National Coal Mining Museum for England

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National Coal Mining Museum for England Experience a unique and exciting day out at the National Coal Mining Museum for England. Located in Wakefield, Yorkshire. Free Entry.

Incredible exhibitions, events, tours and immersive experiences, telling the history of coal mining and its communities. Explore Caphouse, a modern colliery which witnessed more than two hundred years of coal production. Hear stories directly from former-miners about their careers and understand the roles men, women, children, animals and machinery played in the operation of the mine. Find out about the people and communities at the heart of the industry and uncover how the miners lived at work and play. Explore acres of woodland, spotting plants and wildlife and find out how the excess water from the mine is cleaned and pumped back into a local river. Then let off some steam in our Adventure Playground. Find out where miners would start and end their days and how they would get paid in the Pithead Baths. See our historic steam-winding engine in action which pulled miners and coal from 140m underground before taking a trip to the stables to meet our horse and ponies. Understand how difficult mining was in the 19th century and why they realised it wasn’t appropriate to have children working underground. See some of the tools of the trade to discover how miners overcame the challenges of working underground including a new permanent exhibition “A Light in the Darkness” which looks at the contribution that Sir Humphry Davy and others made in the lamp’s evolution.

Take in the beauty of nature this October Half Term with a free tree walk on Wednesday 28 October, 11am-12pm✨🌱Discover a...
20/10/2026

Take in the beauty of nature this October Half Term with a free tree walk on Wednesday 28 October, 11am-12pm✨🌱

Discover all the different trees in our outdoor spaces and get hands-on with nature on this relaxed guided nature walk. This guided walk will be led by The Woodland Trust speaker, Roger Parkinson.

To reserve your free place 👉 (see link in comments)

that Harold White was commissioned by the NCB to photograph coal mines and their mining communities across Great Brita...
20/10/2026

that Harold White was commissioned by the NCB to photograph coal mines and their mining communities across Great Britain between 1950 and 1960.

Harold White joined the British Council as a photographer for their newly formed Photographic Department in 1942, and was later commissioned by the NCB. He enjoyed industrial photography showing people in their working surroundings rather than studio photography - so capturing mining life was perfectly suited to his favoured style of photography.

📸 A black and white glass lantern image showing three sets of head gear and a chimney at Lynemouth Colliery by Harold White. Also visible are sections of wood for roof support and a number of wagons. NCMME Collection.

Grab your wellies and get ready for our Wacky Wednesday Welly Walk, this Wednesday (21 October)!We'll be heading out ont...
19/10/2026

Grab your wellies and get ready for our Wacky Wednesday Welly Walk, this Wednesday (21 October)!

We'll be heading out onto our Nature Trail to explore the colours of nature hidden behind magic secret doors. Under 5s will also make clay owls and cheerio bird feeders to take home - the perfect way to spend an autumnal morning!

10.15am – 11.30am, £5 per child. Pre-book via the link in comments.

Get ready for some spooky Halloween bath bomb making at the Museum! 🎃Join us on Thursday 29 October to create your own v...
18/10/2026

Get ready for some spooky Halloween bath bomb making at the Museum! 🎃

Join us on Thursday 29 October to create your own vibrant fizzy treats from scratch and discover how the ingredients react to create an incredible colour explosion in your bath.

Your spooky creations will be made in Halloween-themed containers, making them the perfect treat to take home.

£10 per child, pre-book via our website or via the link in comments.

17/10/2026

Not long to go until 'Remember the Coal' arrives at the Museum - an incredible show that brings history to life!

Join us on Wednesday 21 October to experience the powerful tale of Britain’s mining industry through original folk songs by Alan Wood and gripping narration by John Snook. From child labour in the pits to the last deep mine closure - the storyline highlights the power of coal over the centuries.

To reserve your place 👉 visit our website or see link in comments.

16/10/2026

We're thrilled to have Calderdale Big Band back at the Museum for a spectacular Christmas concert on Sunday 13 December! 🎄🎶

Celebrate the festive season in style, with unforgettable live music that will get everyone’s feet tapping and spirits soaring!

The Calderdale Big Band, based in Halifax, are known for their swing, jazz, and contemporary arrangements – the perfect soundtrack to the most magical time of the year.

Tickets are £12 Adult, £10 Child, and can be booked via the link in comments.

We have this mighty machine - a Samson Twin Arm Loader - in our collection, but what did it do?The Samson Loader was use...
16/10/2026

We have this mighty machine - a Samson Twin Arm Loader - in our collection, but what did it do?

The Samson Loader was used in underground tunnels to load coal or stone. Its twin-gathering arms scraped the material up a ramp and onto a central conveyor. The conveyor then transferred it to a fixed conveyor belt or a coal tub.

The loader moved on tracks, allowing it to travel into newly excavated areas. On this model, the conveyor’s straight projecting arm could swing 45 degrees to either side, with a scraper chain running down it.

Discover through a captivating performance on Wednesday 21 October, the story of the mining industry, told in original s...
15/10/2026

Discover through a captivating performance on Wednesday 21 October, the story of the mining industry, told in original songs, all written and performed in folk style by Alan Wood, one of Yorkshire’s finest singer/songwriters, supported with a spoken narrative by John Snook.

The show highlights the changes that took place in society throughout that period and, mentioning the disasters and tragedies that accompanied coal mining, and illustrates how mining influenced wider changes within other industries and society in general.

To find out more, £15 per person or £30 family ticket, pre-book via the link in the comments.

When Bud evolves into Ponyta... 🔥This October Half Term, join us for a Pokémon-tastic day on Wednesday 28 October with a...
15/10/2026

When Bud evolves into Ponyta... 🔥

This October Half Term, join us for a Pokémon-tastic day on Wednesday 28 October with a free Pokémon trail and Pokémon GO fun!

For £5 per child, join our pre-bookable Pokémon Party (1pm & 2pm). Our Pokémon Trainer will lead children through fun-filled, high-energy activities and Pokémon-themed games.

Will you catch them all? Pre-book the Pokémon Party via the link in comments.

15/10/2026

Address

Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton
Wakefield
WF44RH

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9:45am - 5pm
Thursday 9:45am - 5pm
Friday 9:45am - 5pm
Saturday 9:45am - 5pm
Sunday 9:45am - 5pm

Telephone

+441924848806

Website

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