Whitehaven Tourist Information Mining Museum Pit Disaster

Haig Mining Museum, Whitehaven

Coal mining in Whitehaven dates back to the thirteenth century when the monks from St Bees Abbey supervised the opening of coal mines at Arrowthwaite. This mining history was brought to an abrupt end in March 1986 when Haig Pit, Cumbria's last deep coal mine, finally closed. Haig Pit is now part of the Haig Mining Museum complex. The gassy nature of the mines in the Whitehaven area caused many violent explosions and subsequent deaths. Over 1200 men, women, and children have been killed in the Whitehaven pits while winning coal in workings up to four miles out beneath the Solway Firth.

You can find out more about the many disasters, plus there's a superb steam winding engine which has been worked on and restored by a group of volunteers since 1994. The steam winding engine is usually operated and demonstrated every day, but check with the museum prior to your visit that maintenance work isn't being carried out! The museum is situated high on the Whitehaven cliffs, close to the coast to coast walk, and just yards from the Cumbria Coastal Way. It's an easy and pleasant 10 minute stroll up from Whitehaven harbour. Head for the disused chimney above and beyond the Beacon Museum, and just follow the coastal path up towards the cliffs and you'll see the Haig Mining Museum just off the coastal path.

Note the brick 'beehive' features sticking out of the ground as you walk towards Haig. There's plaques on the side and one of them marks the spot where King Pit was sunk. The museum, thanks to many dedicated volunteers, is undergoing constant renovation, and a cafŽ is planned plus further winding engines are being renovated, as well as increasing amounts of mining artefacts being displayed. It's a superb mining museum, and there's always a few experts about to offer extra guidance. What's more entrance is FREE, and the museum is open 7 days a week, from 11am-5pm.

I saw a light and thought it was the rescue men who had worked round the return airway and I shouted Is that Jack, are there any bodies down there, A voice shouted Is that Bob Brannon? Thank god, there is a god in heaven. It was Birkett who shouted. With him were Hinde and Weightman. My brother, Tom Brannon, is among those trapped and lost. I had worked continuously with the rescue teams right up to this district but I am now feeling the effects. I don't want to be with the party that finds Tom, so I'm leaving it to the others to have a go. (Bob Brannon, William Pit Disaster, 15th August, 1947). Haig Colliery Mining Museum, Solway Road, Kells, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9BG, Tel: 01946 599949, Free Entry, closed Wednesdays!

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