Big Pit National Coal Museum
Blaenavon, Gwent
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Featured Location Guide |
"A part of the World
Heritage Site Blaenavon Industrial Landscape"
Big Pit is now a museum in Blaenavon in South
Wales, which is dedicated to the Welsh history of coal mining. Until it closed
in 1980 it was a working coal mine, first opening in 1860. It stands on the edge
of Blaenavon, a town that played a vital part in the Industrial Revolution.
World Heritage Status has been designated to the town and landscape which marks
the wider impact of Blaenavon's industrial heritage.
by
Chris Gunns
It is called 'Big Pit' because it was the first
shaft in Wales large enough to take two tramways (5.5m by 4.6m), at its deepest
the shaft was 293ft. It was the first mine in South Wales to be
electrified and by 1910 the ventilating fan, pumps and underground haulage
system were worked by electricity. The original twin cylinder horizontal winding
gear however was steam driven right up to 1953, when it too was electrified.
Coal winding stopped in 1973 when a new drift was driven allowing coal to be
brought to the surface near to the washery. The shaft then only being used to
transport men and for ventilation.
In 1908 it provided employment for 1,122
people, but by 1970 this had decreased to 494, and by its' closure in 1980 only
250 were employed. Up until 1939 miners travelled to and from work in their
working clothes, but in that year the pithead baths were opened. Each miner had
two lockers - one for his clean clothes and one for his working clothes,
separated by the showers. In today's museum the baths now house an exhibition
and a licensed café.
In 1983 Big Pit re-opened as a Museum. What you
will be able to see and experience on a visit includes:
An hour-long underground tour, led by
ex-miners, which takes you down 300 feet in the pit cage to walk through
underground roadways, air doors stables and engine houses.
On the surface you can
explore the colliery buildings which include:
- the winding engine-house,
- the blacksmiths' forge
- Fan House
- Stables
- the Pithead baths where you can
learn more about the story of coal and its extraction from below the
ground as well as the people who worked within the industry. There is
also a 'traditional' mining exhibition with flame safety lamps, tools
of the trade and displays.
- within the mining galleries there is
a 20 minute audio-visual presentation of life at the coal face and the
methods of coal mining. You are taken through a simulated mine with
the use of light and sound to bring the modern coal face to life.
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by
Peter Evans
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| Big Pit National Coal
Museum is an Anchor Point of ERIH, The
European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Nearby locations include the preserved
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway.
It is run and managed by the National Museum
Wales, and because of this entry is FREE.
Allow 3-4 hours for your visit, an hour of
which is taken for the underground tour.
by
Mick Lobb
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Click on the
smaller images to see a larger version
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Planning Grid
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Location: |
Big Pit Coal Museum, Blaenavon, Gwent |
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Grid Reference: |
SO237087 |
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Getting there: |
From the M4 — follow the brown Tourism signs
from J25a (westbound) or J26 (eastbound). Also signposted off the A465 at
Brynmawr and Abergavenny. |
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Access: |
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Parking: |
Free parking on site, disabled parking on each
of three main levels. |
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Facilities: |
Pithead baths canteen offering meals and
snacks, Coffee shop open during peak season , Gift shop. |
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Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
Underground tour, buildings |
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What to take: |
warm clothing and suitable footwear for the
underground tour. |
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Nature highlights: |
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Address: |
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Blaenafon
Torfaen |
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Postcode: |
NP4 9XP |
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Telephone: |
(01495) 790 311 |
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Opening times: |
Open daily 9.30am–5pm. Underground tours run
10am–3.30pm.
Call for December and January opening times |
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Charges: |
FREE |
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Photo Restrictions: |
Can't take camera underground. |
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Other Restrictions: |
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Special Needs Access: |
On the side of a steep hill and on a number of
different levels. Ramps provided but they are long and climb arduous. Floor
can be uneven or slippery in places and there are steps to negotiate. One or
two places underground are low and you will need to bend your head. During
underground tour need to walk for 700 metres wearing safety hat and carrying
a lamp which weights 5 kilos. Maximum 4 wheelchair users underground per
tour. |
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Special Needs Facilities: |
Wheelchairs available on request, toilets but
not underground |
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Children Facilities: |
Baby changing facilities, in Pit Head baths
and coffee shop building. Children must be over one metre tall to go
underground |
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Dogs Allowed: |
Assistant dogs are allowed, guide dogs are not
allowed underground. |
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