In its heyday Rhondda's coal was as important as the oil produced by the Middle East today. This Welsh Valley helped to power the world, and the character and culture of the Rhondda is brought to life in the 'Black Gold' story through exciting multi media displays set in three restored colliery buildings. Accompanied by your ex-miner guide, your tour takes you to in the Bertie Winding House.
This multi media exhibition takes you back in time to the start of mining in the Rhondda Valleys and tells the history of Lewis Merthyr Colliery, the Tynewydd mining disaster and of important figures in South Wales coal mining history.
The
Lamp Room will prepare you for a shift in the safest pit in South Wales and here
you will discover the importance of safety lamps before collecting your mining
helmets and descending - just like a working miner - in the 'cage' to 'pit bottom'
where your underground experience begins.
Once underground
you will soon appreciate what life was like as a coalminer.
You can touch
the machinery, hear the effects as explosives are detonated, smell and even taste
the changing atmospheric conditions and humidity of life underground.
As
an exciting end to your tour you will be transported back to the surface on an
amazing simulated ride where you are hurtled and catapulted through the dark and
twisting tunnels.
This
multi media exhibition portrays the role of women in the community and the cultural
and social heritage of the Valleys is vividly brought to life. It traces history
to the end of mining in the Rhondda Valleys.Finally don't miss the Trevor Winding
House.
This multi media exhibition transports you back in time to 1958 where
you join your narrator Bryn Rees in the middle of a working shift.
See the huge winding engine turning during the show.
For
younger visitors the excitement continues with a visit to the action-packed
' Energy Zone'.
Sand ! Water ! Slides ! Swings! -
Bright play area for
toddlers and young children
Jump ! Spin ! Swing !
Climb! -
Exciting gear for older children including the giant spinning net
The 'Energy Zone' is suitable for children aged 2-13yrs and is available daily from 10am - 5pm April to September with supervised play available throughout the main school holidays and weekends during this period.
Information :
Guided Tours
Please be aware
you will as part of your tour experience uneven ground, strobe lighting effects
and a simulated ride, which is not recommended for pregnant women or those with
back problems or heart complaints.
Warm clothing and sensible footwear advised.
Please allow at least 1 ½hours for the underground tour
Simulated
Ride - Height restrictions
Following recent advice from Health and Safety
inspectors, we have found it necessary to introduce a height restriction on the
Simulated Ride at the end of the Underground Experience.
The restriction
is that persons under 1.1 metres may not ride.
Children between 1.1 metres
and 1.2 metres must be accompanied by an adult.
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