Woodhorn Colliery

Queen Elizabeth II Country Park

Useful Information

Location:	On the A189 coast road, 9km north of Newcastle upon Tyne and 8km east of Morpeth. Location by UK Streetmap
Open:	APR to OCT Wed-Sun, Bank Holiday Mondays 10-17. NOV to MAR Wed-Sun, Bank Holiday Mondays 10-16. [2008]
Fee:	Free, parking GBP 2. [2008]
Classification:	Coal Mine
Light:	electric.
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Bibliography:	Mike Kirkup (): Blood on the Coal : A History of Woodhorn Colliery, ISBN 0952342278, available from Museum Shop Priced £2.50 Hazel Edwards (): Follow the Banner : An Illustrated Catalogue of the Northumberland Miners' Banners, ISBN 1-85754-289-4, available from Museum Shop Priced £5.95 Mike Kirkup (): Ashington Coal Company : The Five Collieries, ISBN 1 -902527-62-3, available from Museum Shop Priced £9.99
Address:	Woodhorn Colliery Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9YF, Tel: +44-1670-856-968, Fax: +44-1670-810-958. E-mail:
Last update:	$Date: 2008/10/09 18:30:38 $

History


16-MAY-1894		colliery opened with the sinking of No. 1 shaft of Woodhorn.
26-JUN-1897		sinking completed, No 1 shaft was 266 m deep.
FEB-1898		first coal drawn.
1903		first coal cutting machine installed.
13-AUG-1916		an explosion ripped through the pit killing 11 men instantly and 2 others died later in hospital.
1947		nationalisation.
1981		colliery closed.
1989		re-opened as a museum.
1993		QEII Country Park Railway Society initially set up.

Geology

Description

The displays in the old colliery buildings give a unique insight into centuries of coal mining in Northumberland and what life was like for the miners and their families. The museum contains the winding engine and mine artefacts. In addition there is a hall in which miners' banners are exhibited. Displays of authentic traditions include mat-making - 'hooked-rugs' every Thursday and Sunday and paintings by local artists. The museum has a 70 seater cafeteria and a function room. The Queen Elizabeth II Country Park also includes a lake, small adventure playground and woodland, ideal for picnics and walks. The park is also the venue for miners' picnics, colliery brass bands, vintage car rallies and family fun days.

Text by Tony Oldham (2001). With kind permission.