May Half Term

Explore the great outdoors this May Half Term at the National Coal Mining Museum with hands-on activities, pit village pastimes and much more.

Time Tunnel

Wed-Sun

£5.50 per child, £6.50 per adult, pre-booking advised

Be transported through the centuries as you are taken through almost 200 years of mining history thanks to state-of-the-art technology. You will travel through time and discover the incredible stories of coal mining through the centuries.

Makers’ Shed

Wed-Sun, 11:30am-3:30pm

Free, drop-in at Pony Discovery Centre, The Hub

Step into the streets of Tom McGuinness paintings and make games inspired by pit village pastimes.

Life in the Pit Village: Wartime Stories Unearthed

Fri 22-Sun 24, Wed 27-Sun 31 May, 11:30am-3pm

Free, drop-in at The Hub

Travel back to the 1940s and uncover what life was really like in the Pit Village through family-friendly storytelling. Learn how the war touched every household and handle the treasured items that helped hold the community together.

Bold As Brass

Saturday 23 May, 10am-5pm,

Free entry, find out more 

Join the museum for Bold as Brass, the annual brass bands march and entertainment content, in partnership with Brass Bands England.

Spring Scavenger Hunt

Wed 27- Fri 29 May

10:30am-11:30am, pre-bookable

Join a woodland adventure hunting for nature’s treasures. Perfect for under 5s!

The Beach

Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm (if the sun is shining)

Enjoy a day out at the seaside, build sandcastles and soak up the sunshine.

Horsekeeper Talks

Wed-Sun, 12pm and 2:30pm

Free at Pony Discovery Centre

Visit Eric, Ernie, Finn and Bud. Join a our Horsekeeper talks at 12pm, see what they are fed at 2:30pm.

Paint, Patterns and People Workshop

Wed 27 & Sat 30 May, 1:30pm-2:30pm and 2:30pm-3:30pm

£2.50 per family (up to 4 people), pre-bookable

Join artists Lenny and Whale for this fun painting workshop. Create your own colourful character to add to the sculptural village that will be exhibited at the Museum in October 2026, inspired by sculptor Betty Miller’s ‘My Village’.

Kite Making Family Workshop

Wed 27, Thu 28 and Fri 29 May, 11am-12:30pm

£10 per family, pre-bookable

Celebrate the joy of spring and craft your own beautiful kite using wood, fabric, and ribbon. Build it, decorate it, and watch your creation soar against the spring sky.

Nature Backpacks

Wed-Sun

£10 refundable deposit, collect at Reception

These specially designed backpacks have everything needed for an outdoor adventure, and are packed with essential tools! Choose from Marvellous Minibeasts, Brilliant Birds, Treemendous Trees or Watery Wildlife. Come back and use all four backpacks to complete a collectible puzzle! Grab a backpack and let curiosity lead the way! 

Tours:

Pithead Baths Explore

Wed-Sun, 12pm, Free

Meet at Pithead Baths

Discover the daily routines of miners, from the start to the end of their day, in this fun family tour!

Visit this May Half Term for a fantastic family day out, enjoy Horsekeeper talks, take a walk around the Nature Trail, explore discovery spots, and lots, lots more!

PLEASE NOTE: THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS