Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum

About the museum

Bilsthorpe Colliery was sunk from 1925, produced its first coal in 1927 and closed in 1997. After the pit closed, local people formed the Bilsthorpe Heritage Society to keep its story alive. Founding members rescued items the mining company was throwing away, and former miners have gone on donating objects ever since.

In 2011 the society was offered the lease of the old squash courts behind the village hall, and these became the museum. It gained charitable status and opened to the public in July 2014. The museum is staffed by volunteers, many of them former miners, who guide visitors through the displays.

The displays follow the development of a deep coal mine and the changing equipment used underground, and show household items from Bilsthorpe and nearby mining communities. A mine roadway, a "Village End" display and a pony locomotive from Thoresby Pit give a sense of working life. A research collection holds maps, photographs, documents and back issues of a local newspaper going back to 1886. Outside, the Miners' Memorial Garden remembers miners who lost their lives.

Highlights

• Models and equipment from a deep coal mine
• Mine roadway display and a pony locomotive from Thoresby Pit
• Household items from the mining community
• Research collection with maps, photographs and a local newspaper archive
• Miners' Memorial Garden

Permanent exhibition

• Bilsthorpe Colliery and the mining village – Displays on the development of a deep mine, underground equipment, household items from the mining community, a mine roadway and a pony locomotive, plus a research collection of maps, photographs and newspapers.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Bilsthorpe Heritage Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry and talks are free; donations are welcome. Shop sales are cash only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No access information is published. Contact the museum before visiting if you need step-free access.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Children can dress up as a miner for a photograph and meet the museum mascot, Fred Jnr. The museum has held family days such as Mining and Music.

Getting there & parking

The museum is signposted from the A614, opposite Limes Cafe, in the village of Bilsthorpe. No parking information is published.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small shop with gift items. Volunteers offer a free tea or coffee to visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit