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

Our Museum Marras have been working on something lovely, and it launches this weekend, just in time for the Miners' Picn...
09/06/2026

Our Museum Marras have been working on something lovely, and it launches this weekend, just in time for the Miners' Picnic!

'A Community of Coal: Six Canny Tales from the Woodhorn Collection' is a brand- new object trail created by the Marras, a group of dedicated Woodhorn volunteers who work closely with the museum's collections.

For the project, each Marras member chose an object and explored it in their own way, using personal interpretation and creative writing to uncover new stories and meanings. The trail also features beautiful illustrations by Lizzie Lovejoy, created in response to the objects and stories.

From a humble horseshoe to a handwritten cake recipe, the trail highlights six objects from the collection and offers fresh perspectives on everyday life in North East mining communities.

Pick up the trail and follow the Marras' stories across the museum. As you make your way around the trail, you can also listen to recordings of each story read by the Marras themselves. 👂

Images: Credit Lizzie Lovejoy, © Woodhorn Museum

Thank you to everyone who voted for a theme for our mobility scooters and wheelchairs. The winning theme is... Pit Ponie...
09/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who voted for a theme for our mobility scooters and wheelchairs. The winning theme is... Pit Ponies! 🐴

We've put together a shortlist of names from ponies that worked at Woodhorn and other Ashington Coal Company collieries:

• King – one of the last ponies at Woodhorn, recognised by a distinctive white spot on his head.
• Smokey – a grey pony and one of Woodhorn's last working pit ponies.
• Brig – one of the final ponies working at Woodhorn.
• Ron – another of Woodhorn's last pit ponies.
• Grey – remembered as an exceptionally strong pony who sometimes worked double shifts.
• Britt – named on one of the original signs in the Woodhorn stables.
• Sandy – a Lynemouth Colliery pony who retired aged 16 along with his master, Jim.
• Flax – the last pony to retire from Ellington Colliery.
• Miley – worked at Ashington Bothal Pit.
• Fox – another pony from Ashington Bothal Pit.

Comment below with your three favourite names.

If you know of any other pit pony names connected to Woodhorn or nearby collieries, add those too. We'd also love to hear any memories or stories about these remarkable animals.

We'll count up the votes and the seven most popular names will join our new stable of scooters and wheelchairs.

Image: The Galloway field at Ashington Colliery by Oliver Kilbourn © The Ashington Group Trustees.

Just a reminder that we'll be closed all day tomorrow - Wednesday 10 June.Back open as usual on Thursday 11 June.Thanks ...
09/06/2026

Just a reminder that we'll be closed all day tomorrow - Wednesday 10 June.

Back open as usual on Thursday 11 June.

Thanks for your understanding 😊

Discover the story of the Cramlington 8 at this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic this Saturday (13 June).Meet Ed Wau...
08/06/2026

Discover the story of the Cramlington 8 at this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic this Saturday (13 June).

Meet Ed Waugh, writer of 'The Cramlington Train Wreckers' play and discover the story of the Cramlington 8 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike.

See the display all day and events brought to life through live presentations at 12noon, 1pm or 2pm.

With thanks to Ed Waugh, Fiona Mitford and Cramlington Town Council.

You can catch the full play at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sunday 12 July 2026 - see link in the comments for more info.

Image: from the collection of Dr Blaiklock.

08/06/2026

Northumberland Miners' Picnic returns to Woodhorn Museum this Saturday 13 June!

🎺 Live brass bands & performances
🎨 Family workshops & activities
🎭 Bugs & Beasties parade
📖 Heritage talks & exhibitions
🖤 The return of the iconic 'Big E'
🍔 Local food & drink producers

Join us for a vibrant day celebrating community, culture and North East mining heritage.

FREE entry | 10am–5pm
See the link below for the full programme.

🌸 A rare bloom at Woodhorn Museum! 🌸The rare orchid created in honour of Newcastle United footballing legend Jackie Milb...
07/06/2026

🌸 A rare bloom at Woodhorn Museum! 🌸

The rare orchid created in honour of Newcastle United footballing legend Jackie Milburn has blossomed this week – with not one but TWO blooms, and for the first time in June!

The Jackie Milburn orchid was named in 1953 by Northumbrian orchid grower W J Stables. It was later presented to Jackie Milburn and his wife Laura after appearing in the Newcastle and District Late Chrysanthemum Show.

The orchid’s remarkable story was uncovered by artist Matt Stokes in the Milburn family collection and brought to life in his 2019 exhibition, Soundmirror, following a global search to trace a surviving specimen of the rare Jackie Milburn orchid.

Don’t miss the chance to see this special bloom for yourself. You’ll find it next to the shop in the Cutter building.

05/06/2026

Northumberland Miners' Picnic returns to Woodhorn Museum this Saturday 13 June!

🎺 Live brass bands & performances
🎨 Family workshops & activities
🎭 Bugs & Beasties parade
📖 Heritage talks & exhibitions
🖤 The return of the iconic 'Big E'
🍔 Local food & drink producers

Join us for a vibrant day celebrating community, culture and North East mining heritage.

🎟 Free entry | 10am–5pm

See the link below for the full programme.

It’s National Fish and Chip Day! 💛A true British classic that never fades - chippy teas are just as loved today as they ...
05/06/2026

It’s National Fish and Chip Day! 💛

A true British classic that never fades - chippy teas are just as loved today as they were back in 1948, when Fred Laidler captured them in his artwork 'Fish and Chips'.

What’s your go-to chippy order?

The Ashington Group

🖤 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.

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

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