Put on your hard hat and battery lamp, step into the 'cage' and descend 140m underground; follow your ex-miner Guide through the chilly, dark tunnels to find out how coal was mined and moved to the surface by men, women, children, ponies and machinery.

Having two small(ish) children it is always a challenge finding something different for them to do. So, there we were, on a not so sunny day, thinking of something to do when we passed the signs for the car park for the National Mining Museum. In we went, nervous of the thoughts of going underground, I was anyway, the kids were forever asking "Is it time for our tour yet?" Our time came and we waited patiently whilst we were handed our battery packs and mining helmets. The battery packs were a little heavy for the younger ones but are easy enough to carry for adults, plus if you carry the little ones' battery packs too it stops them from getting too far away from you.

We descended down the shaft in the cage and was rather pleasantly surprised to find it was not as claustrophopbic as I thought it was going to be. The walk round with the ex-miner was interesting and the hour seemed to fly by. He told tales of mining feats and miners' stories of what life was like through the ages of mining. The tour and talk are tailored to the group. If it is more male orientated it is more on the machinery aspect, if more children then adults, the talks and tour are more lighthearted and not as indepth so not to make it boring for children. Apparently the way you go round often changes too so all the more reason to go back!

The cafe/restaurant is clean, tidy and reasonably priced. There is an adventure playground outside and alao a miniature railway. The walk down to the stables to see the pit ponies is a little steep but I believe there are steps further round.

There are many different places to explore around the museum even without a trip underground and it is easy to pass on an hour whilst waiting for the time to come for your tour.

The gift shop is well stocked and I honestly didn't know there were so many uses for coal!!

All in all it was a very good afternoon and the kids keep asking when we can go again.

But best of all, everything is free! It certainly gets a big thumbs up from our family.

- Sue Simpson April 07

We visited the mining museum in Yorkshire on sunday and had a great time, especially the descent to the mine and the interesting things down there.

- Dave Johnson / July 07

http://www.ncm.org.uk/