Great Orme, Hill and conservation site in Conwy County Borough, Wales
Great Orme is a limestone headland on Wales' north coast that stretches roughly 3 kilometers in length. The promontory rises about 207 meters above sea level and features limestone cliffs, grassland, and areas rich in plant life.
People have extracted copper from this place since about 1800 BC using simple stone and bone tools. This early mining activity makes it one of Europe's oldest known copper mining sites.
The name comes from Norse seafarers who saw the headland's outline and thought of a sea creature. This reflects the long connection between this place and the traders who once sailed these waters.
A cable railway reliably carries visitors to the top. The way up is fairly straightforward, and you can walk down if you prefer to take your time.
A herd of around 200 Kashmiri goats has lived on the limestone cliffs since arriving in the 1800s. These animals remain part of the landscape today and add an unexpected element to the place.
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