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July 5 2008
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National Coal Mining Museum for England
  National Coal Mining Museum for England
Caphouse Colliery
New Road
Overton
Wakefield
WF4 4RH
West Yorkshire
England
Visitors on the underground tour (c) National Coal Mining Museum for England
Collection details
Archives, Fine Art, Industry, Natural Sciences, Science and Technology, Social History
Facilities
Parking: yes Food: yes Shop: yes Guided tours: yes Baby changing facilities: yes Library: yes Study area: yes Wheelchair access: yes Visual disability facilities: yes
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Contact details
General information (Tel) : 01924 848806
General information (Fax) : 01924 844567
E-mail : info@ncm.org.uk
Website : www.ncm.org.uk
Open
Daily 10.00-17.00

Closed
Closed 24-26 December & 1 January
Admission charges
Free admission
Description
The National Coal Mining Museum for England is a great day out and gives visitors the unique opportunity to travel 140 metres underground, down one of Britain’s oldest working mines, where models and machinery depict methods and conditions of mining from the early 1800’s to the present. Experienced local miners guide parties around the underground workings. Above ground visit the pit ponies, find out more about the development of mining and its communities in the exhibitions around the site, take a train ride, see the steam winder and visit the pit head baths. The Museum also has a well-stocked shop where you can get your very own mining memorabilia.
Collections description
The Museum is centred around two late-18th/early-19th century coal mining shafts, with the historic buildings and machinery forming part of the collections. The wooden headgear and steam winding engine at the Caphouse site are unique survivals from a small rural colliery.

The collections reflect life and work in the English coalfields. They range from coal cutters to mining art and literature, and from oral history records to miners’ lamps. The collection has a strong Yorkshire flavour, but also contains much of the British Coal collection from the British coal mining regions.

Fine collections exist of photographs, lamps and checks, small handtools, large mining machinery, and art by and about miners. There is an excellent library that includes an important collection of coal mining fiction.

Articles
Collecting Cultures - HLF Announces Grants For Acquisitions
Bevin Boys Veterans Receive Recognition At National Coal Mining Museum
Buy A Brick Campaign Launched At National Coal Mining Museum
£1.95m For Redevelopment At Mining Museum Of England
News In Brief - Week Ending March 2 2008
News In Brief - Week Ending February 3 2008
News In Brief - Week Ending January 21 2008

Trails
VE Day 60 Years: The Bevin Boys - Fighting The War From The Coalface
Take the Green Guide trail round West Yorkshire

Events
Basically Banners at the National Coal Mining Museum for England  ; Exhibition
 

Available resources
Dig Deeper  Workshop
Fred at the Pit Head Baths  Workshop
Mrs Lockwood's kitchen  Workshop
Sally Fletcher - It's a hard life  Workshop
 

General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Information point provided
Parking for coaches
Guided tours
Collections
General guide to collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Disability Access
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
General audio-guide available
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
Baby changing facilities
Children's play area
Events and resources for children and families
Indoor soft play area
Picnic area
General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
General audio-guide available
Loan service
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Facilities
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
General audio-guide available
Library
Library with public access
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Picnic area
Refreshments
Research facilities for academics
Shop