Big Pit - Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blaenavon, Wales
01.09.2017
Big Pit in Blaenavon, Wales is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the rich history of coal mining in the country. This award-winning museum offers a unique and immersive experience, taking visitors on a journey through time to discover the life of a coal miner.
The museum is located in a former coal mine and is a part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was first opened as a museum in 1983 and has since welcomed millions of visitors from all over the world.
As you enter the site, you will be greeted by a blacksmith who will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing techniques using the same tools and methods used by miners in the past. You can also explore the underground tunnels, which are guided by former miners who share their personal experiences and stories.
One of the highlights of the museum is the famous underground tour, where visitors can descend 300 feet below ground level to experience the working conditions of a coal miner. The tour is led by experienced guides who provide a fascinating insight into the life of a miner, from the tools they used to the dangers they faced on a daily basis.
In addition to the underground tour, there are also exhibitions and interactive displays that showcase the history of coal mining in Wales. Visitors can see the evolution of mining technology and how it has impacted the lives of miners and their families.
Big Pit is a family-friendly attraction, with activities and workshops for children to participate in, such as coal shoveling and storytelling. There is also a cafe on-site serving traditional Welsh food, as well as a gift shop where you can purchase authentic coal mining souvenirs.
Whether you are a history buff, a curious traveler, or simply looking for a unique and educational experience, a visit to Big Pit in Blaenavon, Wales should not be missed. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and hard work of the miners who played a crucial role in shaping the industrial landscape of Wales. So come and discover the fascinating world of coal mining at Big Pit.
The area around Blaenavon is evidence of the pre-eminence of South Wales as the world's major producer of iron and coal in the 19th century. All the necessary elements can still be seen - coal and ore mines, quarries, a primitive railway system, furnaces, workers' homes, and the social infrastructure of their community.
Big Pit National Coal Museum (Welsh: Pwll Mawr Amgueddfa Lofaol Cymru) is an industrial heritage museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales. A working coal mine from 1880 to 1980, it was opened to the public in 1983 as a charitable trust called the Big Pit (Blaenavon) Trust. By 1 February 2001 Big Pit Coal Museum was incorporated into the National Museums and Galleries of Wales as the National Mining Museum of Wales. The site is dedicated to operational preservation of the Welsh heritage of coal mining, which took place during the Industrial Revolution.
Located adjacent to the preserved Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Big Pit is part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, a World Heritage Site, and an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, in and around Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales, was inscribed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
The Blaenavon Ironworks, now a museum, was a major centre of iron production using locally mined or quarried iron ore, coal and limestone.
Raw materials and products were transported via horse-drawn tramroads, canals and steam railways.
The Landscape includes protected or listed monuments of the industrial processes, transport infrastructure, workers' housing and other aspects of early industrialisation in South Wales.
