Heritage Open Days 2025

As in previous years, several hundred industrial heritage sites will be opening their doors for free to the public, whilst dozens more events, from talks to walks, will look at the stories of industrial archaeology, history, and the people involved across England. With the ‘Railway 200’ anniversary celebrations for the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 culminating at the end of September, it seems appropriate that there are over a hundred railway-related sites and events available this year.

Lancashire Mining Museum given £360,000 to save historic winding house

The Lancashire Mining Museum has been given over £360,000 to save its ‘unique’ winding house.

The Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley, Wigan, has been given about £200,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The money will be used to safeguard the ‘unique’ winding house, which is a prominent feature in the area.

More money to save the building has been given by the Association for Industrial Archaeology, the Arts Council, Awards for All, the Pilgrim Trust and Wigan Council, making a total of over £360,000.

Opened in 1908, the colliery closed in 1970. A large number of written and photographic records have survived. The site includes a winding headgear, winding engine, colliery cottages and a miner’s canteen.

More details about the museum can be obtained from: https://lancashireminingmuseum.lexington-staging-site.co.uk/visit-