Venue Description

A world away from a traditional mining museum, Woodhorn is well-known for its fun and varied programme of exhibitions and events programme. The museum is proud to house the Ashington Group Collection of artworks – commonly known as the ‘Pitmen Painters’. This iconic display showcases what daily life was really like for miners in and around Ashington from the 1930s. It is reputed to be the first collection of amateur art to go on permanent display anywhere in the world. Woodhorn brings to life Northumberland’s proud mining heritage, alongside an ever-changing contemporary arts and event programme – making it a fun and cultural day out. 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 last remaining coal mining built heritage and check out our winding houses – including the most powerful winding engine in the region and the ventilation fan which took a direct hit, but survived the German bombing of 1941. Our modern Cutter Building showcases our impressive banner collection, Coal Town exhibition and, of course, our iconic Ashington Group Collection. The mixture of the historic and the modern is something you can expect from all Museums Northumberland sites. With so much to see and do at Woodhorn Museum, it’s a hands-on experience to remember A valid Annual Pass is required for entry onto the museum site.

Accessibility

Six of the original colliery buildings open to the public are accessible at ground level or have access ramps to higher levels. 'The Cutter' main museum and archive building is set out over two floors but is built into the hillside allowing ground level access to both floors. There is a long access ramp between the upper and lower ground floors hung with iconic Miner's banners. The shop and café located in the Cutter are also fully accessible on ground level. We have several mobility scooters and wheelchairs available to loan free of charge. It is best to contact the museum to reserve these before your visit. Ear defenders can also be borrowed from the Welcome Desk in the Cutter building. We are also part of the WelcoMe scheme, which allows visitors with access requirements to let venues know in advance that they will be visiting them, and how they can help. https://www.wel-co.me/visitors

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/about-us/accessibility/

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Woodhorn-Access-Guide-2023.pdf

Awards List

Green Tourism Gold Award The Journal Culture Awards 2013: North East Museum Winner International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice: Bronze award WOW Award Johnston Press: Best Event Shortlisted and Shortlisted Best Venue for Children National Museums and Heritage Awards: Highly Commended for Best Project on a Limited Budget and Finalist Best Marketing Campaign International PocketMedia® Awards 2014: Most Creative Design winner and Overall Judges’ Choice Award The Journal Culture Awards 2014: North East Museum of the Year and Best Event Northumberland Living North Awards 2015: North East Attraction of the Year Evening Chronicle People’s Choice Awards: Best Family Attraction Award Runner Up and Best Event Runner Up The Journal Culture Awards 2015: Museum of the Year Finalist, Best Event Northumberland Winner and Best Event North East Overall Winner Blue Badge Access Awards 2019: Winner of The Historic England Award for access in a Listed Building Newcastle Gateshead Initiative Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2022, Bronze Award Winner

Toilets

Public toilets are located at the tourist information point in the car park, the Workshop Galleries and on both ground and upper ground floors of the Cutter Building. All toilets have level access. There are vertical rails either side of both basin and toilet. There is a horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent to the toilet. There are lever taps on the sinks. We do have a Changing Places toilet, which is on the upper level of the Cutter Building. More details can be found here: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=1794

Staff

All of our staff receive regular training that includes disability awareness training. Staff have also completed Dementia Friends training. We are here to help you make the most of your visit to Woodhorn, so please do contact us in advance of your visit if you require any specific assistance or information.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance dogs are welcome at Woodhorn Museum. Family pets may also accompany visitors everywhere except inside the Cutter building and the café.

Other assistance dog facilities

We have a dog bowl available for water outside the administration building adjacent to the car park and also outside the Cafe on the main site.