Come and experience the harsh, damp, dark conditions that colliers went through in the very authentic simulated underground gallery where the fascinating story of coal mining is represented from Victorian to more modern times. Try pulling our sled and experience how hard it was for Victorian children who worked down the mines.

Listen to the sounds of miners working the coal face in the pillar and stall exhibit, and read about accidental roof falls gave Cefn Coed the nickname of  "the slaughter-house".

Lying in the shadow of the stack outside the reception area this engine was manufactured in 1880 by Andrew Barclay and Co Ltd and the winding drum is of a very unusual design and very rare.

It is interesting to note that Cefn Coed and Morlais Collieries were the last two pits in South Wales to operate on steam power.

‘Keeping your boilers stoked meant keeping your men alive in the colliery because everything depended on steam’

Come and marvel at the largest collection of steam boilers in the U.K. These six ‘Lancashire’ boilers were built, then used in the open air by 3 stokers who would get through 10 tons of coal every day until the building was erected in the 1930’s to protect them. They worked day and night through summer and winter, even Christmas day to make sure that enough steam was produced so the colliery could keep operating.

As well the impressive compressor a series of temporary exhibitions are shown such as ‘The History Of The Dulais Valley’.

Come and see the largest running winding engine in Wales. Watch the pistons moving as they rotate the drum. Hear the engine working and listen to the noises it makes.

Manufactured by Worsley Mesnes Ltd of Wigan it was installed in 1927 to provide power to raise and lower the men, equipment and coal in the cages of the downcast shaft. Originally run by steam the engine is now electrically driven.

The winding man controlled the engine from his cabin and used a dial to gage the position of the cage and rate of descent. He also used chalk marks on the drum to line up the cage.  You can sit in his cabin and pull the bell to give shaft signals.

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You can find out how coal was made, say hello to our pit pony, see many artefacts used at the colliery and read about the fascinating history of Cefn Coed.

There is also an activity table for children with colouring sheets and crosswords plus a dressing up box so they can see what it was like to dress as a miner or his wife.