Woodhorn Museum

A world away from a traditional mining museum, Woodhorn is well-known for its fun events programme, including family picnic days, car shows, cos-play extravaganza and ‘Invasion’ – the museum even featured on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

The museum is proud to house the Ashington Group Collection of artworks, commonly known as the ‘Pitmen Painters’. This iconic display showcases what daily life was really like for miners in and around Ashington from the 1930s. Woodhorn brings to life Northumberland’s proud mining heritage, alongside an ever-changing contemporary arts and event programme making it a fun and cultural day out.

Visit the North East’s last remaining coal mine and explore the winding houses including the most powerful winding engine in the region and the ventilation fan which took a direct hit, but survived the German bombing of 1941. The modern Cutter Building showcases an impressive banner collection, Coal Town exhibition and of course the iconic Ashington Group Collection.

Take a look at the wall of the Cutter Building which features a moving sculpture made up of 98 birds, fashioned from moulded miners’ gloves, each of which sadly represent a life lost at Woodhorn Colliery throughout its history.

Overlooking the historic pit yard and opposite the exciting children’s play area inspired by Woodhorn’s industrial heritage, visit the Winding House café which offers visitors a range of light refreshments. There is an outside seating area too which is great if you want to relax whilst keeping an eye on the kids or if you have the family dog with you.

With so much to see and do at Woodhorn Museum, it’s a hands-on experience to remember.

Admission is by 12 month membership tickets and children aged 16 years and under are have free entry (all Northumberland museums). Tickets are £7 per adult. Parking is free.