WOODHORN
NORTHUMBERLAND'S BIGGEST ADVENTURE
If you're looking for the spirit of Northumberland, you will find it here.
For over a century, Northumberland has played its part in making Britain Great. Its people powered invention and manufacturing with its greatest contribution being Coal. This ran Factories and railways as well as heating homes. Harvesting this 'black gold' was costly to the miners and their families, living with a constant threat of losing lives. They fought a never ending battle for better conditions and wages, which never seemed to be won.
Then it was all gone 'Pit Villages' and communities died.
Woodhorn Pit was situated in Ashington, which was only a small village, like many others in the 1800's. By the 1920's Northumberland had 39 Collieries, five of which were in Ashington and the village mushroomed to a thriving town. Each person living there, one way or another, relied on the mining of coal for their livlihood.
Woodhorn, like so many other pits, ceased production in the 1980's and by 2005, coal mining was gone from Northumberland and Northumbrians faced the challenge of change, adopting hospitality and tourism, celebrating its Heritage.
Now a new Museum has risen from the old pit, a Country Park on the reclaimed land, architecture, art and artists, a new home for the history and archives of the County.
now try THE WOODHORN EXPERIENCE
http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/visits.htm
You will want to spend days visiting this newly opened venture, take a look at the web site.
WHAT'S ON
A Drop in Time
A big screen time travel adventure. Hurtle back through the centuries, courtesy of cutting edge computer simulations
Coal Town
2 hour experience of what coal mining life was all about. The joy of washdays and winning leeks
Spectacular Photographic Record of Northumbrian Life
The Country Park
40 acres to cycle, discover the Nature Trails
Darkside Tour
Visit the off limits part of the pit normally closed to the public (if you dare)
Northumberland at your Fingertips
The study centre gives access to 700 years of the County's history and folklore. Everything from Weaving to Witchcraft
The Woodhorn Experience Web Link