South Wales Miners Museum

South Wales Miners Museum

This award-winning museum details the harsh life of a South Wales miner. See recreations of underground mines and a miner's cottage, plus mining gear, and historic photos.

The museum was the first in Wales focussed on the life of miners and the industrial heritage of the mining industry. It originally opened in 1976 in a set of porta cabins, but has since been re-launched with a state of the art visitor centre.

The museum focusses on the social history of mining in the Afan Valley, and mining in general. It is operated by a team of volunteers, who can offer guided tours focused on a visitor's particular interests.

Go Underground

A special section of the museum is a recreation of an underground mining tunnel. Visitors can see models of small children crawling through the cramped tunnels the mine face. Above ground exhibits include an engine house, a lamp room filled with historic Davy lamps, and a recreation of a stable scene, with a pit pony and trailer.

See historical pieces of machinery including a coal dram and a haulage engine. The museum is an excellent resource to learn about the lives of mining families and the difficult conditions they faced on a daily basis.

The museum is located within the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre. Use the postcode SA13 3HG for satnavs and follow signs for Afan Forest Park.