16c Mostly Cloudy
Barmouth Viaduct at Sunset 
Llanberis from Penllyn 
Morfa Bychan beach near Porthmadog 
North Wales Calendar 
What's the attraction?
The starting point is the Corris Craft Centre - home to 10 craft workshops producing cards, rustic furniture, woodware, glassware, patchwork and quilting, candles, leatherwork, jewellery, pottery and toys.
Then an adventure with a boat journey along an underground river, through a waterfall and into a world of mystery, legends and storytelling.
Finally, we faced the challenge of the Bards' Quest to search for the lost legends hidden in the Maze of Time. What an amazing way to relive the wonderful legends to evoke the spirit and the history of the people to save the mystical stories which echo across the ages.
What's on offer?
Set among the woodland of an old working quarry of Upper Corris, it creates the perfect atmosphere for King Arthur's underground adventure and the challenge of the maze.
With free car parking, a very clean, spacious, light, bright and modern café with lovely views serving locally sourced ingredients to make up and an interesting menu with a Welsh twist with genuine welcoming staff. The café is adjoined by a well-planned picnic and outdoor play area - instantly gaining attention of all three children.
How did you get there?
Everything's at Corris Craft Centre in mid Wales on the main A487 road between Machynlleth and Dolgellau. From our Llanfihangel y Pennant farm, the journey took just 20 minutes and the children were thrilled to get out of the car so soon.
Click to launch Google MapHow long did you stay?
We spent the afternoon there trying out all that was on offer from painting pottery to getting lost in the maze and trying to keep Catrin's helmet on. The hours flew by and we all had a really interesting and fun afternoon.
Did you take a brolly?
The weather was brilliant sunshine. Having the boat journey underground and the maze being outside, it's the perfect balance for a family's day out - rain or shine. No wonder it is so popular with tourists from all over the world.
What did you do there?
Immediately, the children spotted the park which was perfect for all three to enjoy and for us parents to have a quiet coffee before the afternoon's activity . The first port of call was the Quarry Pottery with lots of lovely pots and smoking dragons. The incentive was to paint their own pottery. The staff were so welcoming, patient and made it a very enjoyable and memorable experience. It was a pleasure to watch their concentration as they painted their dinosaurs, pigs and turtles. We returned the next day to pick up our hand painted 'animals'.
We entered the barge and made our way deep into the old quarry towards the plunging waterfall ahead of us - Colin and Tom were thrilled to hear the stories.
Coming out of the darkness back to the sunshine was a relief which is why we enjoyed the maze so much.
How much did it cost you?
Labyrinth underground tour adult £5.75, child £4.10, senior: £5.20. Bard's Quest adult £4.10, child £2.35, senior £3.60. Discount when you buy admission to both. Concessionary rates for groups -
Craft Centre is free, but pottery making cost £25, including choice of pot and paints.
How about food and drink?
The space available in the cafe, especially with busy children, creates a relaxed atmosphere which benefits all the family. The menu offered Welsh rarebits presented cleverly on a glass board with a red background. The children chose from scrumptious home baked Welsh cakes and milk shakes. Our tuna sandwiches came with a beautiful side salad with a little Welsh flag. A nice touch and all for around £10. Very reasonable. Staff were very accommodating.
Are there any shops?
The 10 craft workshops are the perfect opportunity for handmade items, while the Labyrinth shop sells a range of books, gifts, toys and souvenirs on the Celtic Arthurian theme. Enjoying the experience of the pottery painting, the children were distracted from wanting toys.
Is it ok/safe for kids?
We did feel quite confident as the children ran and played quite freely all afternoon between the park, the craft centre and the picnic area. Having the specific activities during the day to focus on, the playing areas were perfect to let off steam.
Can people with disabilities get around?
Being on one level with paved walk-ways creates a satisfactory environment for all abilities and ages. Ample free car parking with blue badge spaces a few yards of the centre. The picnic areas are, however, on unlevel grassed surfaces. Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities with room for a wheelchair but limited space for a carer. Call to discuss the underground ride.
What was the best bit?
Seeing the determination as the children painted their pottery models and maybe the exhilaration (or was it terror) on Catrin's face as the barge slowly glided into the plunging waterfall and voices coming out of the darkness retelling stories and legends. Tom and Colin were mesmerised and stunned into silence as they listened to voices bellowing from the deep mystical quarry where their gran used to work for the chief executive, when it was a working quarry 60 years ago.
Opening times?
King Arthur's Labyrinth and Bards'Quest opens daily to November 4, from 10am -the last visit starts at 5pm. Corris Craft Centre and café also open at other times of the year - phone for details.
More details on 01654 761584, info@kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk or www.kingarthurslabyrinth.com
