Heritage and Culture

There are a number of sites and attractions throughout the South Wales Region which commemorate and celibrate the culture and heritage of the mining industry.
 
BIG PIT - Big Pit is part of the National Museum of Wales. It is a former coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums which provides and entertaining and educational day out for all ages. Visitors to Big Pit can enjoy the World-famous tour which goes 300 feet underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face. Big Pit is a living, breathing reminder of the coal industry in Wales and the people and society it created . Admission is free. http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/
 
CEFN COED COLLIERY MINING MUSEUM - Cefn Coed Colliery Museum set in the Dulais Valley allows visitors to experience the harsh, damp and dark conditions in which the colliers toiled in order to produce "black gold". The authentic underground gallery reveals various aspects of mining, such as the stalls, pit props, tramways and the original equipment used underground. The museum also houses a unique gas tram, which ran in Neath until 1920. Admission is free. Cefn Coed Colliery Museum Crynant, Neath SA10 8SN Phone: +44 (0)1639 750556
 
THE RHONNDA HERITAGE PARK - The Rhondda Heritage Park is on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod. is one of the top heritage and cultural visitor attractions in South Wales and provides a fun and interesting day out for individuals, groups, school children and students. The Black Gold Tour Features a fully guided tour with ex-miner guides and involves multimedia presentations, a tour of the pit head buildings and a trip 'underground' to experience the life of a coal miner. Rhondda Heritage Park is also home to the Energy Zone Childrens Play Area. There is an admission charge for the Underground Experience & Energy Zone. http://www.rhonddaheritagepark.com/
 
There are a number of books that have been written focusing on the mining industry, one launched recently is David Douglas' 'Ghost Dancers'. The book, taken from the authors personal experiences, discusses the 84-85 miners strike and its aftermath. 'Ghost Dancers' can be found in Waterstones book stores.