Barnsley Main Heritage Site
Oaks Lane, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1HS
Barnsley Main Colliery stood on this site until its closure in 1993. It was then abandoned and was a derelict industrial rubbish site.....until 2016 when a group of volunteers decided that as the last standing colliery building in Barnsley, it had to be preserved and made accessible to all. This idea was given impetus that year by being the 150th Anniversary of the worst coal mining disaster in English history at the neighbouring Oaks Colliery and a memorial service was held on the 12th of December, the date of that tragedy. Since then, volunteer work has been continuous in improving the site environmentally and in appearance, ensuring that it is safe for all, and in opening and stocking a pop-up museum. Additionally, the site is the home to work by the Phyona team from Brunel University - involving the amazing concept of phyto-mining, whereby pollutants are absorbed from the ground by plants, and then harvested for re-use. Come and see our museum, the amazing greenery, relive the mining era with guided tours from a former worker, and discuss and handle mining artefacts and history with a local coal mining historian.
Oaks Lane, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1HS
There are no toilets on site. Sturdy footwear is recommended - this is a former industrial site so ground is uneven in places.
Ground is uneven - be careful to avoid tripping.