National Coal Mining Museum for England

Coal was the major energy source for Britain's industrial development, based on the English, Welsh and Scottish coalfields. Many of these coalfields have been exploited for a considerable period of time, and there is some evidence for Roman use of coal. Like many European countries, coal mining is now in decline. There are currently only eight deep mines that remain open within the English coalfields.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 19/04/2005

The National Coal Mining Museum for England tells the story of coal mining industry and coal mining communities in England. Through the underground visit into authentic mine workings, and from the galleries and historic colliery buildings, it is possible to see how coal mining developed from the earliest times to the present day.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 08/04/2005

Strikes and conflict have been part of coal mining in Britain for nearly two hundred years. They were often the only way that miners and their families could make their voices heard. Strikes were often based on grievances which recurred time and time again, and frequently saw colliery workers fighting the same battles for better pay, working and living conditions and, more recently, to keep their jobs.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 05/04/2005

The kitchen was at the heart of a mining family's home during this period. Very often all the meals were prepared, cooked and eaten in this one room. This was also the warmest room in the house as the fireplace would have been in this room and as miners received coal as part of their payment from the pit, the family never went cold.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 17/03/2005

Pit ponies worked underground in Britain from the eighteenth century until the end of the twentieth. Ponies pulled the tubs full of coal, and carried working materials to the coal face. They had a hard working life, but were protected by special laws, particularly after 1911.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 15/03/2005

In the early nineteenth century whole families, and often very young children, worked long hours underground. Women, and children under ten years old, were banned from underground work after 1842.

Original language: EN | IT - Publishing: 06/03/2005