National Coal Mining Museum for England
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Wakefield
What it’s like
Free entry to a 42 acre former colliery, with the real draw being a guided trip 140 metres underground.
The site itself doesn't charge you to get in, which is unusual for a day out this big, but the underground tour is the thing everyone actually comes for. You go down 140 metres with a guide, and it runs about an hour and 20 minutes, so it's not a quick dip in and out. There's a "miner's check" system instead of a ticket price as such: they ask for a £7.50 suggested donation, give you a traditional check, and you can either donate it at the end or hand it back for your money. Cameras and anything battery-operated aren't allowed underground, so leave the phone photography for above ground.
Above ground there's a lot to fill a morning on its own. The Time Tunnel is a shorter, 40 minute digital walk through mining history, good if the underground slots are full or your kids are too little for the real thing (under 5s aren't taken underground but can do this and Santa Underground). There's an adventure playground, nature trails through the woodland, and ponies at the Pony Discovery Centre. In summer there's a proper sand pit at Hope Pit and a Paddy Train running on select dates, though the Beach and Snap Tin outlet mostly only open up in the school summer holidays.
Booking is a bit of a faff if you're going at a busy time. Weekends and school holidays only have half the tour slots pre-bookable, so the rest go to whoever turns up early, and they genuinely mean early during holidays. Term-time weekdays are easier, with 11am and 2pm slots bookable and other walk-up spots usually available. Whatever you've booked online, you still have to queue at reception for your check, which catches some people out.
Parking's free most of the year, though they do charge during summer holidays and special events. The café does proper hot and cold food including a kids' Snap Tin meal, but you can't eat in the galleries, Time Tunnel or on the underground tour itself, so plan your snacks around that. Wheelchair access underground needs a call ahead, since electric wheelchairs aren't allowed down there and you'd transfer to a hand-propelled one, and some of the original buildings above ground aren't easy to get around either given they're keeping them authentic rather than retrofitted.
What’s on here
- WED7
Feel Good Fridays
120 more dates
- WED7
Wacky Wednesdays (Under 5s)
A under-5s session at the National Coal Mining Museum, with dates including 7 October and two further dates.
- SAT10
Captured History: Photography Walk
A photography walk for adults at the National Coal Mining Museum, with two dates in October 2026.
- SUN11
Adult Art Workshops
Adult art workshops at the National Coal Mining Museum, running across several dates from 11 October.
- THU15
Heritage Walk
A heritage walk around the National Coal Mining Museum, listed under the museum's For Adults events.
- WED21
Remember the Coal
Free
- FRI23
Villagers: Sculpting the Community
Free · 93 more dates
- SAT24
October Half Term
Free · 8 more dates
- SAT24
Why's Our Water Orange?
Free
- WED28
Pokémon Party
A Pokémon-themed event at the National Coal Mining Museum on 28 October.
- WED4
Home Education Workshops (7-12 yrs)
Workshops for home educated children aged 7-12, running on dates through the autumn and winter at the National Coal Mining Museum.
- THU5
The People Who Made Caphouse Tour
Free
- WED11
Sculpting Stories, Places and People (Teacher CPD session)
A teacher CPD session at the National Coal Mining Museum on 11 November 2026.
- SAT14
Stained Glass Workshop with Ruth Kersley
An adult craft workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum led by Ruth Kersley, focused on stained glass.
- SAT21
Christmas at Caphouse
Free · 33 more dates
- SAT21
Festive Afternoon Tea
A festive afternoon tea at the National Coal Mining Museum, running on selected dates this Christmas season.
- SAT21
Light Up Festival
A one-day Light Up Festival at the National Coal Mining Museum for England on 21 November.
- SAT5
Christmas Wreath Workshop
An adult Christmas wreath making workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.
- SAT5
Family Festive Floral Workshop
A festive floral workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum, listed as a family event on 5 December.
- SUN6
The Muppets Christmas Carol: Film Screening
A festive film screening of The Muppets Christmas Carol at the National Coal Mining Museum.
- SUN13
Calderdale Big Band Concert
A live performance from Calderdale Big Band at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.
- SAT19
Pinocchio - A Christmas Pantomime
A Christmas pantomime of Pinocchio at the National Coal Mining Museum this December.
- MON21
Christmas Bath Bomb Making Workshop
A festive craft workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum where kids make their own Christmas bath bombs.
Caphouse Tabletop Gaming Day (with Powder Monkey Gaming)
Free
Home Education Workshops (12-16 yrs)
from £10
Jason and the Coal Mining Adventure
Free
People Like Me: Recovery & unity through sport and creativity
Free
Terrier Meet Up
Free
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- All ages above ground; under 5s can't go underground but can do the Time Tunnel
- Booking
- Underground tours: pre-booking recommended weekends/school holidays (half pre-bookable)
- Parking
- Free parking on site including disabled spaces and parent/child spaces
- Food
- Café serves hot and cold food and drinks including Snap Tins children's meals (£5.95), seasonal menu with breakfast and lunch
- Picnics
- Allowed in outdoor areas: Pit Yard, nature trail woodland, Hope Pit near The Beach
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible toilets in three locations
- Dogs
- Guide and assistance dogs welcome
- Getting there by bus or train
- Arriva 232 bus stops at Reindeer pub (few minutes walk)
- You still have to queue at reception for your check even if you booked the underground tour online
- Battery-operated items including phones and cameras aren't allowed on the underground tour
- The sand pit at Hope Pit and the Beach outlet mostly only run in the summer holidays
- Parking is free apart from summer holidays and special events when charges apply
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Getting in is free. The underground tour asks for a £7.50 suggested donation via the miner's check system, which you can keep or hand back afterwards.
Do we need to book the underground tour?
Weekends and school holidays only half the slots are pre-bookable, so arrive early for the rest. Term-time weekdays you can book 11am or 2pm, with other walk-up spots usually going.
How long does the tour take?
About an hour and 20 minutes underground. The Time Tunnel above ground is shorter, around 40 minutes.
Is there an age limit for going underground?
Under 5s aren't taken on the underground tour but can do Santa Underground and the Time Tunnel. Anyone under 14 needs an adult with them.
Can I take photos underground?
No cameras or battery-operated items are allowed on the underground tour. Professional photographers can be accommodated out of hours by arrangement.
Is there parking?
Parking's free on site most of the year, with disabled and parent-and-child spaces. They do charge during summer holidays and special events.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Electric wheelchairs aren't allowed underground, but you can transfer to a hand-propelled one after signing a disclaimer. Some of the original above-ground buildings are harder to access, and it's worth calling ahead on 01924 848806 to sort the details.
What's there for food?
The café does hot and cold food including a children's Snap Tin meal, plus a seasonal menu and afternoon tea Thursday to Sunday. You can't eat in the galleries, Time Tunnel or on the underground tour itself.
What days is it open?
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. It's closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Can we bring a picnic?
Picnics are allowed in the outdoor areas, including the Pit Yard, the woodland nature trail and Hope Pit near The Beach.
Are dogs allowed?
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, with a water bowl near the café. Dogs aren't allowed on the underground tour.
Is there anything for toddlers who can't go underground?
Under 5s can still do the Time Tunnel, and there's the adventure playground, nature trails and the ponies at the Pony Discovery Centre above ground.
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