preserved and placed on show at the Copper Kingdom Centre in Amlwch.
In this guide, I’ll share a bit of background about the centre, what there is to do there, and explain why I don’t include this activity in my list of the best things to do in Anglesey.
What is the Copper Kingdom Exhibition Centre?
The Copper Kingdom Exhibition Centre is a small museum in Amlwch, Anglesey that’s dedicated to telling the rise and fall of the copper industry in Wales.
The museum mostly focuses on the impact the copper mines had on Anglesey. Still, some of the informational videos also talk about Swansea which was another part of Wales heavily involved in the copper industry, nicknamed Copperopolis.
Exhibits teach you everything from the geology of copper mining to the people behind it, including Thomas Williams, the entrepreneur who made it happen and the ‘copper ladies’ whose job was to separate the iron ore into good metal and bad metal.
Note: The Copper Kingdom Centre shouldn’t be confused with Copper Mountain (Parys Mynedd or Parys Mountain) which is a former copper mine you can visit in the area.
Is it Worth Visiting?
The Copper Kingdom Centre is an interesting charity-run exhibition which provides a good introduction to the former copper industry.
However, from a visitor’s perspective, it costs £7.50 per person but only takes around half an hour to explore so it’s not great value for money unless you are particularly interested in learning about the copper industry and its impacts on the local area. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend that you visit unless this is something you are passionate about.
If you are after a casual day out, you might want to consider exploring Parys Mountain where you can explore an old copper mine for free and you’ll still get a feel for the mighty copper kingdom.
If you’re looking for a rainy day activity in Anglesey, maybe consider Oriel Mon (a free gallery and museum in Llangefni) or Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse (two attractions in Beaumaris with a joint ticket for £9.50).
Visitor Information
Opening Times
The Copper Kingdom Exhibition Centre is open between March and September. It’s open 6 days per week (excluding Monday) during the summer months and school holidays, but may be closed on Wednesday and Thursday outside of this. The centre is open from 10.15 am until 4.15 pm.
Prices
Here are the current entrance prices for the Copper Kingdom Exhibition Centre:
| Entry Price | |
| Adults | £7.50 |
| Children over 12 | £4.50 |
| Children under 12 | Free |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | £20 (+£2 for additional children) |
| Concessions 65+ | £5 |
Is the Copper Kingdom Centre family-friendly?
Yes, the Copper Kingdom Centre is very family-friendly with games and interactive exhibits designed for children of all ages.
Is it suitable for dogs?
No, the Copper Kingdom Centre at Amlwch is not dog-friendly.
Is the Copper Kingdom Centre accessible?
Yes, the Cooper Kingdom Centre is accessible for wheelchair users. It is located over two floors with a lift for those with a wheelchair or mobility issues. However, the lift can sometimes be out of service so it’s best to call or email ahead if this is needed.
How To Get There: The easiest way to visit the Copper Kingdom Centre is by car. You can drive all the way up the path and park directly outside the centre, you don’t need to park in the public car park next to the road.
Things To Do at the Copper Kingdom Centre
1. Watch an informational video
When you first arrive at the Copper Kingdom Exhibition Centre, you’ll visit the cinema room where you can watch an informational video to learn the background of the centre.
The video explains both the benefits of the copper trade in Amlwch but also the negative consequences it had both locally and elsewhere in Wales such as Swansea.
2. See the exhibits about the Copper Kingdom
After watching the video, you’ll be well placed to see the rest of the exhibits which give a further understanding of how the industry worked. You can see samples of the iron ore, the tools they used to extract it, as well as some of the clothes that would have been worn by workers. Be warned, there is a lot of reading to be done here!
3. Learn about Thomas Williams, the Copper King
Part of the museum explains about the main man behind Anglesey’s copper industry. Thomas Williams is the former lawyer turned entrepreneur behind most of Anglesey’s copper initiatives.
He found new ways to use copper such as reinforcing the hulls of wooden warships which helped drive up demand for the material. A mint at Amlwch even made copper coins!
4. Play interactive games
There are also two interactive games you can play to learn about the industry and have fun at the same time. I played one of the games which requires you to extract as much copper as you can before time runs out, it’s very addictive! There’s also a ‘children's corner’ where you can do some copper rubbings.
Published: 6 March 2023