Cefn Coed Colliery Museum

About

Located near the village of Crynant in the Dulais Valley, the museum tells the story of coal mining at Cefn Coed Colliery, nicknamed ‘The Slaughterhouse".
Entry to the museum is free.
The museum shop takes cash only with no card facility.

Story

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum tells the story of coal mining at the Cefn Coed Colliery, once the deepest anthracite coal mine in the world. Cefn Coed was one of the most dangerous coalmines in Wales where many men lost their lives in dangerous working conditions gaining the colliery the nickname of ‘The Slaughterhouse’.

The story of the thousands of men who worked at Cefn Coed and at other pits in the anthracite coalmines of South West Wales is told through words, pictures and artefacts throughout the museum. The underground gallery, a simulated working seam, brings these harrowing conditions to life.

The museum is home to a preserved 1927 Worsley Mesnes Horizontal Duplex Cylinder Steam Winding engine, arguably the jewel in the museum’s crown. Once powered by steam when the site was a working colliery this magnificent winder is now turned over by electricity, however its majesty never fails to impress enthusiasts the world over.

Visitors can receive a guided tour led by one of our dedicated volunteers by arrangement or if you prefer there are hand held audio tours of the site, recorded by a retired miner from the Cefn Coed Colliery available from reception.

The museum is also the proud home of the last surviving gas tram from Neath and one of the only restored examples in the world. The Neath gas tram ran from 1875 until 1920, when it became a victim of modernisation and was abandoned in favour of motor buses and was sold off. This fine example was recovered from a local garden in the 1980s where it was being used as a garden shed! Visit the museum to discover its fascinating story and sit up on the top deck.

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum is also host to the Neath Historical Model Railway Club. The club’s dedication and commitment is evident from the constantly evolving layout celebrating the age of steam in the Dulais Valley.