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All the United Kingdom Wales Torfaen Big Pit National Coal Museum

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Go deep down into the earth to experience the world of Welsh coal miners.

Torfaen, Wales

Added By
Karitxa
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The Big Pit winding tower.   Wiki User: Steinsky
The Big Pit winding tower.   Wiki User: Steinsky
Big Pit Mining Museum near Blaenafon, Wales   Wiki User: Rafaël Delaedt
Big Pit Coal Mine Museum   Wiki User: Hywel Williams
Tank engine at Big Pit   toptaff / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  Driftwood1966 / Atlas Obscura User
  Driftwood1966 / Atlas Obscura User
Big Pit windings on a misty day.   toptaff / Atlas Obscura User
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About

 An active coal mine from 1860 to 1980, the Big Pit National Coal Museum now acts as a learning tool to preserve the rich Welsh heritage of the Industrial Revolution.

"The Big Pit" refers to the main shaft of the mine. Dug in 1860, the oblong tunnel is 18x13 ft. and was sunk 200 ft. deep at first, and then another 100 ft. in 1880. It was the first shaft built to support two tramways, and for over 100 years, the colliery was the most critical mine in town out of hundreds. Originally used for mining ironstone, the late 19th century demand for coal overtook Wales, and Blaenavon as well as many other Welsh towns jumped on the opportunity to specialize in the staple of the industrial revolution. 

Now a preserved location-turned museum, the operational attraction won the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize in 2005 and has seen over 3 million visitors. Water still flows from the tunnels as they did when the mine was functional, and has large scale industrial equipment dating back to 1810. The Big Pit railway station delivers visitors to the museum on a single track built specifically for this purpose. 

Visitors taking the 50 minute underground tour are armed with hard hats, safety lamps, and a waist belt with a battery and rebreather that will filter toxic air for an hour—just in case. The tour takes you 300 ft. below the surface, Like all mines, Big Pit has had its share of disasters, and carbon monoxide poisoning is a reality of the mine no matter who is surveying its depths. Before the tour begins, visitors are briefed on safety procedures and anything on their person that can spark, including anything containing a dry cell battery.

After returning to the surface, visit the other buildings on the ground to get a feeling for how working at the colliery felt. Still standing are many buildings including the showers and sickbay of the old colliery.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Mines Subterranean Sites

Know Before You Go

Items including watches, phones and cigarette lighters will be collected and stored in lockers for the duration of the underground tour. Large bags are not allowed underground. 

Entrance is free, and the underground tours take place regularly with no need to book.  The last underground tour is at 3:30pm, so plan to arrive in plenty of time.

The mine contains low ceilings and the lift to the bottom can be a squeeze. Visitors with limited mobility or in wheelchairs must read the information on the website prior to arrival.

Community Contributors

Added By

Karitxa

Edited By

Rachel, bengt, jooniur, abirayner...

  • Rachel
  • bengt
  • jooniur
  • abirayner
  • toptaff
  • rbenn250
  • Driftwood1966

Published

May 14, 2014

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  • http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/bigpit/ (This is a corrected website. Listed one goes elsewhere.)
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Torfaen, Wales, NP4 9XP
United Kingdom
51.771905, -3.106273
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Blaenavon Ironworks

Blaenavon, Wales

miles away

Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones

Blaenau Gwent, Wales

miles away

Morbitorium

Pontywaun, Wales

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Wales

Wales

United Kingdom

Places 138
Stories 21

Nearby Places

Blaenavon Ironworks

Blaenavon, Wales

miles away

Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones

Blaenau Gwent, Wales

miles away

Morbitorium

Pontywaun, Wales

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Wales

Wales

United Kingdom

Places 138
Stories 21

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