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Meet Carl the pit pony at the NCM Wakefield
Plenty for ''Mini Miners'' at the National Coal Mining Museum Wakefield, one of Yorkshire's top family attractionsNational Coal Mining Museum Wakefield Tourist Information West Yorkshire UK
The National Coal Mining Museum For England sits just west of Wakefield and is easily accessed off both the M62 and M1 motorways. One of Yorkshire's best family days out, the National Coal Mining Museum incorporates the two pits - Caphouse and Hope. Admission is Free to this fun packed and informative attraction which brings the history and heritage of coal mining alive for children and adults alike. A highlight on the complex is the 140 metre deep underground tour (also free!) which kids will love. The NCM is a superb hands on interactive museum where kids can get involved, meet the pit ponies, take rides on the mini train and learn from interactive mining exhibits. The NCM is also home to one of the most extensive mining archives in the country, with on-site library and numerous mining artefacts on display including photography, badges, banners, posters and documents. A comprehensive tour of Yorkshire's mining heritage starts here at the National Coal Mining Museum Wakefield.
National Coal Mining Museum For England, Wakefield
The National Coal Mining Museum recommends allocating at least 3 hours for a visit but you could easily fill a whole day in this fun packed and informative family attraction. Hosted and explained by ex-miner guides you're sure to learn something about the real experience of mining and the lives of miners. The NCM complex is home to two pits - Caphouse and Hope Pit which were in the past connected underground. The underground tour is down Caphouse, whilst Hope Pit is home to numerous historic pit buildings with exhibits focusing on the science of mining and how this smaller pit worked.
The National Coal Mining Museum explores the history of mining in-depth, looking back at the hard days when men, women, children and pit ponies worked down the mine. The two pits here at the NCM are located on the western edge of the Yorkshire coalfield. Evidence suggests that this colliery was mined as far back as 1789.
Extensive interactive exhibitions on-site include the Mining Lives gallery with recreated 1940s Mining family kitchen, exhibits on surface workers including women and children and numerous artefacts relating to Mining unions, sport, galas and brass bands in the mining community. Find out just how hazardous mining has been over the years in the Coal Interface gallery. This gallery also digs deep into mining in other parts of the world and the environmental impact of the industry. Recent new addition gallery - '1842 A Faithful Picture' takes a close look at the history of working women and children in the mines, and sits this in the context of other work undertaken in the 19th century. Other features on the complex to see are the pithead baths and meet the friendly pit ponies (see information on the Pit Pony Adoption Scheme via the NCM's webguide). Also on-site is a cafe, picnic area, museum shop, adventure playground, under 5s play area and mini train. Events and exhibitions run throughout the year, check the webguide for forthcoming details which include superb activities like Brass Band Performances, Family Summer Fun Days, Miners' Gala, Heritage Open Days, Santa Underground and Murder Mystery Nights. The mining archive held in the on-site libary is extensive and includes NUM minutes, Mining Journals, catalogues, newspapers and much more.
National Coal Mining Museum,
Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4 4RH.
Tel 01924 848806. Free Admission.
www.ncm.org.uk
The Underground Tour Caphouse Colliery
The Underground Tour 140 metres down Caphouse Pit here at the NCM is a fascinating experience. Early booking is recommended as this tour down the depths of the mine is very popular and apparently usually booked up by 12 noon in school holiday season. Last trip down is at 3.30pm!
Opening hours are from 10am - 5pm daily, and entrance is FREE!! The tour takes you down 140 metres in a cage and lasts around one hour. You're going down one of Britain's oldest working mines here at Caphouse and you'll learn plenty about mining from the early 1800s to the present. (wear warm clothing even on a hot day!!). Children must be above 5 years old to take the tour.
www.ncm.org.uk
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