5/5 Ian M. 2 years ago on Google
What
an
incredible
museum.
From
the
outset,
let
me
suggest
you
book
the
underground
tour
(I'll
come
back
to
this).There
is
ample
parking
on
site,
which
is
pay
and
display,
so
don't
forget
your
ticket.
We
arrived
for
10am,
with
our
underground
tour
starting
at
10:45.
This
have
us
a
chance
to
see
some
of
the
surface
exhibits
before
"going
down
the
pit".
On
booking
in,
you'll
be
given
your
tickets
and
a
leaflet
containing
a
map
of
local
attractions
/
trails
around
the
area,
plus
a
map
of
the
Big
Pit
site.
After
a
little
wander
around,
we
went
to
the
waiting
room
for
the
tour.
While
they
are
now
taking
groups
underground,
a
mask
IS
required
for
the
tour,
even
for
children.
Our
guide
was
a
wonderfully
knowledgeable
lady
called
Emma.
She
is
an
apprentice
at
Big
pit
and
you
can
tell
she
loves
her
job.
The
tour
encompasses
being
kitted
out
with
miners
lamp
and
a
hard
hat,
then
giving
up
your
"contraband"
-
that
is
anything
with
a
battery,
smoking
equipment
etc.
Big
pit
is
classed
as
a
working
mine,
so
they
have
to
abide
by
regulations
(gas
explosions
caused
by
sparks
are
not
nice!).
From
there,
its
into
the
cage
and
a
90m
drop
down
the
shaft
to
pit
bottom.
I
won't
spoil
your
tour
by
giving
away
more
details.
Its
fascinating
and
you'll
really
enjoy
it.
I'm
a
taller
chap,
and
did
spend
some
time
ducking
under
support
rings
and
such,
but
the
hard
hat
did
a
splendid
job
of
keeping
my
head
safe.
There
are
some
low
tunnels,
but
nothing
bad.
See
if
you
can
find
a
little
piece
of
coal
to
take
home.
Once
back
on
the
surface,
we
collected
our
things,
and
explored
the
many
exhibits
including
the
pit
head
baths,
the
explosives
magazine,
fan
room,
winding
room,
blacksmiths
shop
and
more.
Make
time
to
see
the
main
mine
exhibit
with
its
museum
and
film.
The
cafe
is
also
good.
I
can
recommend
the
pasties
and
home
made
bread
and
butter
pudding.
The
site
shop
has
a
range
of
great
mementoes
and
gifts,
many
of
which
are
made
locally.
We
rounded
off
out
day
by
taking
a
walk
to
the
station
just
below
the
museum,
as
there
was
a
live
steam
gala
taking
place.
That's
another
story
though.
I
thoroughly
recommend
a
visit
to
Big
Pit.
I'll
be
returning,
as
there
is
more
than
one
route
you
can
take
on
the
underground
tour,
and
I
want
to
see
more.
The
staff
are
helpful,
friendly
and
knowledgeable.
Excellent
sums
it
up
nicely.