National Coal Mining Museum For England

Spent a delightful day here, the underground tour made all the more interesting as guides were all former colliery workers, well organised good to see how labour used to be!!!!!

The NCM Museum was absorbing to visit - but my abiding memory is of losing a lens out of my spectacles down a lift shaft! I’m not going to be seeing that lens again in a hurry! Well, it was my own fault - that’ll teach me to check my lenses are properly screwed in before visiting a deep dark coal mine again! (I don’t think I’m actually going to be visiting a deep dark coal mine any time soon, but, you know, be prepared…)

I liked the social history about the miners’ lives best - it’s always sobering to hear accounts of how people lived what is really just a short amount of time ago. Also the locomotive ride was fun and the pit ponies were adorable. Although I kept my fingers well clear when they were chewing. Recommended.

Any place that can provide enough to keep our two kids (aged 5 and 3) occupied for 6 hours has to be good. In the morning I took the 5-year-old down the mine (an excellent tour, although he wanted to go back up to the surface by the end), whilst my wife explored the under-5s play area with the 3-year-old (they both enjoyed it!). In the afternoon there was a train ride, a walk, several interactive exhibitions to explore and -- best of all -- a free rubber when we completed a challenge in one of the Halls. Top marks to the staff, who were consistently friendly and knowledgeable; and top marks to the museum too, for making it a great day out whilst maintaining the dignity and social history of a very human industry.

This is a great museum. As the previous reviewer says, it was a working mine, and the tour guides are all ex miners, so they really know what they are talking about and are very happy to answer your questions! It’s all completely safe and a real insight into what was a huge industry. There is also loads to do above ground, with pit ponies to visit, an exhibition area and a very reasonable cafe. On certain days, they also have staff doing role plays in the exhibition ares which is great for kids. This is a unique museum and I recommend it.

This used to be a working mine. They now have a museum showing how mines used to be run along with social history sections dealing with things like children in mines and the miners strike in the 80’s. During the summer they often run a little train car between the 2 main areas. During holidays they run craft workshops and talks by actors dressed in costume. There is also a short nature walk round the site (short enough for 2 small children to enjoy) though it does go up and down quite a bit.

Highlight of any visit would be the underground tour. This needs to booked at reception and spaces can run out on busy days. No bags or electrical items are allowed underground (including cameras and phones), but these can be left with staff at the pit surface. Can be cold in the pit and you need to wear sensible shoes. Under 5’s are not allowed underground.

Whilst access to the visitors centre and underground tour is free, use of the little train attracts a small charge.

From 22 Nov they offer santa special underground tours. These are chargeable but the kids do get a present from santa. I’m really looking forward to taking the kids this year.

There is a cafe with serves reasonably priced food and outdoor areas for picnics.

This review doesn’t include many of the things there are to see. Go - its really worth a day out.