Woodhorn Museum

Project Overview

Woodhorn, part of Museums Northumberland and formerly known as Woodhorn Colliery Museum, is located in Ashington, Northumberland. The museum depicts the lives of coal mine workers and features original buildings and equipment from the former colliery, including the two headframes, a winding house, other engine houses, a steam winding engine, stables, a building with ventilation equipment, a blacksmith and joiners shop, and the office. Several buildings contain original equipment and mining exhibits, while others have been converted to museum exhibit areas or wedding, conference and event facilities. We were commissioned to provide a combination of project management, civil & structural engineering services for the
extensive refurbishment of the mining heapstead (which is a scheduled monument) and nearby associated structures.

The museum was first opened in 1989 but following major redevelopment with chief architect Tony Kettle, the museum reopened in October 2006. Now the buildings are protected with listed status and the location is recognised as a scheduled monument as it is the most well preserved example of a late 19th to early 20th century colliery in the North East of England. The heapstead had fell into disrepair after several years without proper maintenance, however following its extensive refurbishment was reopened to the public as part of the established mining museum.