Places of Interest

Cefn Coed Colliery Museum 

Crynant, Neath SA10 8SN

Tel: 01639 750556

Cefn Coed Colliery museum is situated in the heart of the picturesque Dulais Valley and tells the story of colliery life from Victorian times to the 1950s and how important the coal industry was to the local community. This unique museum is housed in the colliery's existing building, which closed in 1968, and is one out of four collieries in Wales with headframes still in existence.

Experience the harsh, damp and dark conditions that the colliers went through in the very authentic simulated underground gallery, which is equipped with various aspects of mining, such as the stalls, pit props, tramways and other equipment used underground. Or visit one of the many highlights of the museum, such as the distinctive boiler house with its suite of six Lancashire steam boilers or see the magnificent 1927 Worsley Mesne Steam winding engine which is now electrically driven.

As well as exhibiting many fascinating artefacts from the mining industry such as tools and equipment, the museum also houses a restored and unique gas tram, which ran in Neath until 1920 and the model of which can be seen in Neath Museum.

The gift shop sells a wide selection of coal figures, Welsh souvenirs and a vast selection of books based on the coal industry, as well as some of the best genuine and reproduction mining lamps in South Wales.

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