Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Date of Designation
09/02/1995
Date of Amendment
09/02/1995
Unitary Authority
Torfaen
Locality
Big Pit Mining Museum
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.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]