Woodhorn Museum

Woodhorn Museum Woodhorn Museum is a museum and heritage colliery site in Ashington, Northumberland. Woodhorn brings Northumberland’s proud mining heritage to life.
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Did you know that at its peak, over 2,000 people worked underground at the site? A whopping 600,000 tonnes of coal was mined from the pit each year. Come along and visit the North East’s most complete colliery heritage site which including the most powerful winding engine in the region. Our modern museum Cutter Building showcases our impressive banner collection, Coal Town exhibition and, of cours

e, our iconic Ashington Group Collection. With so much to see and do at Woodhorn Museum it’s an experience to remember. Visit our website to find our more and to plan your visit, our Annual Pass is fantastic value at only £7 for unlimited visits plus kids go free! Woodhorn Museum is managed by Museums Northumberland, the public brand of Woodhorn Charitable Trust | Registered as a company in England and Wales under registration number 6893854 | Woodhorn Charitable Trust is registered as a charity number 1129712

🖤 The iconic ‘Big E’ returns to Northumberland this June.By popular community request, the famous sign from Ellington Co...
04/06/2026

🖤 The iconic ‘Big E’ returns to Northumberland this June.

By popular community request, the famous sign from Ellington Colliery is returning to Woodhorn Museum – its first appearance in the region for decades.

Originally created in the 1980s, the ‘Big E’ became a much-loved emblem of pride at the colliery – a reminder of the people, industry and communities that shaped south-east Northumberland.

The sign will make its debut at this year’s Miners’ Picnic on 13 June, where it will be displayed on Woodhorn’s banner ramp as part of the 'Ellington Colliery: End of an Era' collection.

We are delighted to welcome the sign as part of a five-year loan from Beamish Museum, and hope it will help reconnect former miners, their families and local communities with a powerful symbol of Ellington’s mining heritage.

🚨 Call-out for Food Vendor – Miners’ Picnic (Urgent Opportunity)We’re looking for a local food vendor (food only) to ste...
04/06/2026

🚨 Call-out for Food Vendor – Miners’ Picnic (Urgent Opportunity)

We’re looking for a local food vendor (food only) to step in at short notice for the upcoming Miners’ Picnic on 13 June.

One vendor has unfortunately had to drop out, and we’d love to fill the space as soon as possible.

Event details & requirements:

💷 Pitch fee: £100
⏰ Must be fully set up and ready to trade by 9:30am
🍴 Food vendors only (no drink-only stalls)

📄 Required documentation:
Food safety certificates
Event risk assessment
Public Liability Insurance (minimum £5 million cover)

If you’re interested or would like more information, please get in touch and we can provide further details.

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Please feel free to share this with any suitable local traders who might be available at short notice.

As part of the Miners’ Picnic on 13 June there will be a Memorial Service at 10:30am to pay tribute to the miners who de...
03/06/2026

As part of the Miners’ Picnic on 13 June there will be a Memorial Service at 10:30am to pay tribute to the miners who dedicated their lives to Northumberland’s coal mines and remember those who lost their lives in the industry.

The memorial service, led by Ministers of Ashington Churches Together, forms a central part of the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic, a tradition that has celebrated the region’s mining heritage for generations. The service provides an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance of the sacrifices made by miners and their families.

This years’ service will feature a particularly moving musical tribute, as the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir performs ‘Woodhorn Disaster’ - a powerful piece that names all 13 miners who lost their lives in the Woodhorn Colliery disaster of 1916. Written by Derek Hobbs and Mike Kirkup, the song forms part of their celebrated work ‘Fell ’em Doon’ and stands as a lasting testament to those who perished. The choir’s performance promises to be a deeply poignant moment in the service, ensuring that the names and memories of those 13 men are never forgotten.

All members of the public are welcome to attend the memorial service, which offers an important opportunity for both former mining families and the wider community to pay their respects.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES AT OUR NORTHUMBERLAND VENUESNorth East Museums are looking to recruit a Visitor Experience Lead and an...
03/06/2026

NEW OPPORTUNITIES AT OUR NORTHUMBERLAND VENUES

North East Museums are looking to recruit a Visitor Experience Lead and an Administrative Assistant to support Woodhorn Museum, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum.

The Visitor Experience Lead is the ideal opportunity for an experienced, flexible and multi-skilled manager, with a proven track record of leading a customer service team.

If you are willing to learn new skills and thrive in a busy office environment, then we'd be delighted to hear from you for the role of Administrative Assistant.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 7 June. More information about these opportunities can be found via the link in comments.

June's scone of the month is a chocolate orange XL scone. 😋Made by our incredible baker Sarah with chocolate chunks, fre...
03/06/2026

June's scone of the month is a chocolate orange XL scone. 😋

Made by our incredible baker Sarah with chocolate chunks, freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest - they're perfectly balanced between sweet and citrusy.

A delicious treat to enjoy with your tea or coffee!

May seems to have flown by and the start of June can only mean...the return of Three's a Crowd to the Winding House Cafe...
02/06/2026

May seems to have flown by and the start of June can only mean...the return of Three's a Crowd to the Winding House Cafe on Wednesday 3 June between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

Come along and grab a cuppa or a bite to eat and enjoy the live music performed by Dave and Ray. 🎵☕

02/06/2026

This week is Volunteer’s Week and to mark the occasion, we’d like to say a huge thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for all their time, care, energy and support!

In this video, Dawn - one of our Woodhorn Weeders - shares what the group means to her and what she gets out of volunteering.

The Woodhorn Weeders are a gardening and friendship group run by Age UK Northumberland. They meet every Wednesday morning at Woodhorn Museum, combining good company and a cuppa with hands-on gardening that has transformed the museum’s outdoor spaces over the past three years.

Their impact includes creating and caring for vibrant planters, developing our Wild Wood to support wildlife, delivering Wild Wednesday activities for visitors, and designing a sensory walkway with a tranquil seating area for everyone to enjoy.

If you’d like to get involved and join the fun, see the link in the comments to find out more.

** Visitor Notice**Woodhorn Museum will be closed on Wednesday 10 June for an all-staff conference.We'll be back open as...
01/06/2026

** Visitor Notice**

Woodhorn Museum will be closed on Wednesday 10 June for an all-staff conference.

We'll be back open as usual on Thursday 11 June.

Thanks for your understanding 😊

The full programme for this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic has been announced!Join us at Woodhorn Museum on Saturd...
28/05/2026

The full programme for this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic has been announced!

Join us at Woodhorn Museum on Saturday 13 June for a packed day of music, heritage and family fun celebrating Northumberland’s mining heritage.

🎺 Live music from Ellington Colliery Band, Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band, Bedlington Community Brass Band, Ashington Colliery Brass Band, Northern Monkey Brass Band, Ladies of Midnight Blue and Northern Proud Voices
✨ Get creative in Bugs & Beasties workshops making dragonfly wings, beetle hats and fern headdresses inspired by the Carboniferous era
🥁 Create your own instruments in percussion workshops with Ladies of Midnight Blue
🎭 Bring your colourful creations and take part in our Bugs & Beasties parade
📖 Discover the story of the Cramlington 8 and the 1926 General Strike with writer Ed Waugh
👀 Look out for The Northumbrian Miner sculpture by John O’Rourke
🖤 See the return of the iconic Big ‘E’ marking 20 years since the closure of Ellington Colliery
🎪 Enjoy circus skills activities throughout the afternoon

Plus brand-new heritage displays, storytelling, community groups, independent food and drink stalls and much more.

📍 Woodhorn Museum
📅 Saturday 13 June | 10am–5pm

Free entry | Parking £5

WATBus Community Transport are running a free, accessible shuttle bus service between Ashington Leisure Centre and Woodhorn Museum. The last departure will be leaving Woodhorn at 5.15pm. Thanks to WATBus for their ongoing support of the Miners' Picnic.

For the full programme and event - visit our website/visit our link in the comments.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May) sees the return of our popular Birds of Prey Display.Come and discover the fascinating world...
26/05/2026

Tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May) sees the return of our popular Birds of Prey Display.

Come and discover the fascinating world of birds of prey and see spectacular displays with the team from Ridgeside Falconry.

The popular and interactive flying displays take place at 12 noon and 2pm (weather dependent).

Ridgeside Falconry will also be on hand to answer your questions about the birds of prey alongside their static display from 11am – 3pm.

This activity is included with your Annual Pass admission.

Kids (under 18) go FREE. Adults £11 (£10 without optional donation) Concessions £10 (£9 without optional donation). Pay once and enjoy unlimited repeat visits for a whole year.

Address

Woodhorn, QEII Country Park
Ashington
NE639YF

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441912772410

Website

https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/about/social-media

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