Big Pit National Coal Museum
Attraction Information
The Big Pit Coal Museum is a former coal mine located in Blaenavon, Wales, that has been converted into a museum. It is dedicated to preserving the history of coal mining in Wales and providing visitors with a unique insight into the lives of the coal miners who worked in the mine.
The museum offers a range of exhibits and experiences, including guided tours of the mine, interactive exhibits, and exhibits on the history and lives of coal miners. Visitors can take a guided tour of the mine, led by former miners who provide insight into the history of the mine and what it was like to work there. The museum has a range of interactive exhibits that simulate the sounds and movements of mining machinery, as well as exhibits that allow visitors to try their hand at tasks such as drilling and hauling coal. Exhibits also showcase the social, economic, and political impact of the industry, as well as the daily lives of coal miners, including their working conditions, family life, and leisure time.
For disabled visitors, the museum offers accessibility features such as wheelchair access to the museum’s underground tour and all public areas, accessible parking spaces near the museum entrance, audio and written guides available in large print and Braille, sensory tours for visitors with autism or sensory impairments, and rest areas and seating throughout the museum.
Accessibility Information
This attraction has its own car park.
Parking is available on each of the three main levels, but to view the mining galleries it is necessary to ascend/descend a fairly steep slope.
Although there are ramps between levels on the surface it has been found that a helper is required for wheelchair users.
The upper car park has dedicated disabled parking and has the smallest decline to the main area.
Parking is £5 however this fee is waived for Blue Badge Users.
Due to the nature of the site there are some steep slopes to navigate to reach different areas, assistance may be required for those in a wheelchair.
The pathways around the site are concrete and can become slippy in wet conditions.
A maximum of 4 wheelchair users to be underground at any one time.
Electric wheelchair users must transfer to a manual wheelchair to view the underground areas – these can be provided by the attraction.
The winding engine house can be accessed by an alternative entrance at the side of the building.
The walk-through simulated mine workings has a guided audio-visual presentation.
Most exhibitions are supported by text for each exhibit and written visual interpretation of the main exhibition theme is clearly displayed.
Induction loops for hearing aids are installed in several locations around the site.
This attraction has 3 accessible toilets located in the following areas:
- Waiting Room ( Unisex )
- Pithead Baths ( Unisex )
- Winder ( Single Sex )
The unisex toilets feature the following:
- Handrails to the side of the toilet and wash basin
- Wash basin with lever-style tap
- Disposal Facilities
- Transfer space to the side of the toilet
The Single Sex toilet features the following
- Handrails to the side of the toilet
- Wash basin with lever-style tap
- Disposal Facilities
- Transfer space to the side of the toilet
Assistance dogs are permitted within this attraction.
Guide dogs for both visually and hearing impaired visitors are welcomed but cannot be taken underground.
Drinking water is offered at the point of entry to all dog owners visiting the site and on request in the cafeteria and coffee shop.
All dog owners are offered pooper-scoopers when entering the museum.
Opening Hours
Open daily
from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Last admission to the underground tour
3:30 pm.
The museum is closed
December 24, 25, 26, and January 1.
Pricing
- Admission to the Big Pit Coal Museum is free, including the underground tour. However, donations are always welcome to support the museum’s conservation and educational activities
Location
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Blaenavon
Torfaen
NP4 9XP