:Zip World

Zip World was created by Sean Taylor, an ex-Royal Marines commando from the Conwy Valley, based on his military experiences using zip lines and sky-diving.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-05 |title=ZipWorld |url=https://tradeandinvest.wales/inside-story/zipworld |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Trade & Investment {{!}} Wales |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Zip World's North Wales adventures |url=https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/adventure-sports/zip-worlds-north-wales-adventures |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=VisitWales |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Sean |date=2018-10-10 |title=Zip World Wales, turns heritage on its head |url=https://www.wales.com/visit/adventure-activities/turning-heritage-its-head |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Wales.com |language=en}} Taylor focused on converting heritage industrial sites into adventure playgrounds, making North Wales into an important adventure activity centre in Europe. Taylor launched 'Treetop Adventures' in 2007 (now Zip World Fforest).

"Zip World" was launched in 2013 with 8 staff, with the opening of Zip World Velocity at Penrhyn quarry in March. In 2014, Zip World Titan and Bounce Below at Llechwedd Slate Caverns opened, followed by Zip World Caverns at the same location in 2015. Zip World Fforest, a redevelopment of Treetop Adventures, opened in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Zip World - Our Adventure |url=https://www.zipworld.co.uk/about-us/zip-world-adventure |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=zipworld.co.uk}}

In August 2017, it became sponsors of Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay, branding it as {{lang|cy|Stadiwm Zip World}},{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Tom |date=2017-08-09 |title=New name for Parc Eirias revealed |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-name-parc-eirias-revealed-13451727 |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}} which was retained as the brand name until a new sponsor took over in June 2022.{{Cite web |title=Council announces new stadium sponsor |url=https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Spotlight/Press-Releases/Council-announces-new-stadium-sponsor.aspx |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=www.conwy.gov.uk}}

In 2021, the company had 250 staff, with up to 3,500 visitors per day during the peak holiday periods. The company stated it was set to report a turnover of £10 million for 2021, with a profit of £5.5 million.

The company is said to be valued at almost £100 million by September 2022,{{Cite web |last=Pyke |first=Chris |date=2021-06-22 |title=Former Royal Marine Commando behind thrilling Zip World brand |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/former-royal-marine-commando-behind-20864691 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Business Live |language=en}} and has ambitions to expand further, but remaining based in Wales and being regarded as a Welsh company. The company bought out a business operating in the Lake District and Manchester and is looking to the accommodation and sustainable transport sectors, while considering a rebrand by the end of 2022, potentially "ZW" to address their increasingly non-Zip line business.{{Cite web |title=Rebrand and potential expansion for top Welsh tourist attraction |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/22569970.owner-sean-taylor-zip-world-rebranding-expansion/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}

In January 2025, it was majority sold to Dolphin Capital, with Taylor retaining a minority stake. The deal was valued at £100 million.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=Zip World: Adventure company sold in £100m deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78xn94jdndo |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{Update|part=section|date=January 2025}}

Zip World operates four sites, three in North Wales and one in South Wales. Three northern sites are in close proximity to each other and comprises sites at Penrhyn quarry, Llechwedd Slate Caverns, and Zip World Fforest near Betws-y-Coed. It also operates the Zip World Tower in Rhondda Cynon Taf in south Wales.{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Rhys |date=2022-08-31 |title=Zip World to offer family adventures for free this September |url=https://www.wales247.co.uk/zip-world-to-offer-family-adventures-for-free-this-september |access-date=2022-11-09 |language=en-US}} Zip World was scheduled to open the Skyflyer airship in Rhyl, north Wales in July, then August 2022, however the launch was postponed to early 2023 due to bad weather and engineering issues.{{Cite web |title=experience adventure at rhyl |url=https://www.zipworld.co.uk/location/rhyl |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=zipworld.co.uk}}{{Cite web |last1=Ahmed |first1=Reem |last2=Whilding |first2=Alex |date=2022-05-15 |title=Zip World announces Skyflyer experience that will allow you to float at 400ft |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/zip-world-announces-skyflyer-experience-23964725 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Zip World's new Skyflyer attraction in Rhyl deflated following launch postponement |url=https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/20592976.zip-worlds-new-skyflyer-rhyl-deflated-launch-postponement/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Rhyl Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Zip World's Skyflyer now to launch in Rhyl in 2023 |url=https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/20594285.zip-worlds-skyflyer-launch-rhyl-2023-resident-complains-ugly-eyesore/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Rhyl Journal |language=en}}

{{Main|Penrhyn quarry}}

Zip World Penrhyn Quarry houses the world's fastest, and Europe's longest zip line, known as Velocity 2. The four parallel zip lines span almost {{Convert|1|mi|km|abbr=off}} across and {{Convert|500|ft|m}} over the quarry's lake, reaching speeds over {{Convert|100|mph|km/h}}.{{Cite web |title=Zip World Penrhyn Quarry - High Wire in Bangor, Bethesda - Show Me Wales |url=https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/showmewales/things-to-do/zip-world-penrhyn-quarry-p1718171 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=www.visitmidwales.co.uk}}{{Cite web |date=2019-10-05 |title=Snowdonia activity break: dream trips for daredevils |url=http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/oct/05/snowdonia-snowdon-north-wales-activity-holiday-climbing-zipline-karting-caving-walking |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

{{Main|Llechwedd Slate Caverns}}

Zip World Llechwedd Adventures, based around the Llechwedd slate mines, offers a Deep Mine Tour of the caverns, an underground trampoline park known as Bounce Below, the world's largest underground zip wire course, and multiple stand-alone zip lines termed "Titan", including Europe's first four-person zip line as well as a shorter {{Convert|30|m|ft|order=flip}} zip line.{{Cite web |title=Have a family fun day out at Zip World |url=https://www.northwalesholidaycottages.co.uk/things-to-do-in-north-wales/zip-world/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=North Wales Holiday Cottages}}{{Cite web |title=Zip World Titan - Go North Wales |url=https://www.gonorthwales.co.uk/things-to-do/zip-world-titan-p376261 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.gonorthwales.co.uk}} The site opened the world's first underground golf course in the site's caverns in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Rhys |date=2022-08-08 |title=Review: Zip World's 500ft underground golf course in Welsh mine |url=https://www.wales247.co.uk/review-zip-worlds-500ft-underground-golf-course-in-welsh-mine |access-date=2022-11-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Rhys |date=2022-07-28 |title=First look at Zip World's new Underground Golf activity |url=https://www.wales247.co.uk/first-look-at-zip-worlds-new-underground-golf-activity |access-date=2022-11-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Zip World to launch world's first underground golf site in North Wales |url=https://www.deeside.com/zip-world-to-launch-worlds-first-underground-golf-site-in-north-wales/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Deeside.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=Zip World reveals construction of world-first 'Underground Golf' course in Welsh slate quarry |url=https://nation.cymru/news/zip-world-reveals-construction-of-world-first-underground-golf-course-in-welsh-slate-quarry/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}

Zip World Fforest houses the UK's only alpine coaster, Europe's largest net walkway {{Convert|60|ft|m}} above the ground, and Zip Safari 2, a hanging zip-line and obstacle course {{Convert|60|ft|m}} above ground. It also houses, a 'Tree Hoppers' beginner assault course, the {{Convert|100|ft|m}} Plummet 2 tandem drop high tower, Europe's highest giant swing Skyride 2, and a {{Convert|1|km|mi}} Fforest Coaster through woodlands.

Zip World Tower, near Aberdare in the Rhigos mountain range in South Wales, is situated at the former Tower Colliery coal mining site, housing Phoenix and Tower Flyer.{{Cite web |title=Zip World Tower |url=https://www.breconbeacons.org/business/activity-zip-world-tower |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2019-11-12 |title=Zip wire plans for former Tower Colliery site submitted |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-50387214 |access-date=2022-11-10}}

The company was initially granted permission to set up a {{Convert|450|ft|m|adj=on}} attraction between St John's Beacon and the Liverpool Central Library in 2020, but was scrapped following local opposition.{{Cite news |date=2019-12-19 |title=Plans for UK's 'first permanent' city zip line submitted |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-50857208 |access-date=2022-11-10}}

In 2021, Taylor also announced his ambitions to search for new sites, including one in Scotland, in three national parks in England, and one south of Dublin in Ireland. Although Taylor stated his preference for 8–10 sites in the UK, across key UK regions. Devon was stated at the time as being a leading contender for the company's next site and the first site outside Wales.

Potential sites for Zip World in the Lake District and Manchester have been proposed following the company's purchase of a business with operations in those locations in 2022, bringing the company's site count to potentially seven. In July 2022, a local partnership for the Lake District National Park, opened a survey over potential plans by Burlington Stone, proposing partnering with Zip World, for an "adventure tourism experience" at Elterwater quarry, Langdale, in the Lake District. 30,000 people signed an E-petition against the proposal.{{Cite web |title=Zip World Plans for Elterwater Quarry |url=https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/faqs/proposals-for-the-future-of-elterwater-quarry |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Friends of the Lake District |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2022-06-14 |title=Lake District theme park: Thousands oppose Langdale quarry plans |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-61789859 |access-date=2022-11-10}}{{Cite web |last=Quarry |first=Elterwater |date=2022-06-17 |title=Home |url=https://elterwaterquarry.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Elterwater Quarry |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-14 |title=Lake District 'rollercoaster theme park' plans meet with opposition |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/14/lake-district-rollercoaster-theme-park-plans-meet-with-opposition |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Thousands petition against plans to turn Lake District quarry into 'theme park' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/border/2022-06-15/thousands-petition-against-plans-to-turn-lake-district-quarry-into-theme-park |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=ITV News |language=en}}

In 2025, it plans to open a site at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and the Elterwater site.

{{reflist}}{{Tourism in Wales}}

Category:2013 establishments in Wales

Category:Companies of Wales