National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield

Get kitted out with your miner's helmet and battery lamp then step into the cage and descend 140m underground to discover the amazing story of mining through the ages. Led by ex-miners, these hugely popular tours will give you a vivid insight into the dangers and hardships faced by the men, women and children who toiled underground.

Above ground, you can explore the original colliery buildings including the steam winder, medical centre and pithead baths, then dig deeper into the history of coal-mining in the 1842 and Coal Interface Galleries.

Get to the heart of mining communities, homes and family life in Mining Lives and, on selected days, listen to our living history characters telling their lively stories and fascinating facts. At Hope Pit, the fully-restored colliery buildings are home to lots of hands-on interactive models and touch-screen displays to help you get to grips with the science of mining.

If the sun is shining, take a walk around the ½ mile long Nature Trail, where the trees and flowers are ‘springing' into life and don't miss a visit to the Stables - meet the ponies - Finn, Patch, Eric and Ernie and find out about the vital role they've played in mining through the years.

Opening times:
10am - 5pm daily (closed 24-26 December and 1 January)

Admission and parking is free.

Here to get you there www.wymetro.com

Click images to enlarge