Haig Colliery Mining Museum
Kells
Whitehaven
Cumbria
CA28 9BG
Phone: 01946 599949
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit website
Coal mining in Whitehaven dates back to the thirteenth century when the monks from St Bees Abbey supervised the opening of coal mines at Arrowthwaite. This long history ended abruptly in March 1986 when Haig Pit, Cumbria's last deep coal mine, finally closed.
During this time, the gassy nature of the mines had caused many violent explosions. Over 1200 men, women, and children have been killed in the Whitehaven pits while winning coal in workings up to four miles out beneath the Solway Firth.
The winding engine house has been undergoing restoration since early 1994 by a group of local volunteers. The work on phase one of the project has been made possible by grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, the Science Museum's PRISM fund, Cumbria County Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation, and the Manifold Trust.
Further grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cumbria Waste Management, and the Coalfield Regeneration Trust were successful, allowing the recent completion of phase 1B. Design and costing is now complete for phase two, and applications for funding will begin shortly.
Revenue grants from the Millennium Festival Awards for All, Cumbria County Council Community Regeneration Fund, the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, Single Regeneration Budget, and the Lyndhurst Settlement have allowed the group to employ a Manager, Heritage Officer, Administrator, and three Museum Guides, to open the museum seven days a week.
Please check the Visitor Information page or phone the museum for opening times and details on days when the steam winding engine will be operating.
