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Big Pit Museum

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About

Experience the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere of an authentic coal mine. Set in the unique Blaenafon Industrial Landscape and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Big Pit used to employ up to 1,300 workers.

Now you can follow in their footsteps through award-winning interactive exhibits and our world-famous underground tour.
Led by a real miner, the tour will take you 300ft underground through original mine workings. It will give you a living, breathing taste of what life was like for those who made their living at the coal face.

On the surface, enjoy a virtual tour of a modern coal mine in the multi-media exhibition King Coal: The Mining Experience.

The Pithead Baths exhibition, with its warm wit, images and objects brings to life the story of coal mining in Wales. A moving, informative and entertaining exploration of the lives of miners and their families, at work and at home.

Don’t miss the Lamp Room with our real-life canaries, the Blacksmith’s Forge, the Fan House and the Explosives Magazine.

We have events, activities and exhibitions throughout the year.
For more details, visit www.museum.wales/bigpit or call (029) 2057 3650.

Visitor information & facilities:
- Admission is free
- Car park charge
- Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must be over 1 metre tall to go underground.
- The underground tour takes approximately one hour and everyone must wear a helmet and carry a lamp weighing approx. 5kgs
- Allow 3-4 hours for your visit
- Please wear warm clothing and sensible footwear – paths underground can be uneven or slippery in places, with steps and low areas
- Groups of ten or more and wheelchair users must book in advance for the underground tour
- Groups and individuals can book a timeslot for the underground tour at a small charge. Details: www.museum.wales/bigpit/visit/jobaknock
- Canteen and gift shop (all year) plus seasonal coffee shop
- The museum and underground tour are accessible to wheelchairs users. Please call us for details or visit our website.

Opening times
Open daily February-October: 9.30am–5pm (last admission 4pm)
Underground tours run frequently 10am–3.30pm.

Please check with the Museum before making a special trip.
Please call for November to January details.

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Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Wheelchairs available

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Facilities for educational visits
  • Facilities for groups

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

  • Facilities for conferencing

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Follow signs from the A465 and the M4 (J26 eastbound and J25 westbound) Accessible by Public Transport: Newport station is 0 miles away.

Public Transport Directions

Buses run from Newport daily (Monday to Saturday) number X30. Bus times from Newport: 8.45 am; 10.45 am; 12.45 pm ; 2.45 pm. Return bus, leaving Big Pit: 10.55 am; 12.55 pm; 2.55 pm; 4.55 pm.

Big Pit: National Coal Museum

Type:Museum

Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenavon, Torfaen, NP4 9XP
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Call direct on:

Tel0300 111 2 333

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

* Open daily 09:30 - 16:30; last admission 15:30.
Underground tours run 10:00 - 15:00 (tours may be suspended at busy periods).

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