Big Pit National Coal Museum
Pwll Mawr
A real coal mine within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, where former miners lead you down in a cage to underground tunnels 90 metres deep.
Pwll Mawr operated from 1880 to 1980 and is now the free National Coal Museum, forming the core of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. Its main highlight is an underground tour of about one hour, led by retired miners. Wearing a helmet and carrying a lamp, you descend 90 metres to see the coal face and the pit ponies' stables. On the surface there is a winding house, pithead baths and displays about mining community life. Entry is free, and opening hours are roughly 9:30–17:00. Underground tour places are first come, first served, and children under 12 must be at least one metre tall. It's about 40 km from Cardiff, around 50 minutes' drive.
Opening hours
About 09:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Caerphilly Castle
- Roath Park
- Castell Coch
- National Museum Cardiff
- Bute Park
- Cardiff City Hall & Civic Centre
- Llandaff Cathedral
- Cardiff Castle