Going underground

If you grew up in a certain generation the threat of being sent down the pit when you misbehaved was not uncommon, while you were probably aware that actually children no longer worked in mines, you also knew they once had and that hundreds of thousands of men still did.

Living in Yorkshire we are surrounded by this ancient industry and yet in our pocket of the county we are so far removed from the old mining communities.

Mining in this country can be traced back to Roman times but with the demise of the industry many children don’t even know what it is. For that reason a trip to the National Coal Mining Museum should be on every child’s list of things to do. This is a treat that should not be missed by adults and children alike. It is set in the old Caphouse Colliery just outside Wakefield, at one point there were over 100 mines in the Wakefield area alone and Caphouse is one of the oldest.

The museum has plenty to do whatever the weather from nature trails to pit ponies and the eye opening shower blocks but the highlight of the museum has to be the underground tour. Being taken 450ft underground into a coal mine may not initially seem like a fun thing to do but trust me it is amazing. Your guide in the mine is an ex miner, who not only has a huge knowledge of mining through the ages but also delivers it with a certain level of dry Yorkshire wit. From the moment your kids are kitted out with their helmet and lamp they are in the hands of the miners and my word do they keep them under control whilst captivating and teaching them.

The museum is free, although the underground tour is £3 each, you are issued with a token that you can return for a refund at the end of the tour or keep as a memento with your money going towards keeping the museum going.

A good tip is to pre book the underground tour as there are at set times  fill up quickly.

National Coal Mining Musuem, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4 4RH

Tel; 01924 848806  www.ncm.org.uk