Business Details
38 Years
experience
Explore Coal Mining History in Wakefield
Established in 1988, our museum preserves and shares the rich heritage of coal mining in England. Located at the historic Caphouse Colliery, we offer immersive experiences including underground tours led by former miners, interactive exhibitions, and educational programs for all ages. Our charitable mission focuses on advancing public education about mining history through authentic storytelling and community engagement.With free admission and support from visitor donations, we maintain a 48-acre site featuring preserved machinery, woodland trails, and the Miners Memorial Garden. Our team combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to sustainability and accessibility, ensuring the legacy of coal mining remains relevant for future generations.
Services
Underground Tours
Time Tunnel Experience
Educational Workshops
Adventure Playground
Miners Memorial Garden
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer underground tours led by former miners with firsthand experience
- Our 48-acre site features authentic mining machinery and preserved colliery buildings
- We provide free admission supported by the Science Museum Group and Heritage Lottery Fund
- Our educational programs align with national curriculum requirements for schools
- We maintain the Miners Memorial Garden commemorating mining communities' legacy
What people say
Passionate and knowledgeable staff
Learned so much about mining history
Great family day out
Authentic underground experience
Beautiful memorial garden
Services
Underground Tours
Experience 140 meters underground in working mine shafts dating back to 1789. Led by former miners, these tours showcase 180 years of mining history through authentic demonstrations and preserved machinery. Ideal for visitors seeking immersive educational experiences about coal mining's industrial and social impact.
Educational Workshops
Curriculum-linked sessions for primary and secondary students. Activities include hands-on object handling, sensory experiences, and interactive demonstrations about mining heritage. Designed to meet educational standards while providing engaging, accessible learning opportunities for diverse student needs.
Time Tunnel Experience
A multimedia exhibit tracing mining history from the 18th century to modern times. Combines archival footage, interactive displays, and immersive audio-visual effects to demonstrate technological advancements and community evolution. Suitable for all ages seeking accessible historical narratives.
Adventure Playground
Outdoor play space featuring mining-themed equipment and natural play areas. Designed for children to explore while parents relax nearby. Complements educational visits with recreational facilities set within the museum's 48-acre grounds featuring woodland trails and wildlife habitats.
Miners Memorial Garden
Dedicated garden honouring mining communities and their legacy. Features landscaped areas with water treatment systems demonstrating environmental remediation. Provides reflective space for visitors while showcasing ecological restoration processes connected to mining history and industrial heritage.
Questions
Is entry to the museum free?
Yes, general admission is free. Underground tours have a suggested donation of £7.50 per person.
Are underground tours available during industrial action?
Underground tours may be suspended during industrial action periods. Check our website for current status updates.
Do you offer educational programs for schools?
Yes, we provide curriculum-linked workshops and resources for primary, secondary, and higher education groups.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Surface areas are accessible. Underground tours require transferring to hand-propelled wheelchairs with prior arrangements.
Can visitors explore independently without guided tours?
Yes, surface exhibits, galleries, and gardens are accessible without booking. Underground access requires guided tours.
Are there dining facilities on site?
Our café serves hot and cold food daily. Picnics are permitted in designated outdoor areas.
Reviews (7)
Christina Bean
Jan 21, 2022
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An amazing day was had down the mines. Our wonderful guide Taz was so enthusiastic, funny and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend the guided tour into the mines. For ages 5+. Now have a great respect for miners and what working life was for them.
Scott Taylor
Jan 06, 2022
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Amazing visit honestly cant fault it. Great to see the history being kept alive and the underground tour was fantastic. The tour guide (TC) was brilliant and great with the kids also. All the staff were friendly and everything onsite was great. The gift shop was reasonably priced too.
Rob Fraser
Dec 29, 2021
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Great Christmas visit to the museum. Very friendly staff and an excellent Father Christmas down the mine! Great story telling and sing along and we got to make our own stockings. The kids had a great time and well worth a visit!
Paul Cook
Nov 25, 2021
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Excellent museum. Plenty of varied indoor displays of artifacts,or former actual workings.There is is a large site with many outdoor exhibits,often previously active pit machinery and support equipment,mostly carefully restored.There is the underground tour for the real feel for how life underground as a miner would have been. There is also a nature walk,pit ponies and a great cafe. A really fantastic place for all and especially children. Best wishes from Paul.
Rob Newton
Nov 25, 2021
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A wonderful place for a day out. A guided tour around the old workings deep underground with very knowledgeable and light hearted ex-miner guides to tell you about how it used to be. And lots to see and do above ground too:- Adventure playground for kids.
Pit ponies in their stables. Beautiful nature walks
A lovely cafe. And lots more besides!
Pit ponies in their stables. Beautiful nature walks
A lovely cafe. And lots more besides!
Andrew Bulmer
Oct 25, 2021
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What a fantastic place to visit. I'm a single dad & took the kids for half a day and needed a full day to get around it all. It's all free what an excellent experience.
Paid for the underground tour and the tour guide nicknamed big bird took us around. The kids loved him and his rendition of we will rock you as we were going Down the lift shaft. To be honest all the staff was fantastic from the reception to the cafe staff. Well done. Will definitely visit again.
Paid for the underground tour and the tour guide nicknamed big bird took us around. The kids loved him and his rendition of we will rock you as we were going Down the lift shaft. To be honest all the staff was fantastic from the reception to the cafe staff. Well done. Will definitely visit again.
Meg Towler
Oct 24, 2021
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Not visited since before Covid, we only live around the corner so been meaning to come back for a while. Wow this museum is even better than it was a few years ago and it was good then!! The staff are so incredibly friendly, its great for all ages, theirs plenty of parking. Its by far the best museum in all of Yorkshire - amazing day out.
