Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Office
Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Commercial
- Date of designation
- 9 February 1995
- Locality
- Big Pit Mining Museum
- Community
- Blaenavon
- Unitary authority
- Torfaen
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.77258, -3.10478
- Cadw reference
- 15285
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Built into the hillside at the north-east end of the site, at right angles to and adjoining the electrical workshops.
History
Built c 1900. Big Pit was operated in connection with Blaenavon Ironworks, then by the National Coal Board from 1947 to 1980. Underground workings date from the early C19 but the shaft on this site was sunk in 1860. The present surface structures date from between c1900 and the 1970's. This piecemeal development was typical of mines in South Wales and it is now the most complete remaining, having been reopened as a museum in 1983.
Exterior
Whitewashed rectangular building, two-storey to north-west and single storey to south-east. The lower storey is stone built and has a single opening with iron lintel. The upper storey is brick throughout, and shows three phases of construction. Windows have segmental brick arches and brick sills. The slate roof is hipped at its north-east end and has ridge tiles and two red brick chimneys.
Interior
The corridor connecting the offices has a ceramic tiled floor. The offices themselves were not accessible.
Reason for designation
Included for group value with other listed items at this exceptionally complete colliery site.
Nearby in the register
- Deputies LodgeCommercialunder 1 mi
- Electrical WorkshopCommercialunder 1 mi
- Haulage Engine and Pitman's CabinDomesticunder 1 mi
- Pit Head Building, Headframe and Tram CircuitIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.