National Coal Mining Museum

Don a hard hat & miners lamp to ride the cage 140 metres underground to explore this old coal mine in Yorkshire.  In the company of a former miner, you’ll be able to re-live the life of a miner deep underground in this powerful 80 minute tour.  Take in the sights & smells of a world below as you start with a journey down to the floor of the mine using the original mine cage. Once at the bottom, you’ll navigate through a succession of twists & turns as you discover the conditions for coal miners through the years.

National Coal Mining Museum; Underground Tour

This journey is brought alive by the lively tour guides & former miners; each guide brings his own unique perspective to the tour and makes for a compelling experience.  We’ve taken a few of these tours over the past few years and we honestly think these guides are second to none.  The guide adapts the tour to engage with the make-up of each group; children might be finding themselves shoveling coal, others maybe lifting machinery or crawling through confined spaces all coupled with tales from your guide of their experiences of working down the pit.

In a sense we are the fortunate ones that can experience a contemporary look at the coal mines & take on board the harsh realities for the miners through the generations.

National Coal Mining Museum Underground Tours

Underground Tours; Practical Information

1. On weekends & school holidays, underground tours are pre-bookable so worth booking online in advance to avoid disappointment. The museum does keep back half of the tours for arrivals on the day. Should you wish to book on the day, it’s best to arrive as the museum opens to book your underground tour.

2. To book you will be asked to pay a deposit, (around £7.50) and will receive a traditional miners ‘check’.  At the end of the tour you have the option of keeping the check and donating your deposit to the museum or ask for your deposit back – the choice is yours.

3. For health & safety reasons, bags, battery operated equipment, (mobiles, cameras, key fobs, watches) nor smoking materials, (lighters, cigarettes) cannot be taken underground.  Small items can be left on site, securely locked away, until your return to the surface.

4. Each person undertaking the tour, will need to carry a 2 kg battery pack & lamp, throughout the tour.

5. Yes, it’s dark and space is confined underground so this won’t work for everyone but it’s worth it to get a sense of working conditions for miners through the generations.

6. Children must be 5 years & older for the underground tours.

7. More information available over at National Coal Mining Museum.

National Coal Mining Museums Pit Ponies

National Coal Mining Museum

1. Furnace Shaft; stand on the strengthened glass topped furnace shaft with a view 140 metres down to the bottom of the mine if you dare!

2. Time Tunnel; an immersive digital experience transporting you back through the centuries packed with sounds, smells and a special effects finale.

3. The Pit Ponies; visit the resident ponies, Eric & Ernie and discover the important role they played within the coal mining industry.

4. Exhibitions; for those interesting in learning more about the coal mining industry, check out the extensive collection of photographs, historic artifacts & exhibits.

5. Playground; small outdoor adventure playground  suitable for children 10 years & under.

6. Picnics; there is ample space outdoors if you opt to bring a picnic.  There is an indoor picnic area, normally used for group bookings, but always worth an ask at the front desk to see if this area is free on the day of your visit.  There is also a large cafeteria on site that provides a selection of hot & cold food & drinks.

7. Parking; great to see that parking is FREE of charge at the National Coal Mining Museum.

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