Fascinating Big Pit provides an opportunity to explore a real coal mine and taste what life was like for the miners working here between 1880 to 1980. At the time of research, the biggest attraction, the Real Underground Experience, where tours descend 90m into the mine and explore the tunnels and coalfaces guided by an ex-miner, was closed. Nevertheless, there's plenty going on above ground. You can visit numerous colliery buildings, including the 1939 pithead baths.
The baths are filled with displays on the industry and the evocative reminiscences of ex-miners. Lots of discarded industrial mining equipment adds to the interest.
It's sobering to experience something of the dark, dank working conditions below ground, particularly considering that children once worked here by candlelight. When the underground tour reopens, if you choose to do it you'll be decked out in a hard hat, power pack and other safety gear weighing some 5kg, and you won't be allowed to bring matches or anything electrical (including photo equipment and watches) down with you. It's cold down here, so take extra layers and wear sturdy shoes. Children must be at least 1m tall. Visitors with disabilities can arrange tours in advance.
For some extra fun, you can take the heritage Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway here from Blaenavon.
