Press Releases
An even bigger chance to visit Big Pit
Date:
2005-12-06Big Pit: National Coal Museum — winner of this year's Gulbenkian Prize for Best UK Museum - will be open through the winter for the first time in its 23-year history as a museum and tourist attraction.
Part of the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales family of museums, Big Pit, the colliery-turned museum in Blaenafon, has enjoyed another record breaking year, and Keeper and Mine Manager Peter Walker is keen for visitors to experience the maintenance work behind the scenes. He says:
’Previously, we closed for approximately ten weeks through the winter to undertake underground and surface maintenance, but this year visitors will see this maintenance in progress, as we’re only closing for 4 days over the festive season.
’Although the underground tour will not be available during January, the public will be able to take a guided tour behind-the-scenes to see the skilled maintenance staff undertaking the work that is essential to keep Big Pit’s underground tours running throughout the rest of the year.’
Alun Pugh, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport added:
’Big Pit is a major tourist attraction in this area so I'm pleased that it will be open through the winter so that even more people will be able to learn about Wales's proud industrial heritage.’
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is the new name for the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, which operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff; St Fagans National History Museum; National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon; Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon; National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre; National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
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Entry to all the museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Notes for Editors
For further information, please contact
Kathryn Stowers, Marketing Officer: Big Pit.
Tel: (01495) 790311 / 07970 017210 kathryn.stowers@museumwales.ac.uk
Big Pit is now open throughout December and January, except December 24, 25, 26 and January 1.
Opening times until the end of November: 9.30 am–5 pm.
Underground tours run frequently 10 am–3.30 pm.
From December 1: 9.30 am–4.30 pm.
Underground tours run frequently 10 am–3 pm.
Underground closed during January for essential maintenance.