Aber Valley Heritage Museum
Volunteer-run free museum in Senghenydd about the 1901 and 1913 Universal Colliery disasters and the wider history of the Aber Valley.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Aber Valley Heritage Group was formed in 2008 by local volunteers who wanted to preserve the mining heritage of their small valley. The Universal Colliery in Senghenydd was the scene of two disasters: in 1901 an explosion killed 81 colliery workers, and on 14 October 1913 another killed 440 men and boys, including one rescue worker, the worst mining disaster in British history.
The group, a committee of about 15 volunteers, set up the Aber Valley Heritage Museum on an upper floor of Senghenydd Community Centre. It also created the Welsh National and Universal Mining Disaster Memorial Garden nearby, which the volunteers open and look after every day, and the group holds an annual memorial service there.
The museum is devoted mainly to the two disasters, but it also records the wider history of the valley, including Windsor Colliery, local sporting achievements, old shops and buildings, community events and the valley's part in the two World Wars. Visitors find mining objects, photographic displays, archive films and touch screens holding hundreds of images of local people and places. Volunteers give talks to visitors and school groups and will research family histories on request.
Highlights
- Displays on the 1901 and 1913 Universal Colliery disasters
- Mining objects and photographic displays about the Aber Valley
- Archive films and touch screens with hundreds of local images
- Welsh National and Universal Mining Disaster Memorial Garden nearby
- Free admission, run by volunteers
Permanent exhibition
- The Universal Colliery disasters and the history of the Aber Valley – Displays on the 1901 and 1913 colliery explosions, Windsor Colliery, local sport, shops and community life, with mining objects, photographs and archive films.
- Operated by
- Aber Valley Heritage Group
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free for everyone. Donations are welcome and help to maintain the museum and the memorial garden.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the middle floor of Senghenydd Community Centre, served by a lift, with an accessible toilet on the same floor. The front door from Gwern Avenue has two steps; for step-free access visitors can use the car park at the back of the building, which is unlocked on request, so it is best to arrange this in advance by phone or email. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the museum.
Kids & families
School groups are welcomed; the museum has no dedicated children's programme listed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Senghenydd Square (bus)
Senghenydd can be reached from Caerphilly by Stagecoach bus B (every 20 minutes) or bus E (hourly).
By car
Free parking
Free on-street parking is available in front of the community centre on Gwern Avenue, and there is a car park at the back of the building.
The Welsh National and Universal Mining Disaster Memorial Garden is a separate site on Commercial Street, Senghenydd (CF83 4GY), with step-free access and four parking spaces.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups and school visits are welcome and should be arranged in advance by email so that enough volunteers are on hand. Volunteers show archive films and give talks. |
