With three permanent galleries and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coalmines through original artefacts and artwork from prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

Using powerful imagery, the downstairs galleries will help visitors to understand what it felt like to work in the claustrophobic coalmines and shed light on why some miners felt it necessary to paint this dark and clamorous world.

The upstairs galleries celebrate the diversity and strength of mining communities, through the stark contrast of riotous colour at Gala Day and the rich lives led by miners in their time above ground.

The Mining Art Gallery shares the experience of life underground and life in the community through eyes of the people who lived it. The Gemini Collection, now in its permanent home, is an artistic record of an industry and a memorial to a former way of life.

The work displayed showcases the skill and creativity of these labourers and celebrates the achievements of the mining artists as a vital aspect of coalfield heritage.

Opening times

Open daily from 10am to 4pm
Last entry at 3.30pm

Ticket prices

Adult: £4
Concessions: £3 (over 60s, full-time students, unwaged)
Under 16s: Free
Carers: Free*
Groups: Buy 10 and get the 11th ticket free
Arts Pass/ Historic Houses members: Free

*If a visitor requires another person, as their companion or carer to enable them to access the museum, then this person is admitted free of charge.