Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon, South Wales

30 years as a mining museum, April 2013

A virtual miner talks you through the galleries



Waiting to descend in the cage

Situated on the mountain above Blaenavon, Big Pit celebrated its 30th anniversary in April.  After this coal mine ceased production, it re-opened in 1983 as a private museum.  Now part of the National Museum of Wales, members of the public can experience descending in the original pit cage to a depth of 90 feet beneath the Welsh countryside.  Former miners work as Tour Guides to ensure a full appreciation of the hard dangerous work of the coal miner, complete with jokes, wisecracks and humour along the way.  The underground tour, wearing safety helmet and light with lighting pack, includes the stables where pit ponies were housed until replaced by machinery.



Pithead Baths with towels

Opened in 1880, over its productive lifetime this pit produced around a quarter of a million tons of saleable coal a year.

Above ground, to add to the visitor's experience, the pithead baths, and lamp room still remain, complete with canaries, alongside the canteen, which now serves as a child friendly cafe.

For those who may not wish to descend underground, there are walk-in galleries, providing an illustration, complete with commentary and visual effects of the work underground.

The mist came down as we were leaving.

The shop stocks excellent quality products, including jewellery, china and soft toys.  Ideal to find a reminder of your visit, or an unusual gift.