Western Lake District
Haig Colliery Mining Museum — Present
Haig Colliery Mining Museum is situated within the site of Haig Pit, on the cliffs high above Whitehaven with the magnificent views of the Scottish Hills and the Isle of Man.
View one of the two remaining Bever Dorling and Co Ltd Winding Engines, one of which is restored to full working order and is operated daily.
Learn about the numerous disasters in the area, which took the lives of over 1200 men, women and some children, some as young as six years of age.
Spot the cage and the shaft top and marvel at the earth’s natural minerals with our tactile display of coal, iron ore and lead. Many aspects of mining life are covered at Haig, from sports and recreation to the tools and machines used by men to extract the coal. Plans, certificates and photographs are also on display.
See the living conditions of local people and the social history told using lively displays and tales from the guides. Find out about the notorious New Houses, miners’ dwellings built in 1788 and still occupied up until the 1940’s.
The museum has something for all ages! It is suitable for educational, group and corporate visits.
Outreach talks, oral history project, guided outdoor mining walks, all available by booking. |