About

Dig up and handle amazing rocks and fossils, enjoy unique shows and tours, and explore the world beneath your feet.


Event organised in partnership with Yorkshire Geological Society.


Meet geology experts, with demonstrations and activities across the whole National Coal Mining Museum site including:


Drift Walks


10.30am & 1pm, booking essential, ages 10+ only


Head down the National Coal Mining Museum’s steep drift, a sloped roadway leading out of the pit, and discover where coal used to leave the mine.




Surface Walks


10:30am, 12pm & 2pm, pre-bookable

Meet at Café


Discover the rocks around the museum and explore the Lister-Kaye Tunnel.




Fossil Identification


10am-1:30pm

Free, drop-in


Bring your rock, mineral and fossils specimens to be identified by experts.




Rock Cutting


10am-1:30pm

Free, drop-in


Unearth the secrets of rocks from your collection – bring one along to see it get cut and polished.




Makers’ Shed


12pm-4pm

Free, drop-in


Unearth the past and get creative to make your own fossils.




The Rock ‘n’ Coal Show


Various performances, timings tbc

Free


Discover how coal was formed and how we know where to find it! Meet famous people from history such as the Father of Geology William Smith and Marie Curie who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her scientific discoveries.




Science Shows


12pm-4pm

Free, drop-in


Set off a volcano, identify rocks and fossils, and make coal seams in a test tube to take away. These sessions are facilitated by LoveScience.




Geological Talks


1:15pm-5pm

Free, drop-in


Experience a series of short talks from YGS members, ranging from the best places to see interesting fossils to the geology of Caphouse Colliery.




Other activities include a Fossil Trail, Discovery Spots, Nature Trail, Horsekeeper talks (12pm & feeding 2:30pm), Pithead Baths Explore (12pm), and lots, lots more!


Venue opening hours

Monday : Closed

Tuesday : Closed

Wednesday : 9:45 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday : 9:45 am - 5:00 pm

Friday : 9:45 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday : 9:45 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday : 9:45 am - 5:00 pm

Venue Details

Find us at

New Road, Wakefield, WF4 4RH

Phone

01924848806

Email

info@ncm.org.uk