Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

About the museum

Cefn Coed colliery was sunk by the Amalgamated Anthracite Company, which opened it in 1930 after earlier attempts at sinking the shaft had failed. Reaching the coal took four years because of a very thick layer of hard sandstone. When coal was first raised it was the deepest anthracite mine in the world, at 687 metres.

Five seams were worked, and the high-carbon anthracite was sold in sizes for grates, boilers and stoves, with Canada among the major buyers. Conditions underground were very hot and roof falls were frequent enough that the mine gained a grim nickname. The company ran the colliery until nationalisation in 1947, and it closed in 1968, when more men were employed keeping roadways open than mining coal.

The Cefn Coed Museum opened on the site in 1986, using some of the original buildings. Its displays include a large winding engine, a simulated mine shaft and underground mining gallery, mining tools and equipment, and a restored gas tram from the 1920s. The council that runs the museum has said it is closed to the public for essential maintenance work, and no reopening date has been published.

Highlights

• Steam winding engine, now electrically driven
• Simulated coal mine shaft and underground mining gallery
• Display of mining tools and equipment
• Restored 1920s Neath gas tram

Permanent exhibition

• Colliery and mining displays – Indoor and outdoor displays including the winding engine, a simulated mine shaft, an underground mining gallery and the Neath gas tram.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Admission & discounts

The museum is closed to the public for essential maintenance work and no reopening date has been published.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: not available
• 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

Before the closure the museum had a level path to the door. It spans two floors with no wheelchair access to the upper floor, and there were no specific disabled parking bays.

Kids & families

The museum is closed to the public for essential maintenance work and no reopening date has been published.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The gift shop sells miners’ lamps and books on the coal industry.

Events & venue rental

The museum is closed to the public for essential maintenance work and no reopening date has been published.