Press Releases

Big Pit scoops top Tourism award

Big Pit: National Coal Museum has beaten off stiff competition to win the prestigious ‘Sense of Place’ award in the National Tourism Awards for Wales.

The award, which celebrates the business which gives visitors a real sense of the local area and Welshness, was presented to Big Pit for providing the visitor with an experience that is both memorable and steeped in sense of place.

Peter Walker, Keeper & Mine Manager said: “This award is a testimony to the hard work done by all the staff at Big Pit on a day to day basis to ensure that visitors get a real sense of what life was like in Welsh coal communities.

“ ‘Sense of place’ has been embedded into Big Pit’s outlook since it opened in 1983.  The emphasis on making all visitors feel that they have had a real underground experience, and that they have met and spoken to a real miner has always been central to our operation.  In deed, every member of staff has a direct link to the industry in some way.  We have received many accolades in recent years for the unique experience we provide, but this award is special as it shows that the industry in Wales recognises the importance of coal and its story to current and future generations.”