National Coal Mining Museum (for England)

Had a day out here on Monday, and I was pleasantly surprised. We started the day by going on the Underground Tour, which was a lot less scary than I thought it would be, and it is quite fun to wear a hard hat and carry a light ;-) Our guide was a former miner, and a wonderful speaker and tour guide  - I was very impressed. The tour takes about an hour or so, but the walking isn't too strenuous and I never really felt worried at all being down there. I was so proud of myself I nearly bought the certificate to say I really did go underground!

For me, there is not enough of the early history of mining here, which is what I do find more interesting, but there were plenty of big machines, which made himself happy ;-) It did inspire me to look some things up when I got home though, which was good.

It is clear that the museum could do with more funding though, as being a national museum it has to be free, and some of the exhibits were a little the worse for wear :-( Some were excellent though - I really recommend the winding house and pumping station at the Hope Pit end of the site.