Group Tours
Follow in the footsteps and experience the day in the life of a Leicestershire coal miner with a guided tour of the historic Snibston Colliery.
Group Tours are limited to 25 – 30 people. If your group consist of more than 30 then it will be necessary to split the group. The cost per adult is £8.00 and children under 15 go free.
What to expect on your visit
The tour is led by experienced former miners who will take you through the colliery, from the miner collecting his lamps in the lamp room and his tally in the control room, which also monitors the whole pit, to the powder magazine to collect his ‘shot’ (note: no live explosives are used on the tour or kept on site), onto the pit top and the ‘cage’ ready to go underground, as well as to the winding house and winder which raises and lowers the cage. The tour also takes in the medical centre – the one room miners did not want to experience! The tour takes in the surface buildings as it is not possible to go underground at Snibston Colliery.
'Into the Dark' mine simulation
As it is no longer possible to go underground at Snibston, you can experience our ‘Into the Dark’ mine simulation. An accurate recreation of a coalface at Snibston which gives you the experience of being underground without leaving the surface.
- The tours are about 1.5 hours long. They start and finish at the Colliery Café. The tour includes some steps onto the pit top and winding house. Sensible shoes are recommended. The tour is suitable for children over the age of 6, but very young children are welcomed. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Group Tour Enquiry Form
Do I book a free ticket for my child/children under 15?
Children under 15 go free and are all welcome. The tour can be difficult for very young children, e.g. 3 – 5-year-olds, but the park has an excellent adventure playground for children of all ages. From 2026, the visit will include a children’s observational tour sheet for younger children.
Are there any steps on the tour?
The tour is mostly on the level but there are a few steps up onto the pit top and winding engine house. Our tour assistant can help you negotiate the steps but, if you have limited mobility, the assistant will explain the pit top and winding engine house from the bottom of the steps.
Do I need to wear heavy boots or wellingtons?
No, the tour is on solid ground, but a pair of strong, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Are there any loud noises?
Yes. There are moderately loud bell sounds in the pit top and winding engine house. There will be a loud bang in both the explosive store and the ‘Into the Dark’ mine simulation. Please let the guide know if you or any of your party are sensitive to noise and the guide will let you know when the bang will occur.
Are dogs allowed on the tour?
We cannot accommodate dogs on the tour unless they are assistance dogs.
How do you accept payment?
Payment can be made on the day, by cash or card, or in advance by cheque or bank transfer. Cheques can be made payable to Snibston Heritage Trust. All children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
To book please contact the Secretary, Stuart Warburton at group@snibstoncolliery.org.uk
Please give a minimum of three weeks between booking and the proposed tour date.
What about College and University visits?
For Colleges and Universities, the team at Snibston can assist with your learning objectives. Contact Stuart Warburton group@snibstoncolliery.org.uk or telephone 07709 957 921 for a chat.
How to find us
We are situated on Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3LN. Our what 3 words is afford.army.look.
Coalville is 15mins from junction 22 of the M1 to the south and 15mins from the A42 Ashby turn-off to the north. When using a Sat Nav please following post code LE67 3LN.
Parking
Parking on site is to the right when entering Snibston Colliery Park. The car park is behind the Café. It has an ANPR system, so please pay on exit. Current fees will be displayed at the pay station.
There are disabled bays as well as car charging bays.
Accessibility
Most of the tour is on a flat surface with ramps going into and out of the main building. However due to its size the ‘into the dark’ experience is unsuitable for wheelchair access. Part of the tour is by some 14 then 5 steps. Assistance dogs are welcome but in the powder magazine there is a explosion demo which is unsuitable for dogs.
Facilities on-site
A mountain bike trail, nature reserve and heritage trail can all be found on site with the country’s best preserved colliery site located in the heart of the National Forest.
For general information only. Opening times, events and restrictions may change without notice. Please check each venue’s website or contact them directly before visiting.