Chatterley Whitfield Underground Experience
Chatterley Whitfield halted its production on March 25, 1977, and soon after, efforts began to transform the colliery into a visitor attraction, featuring tours of the underground workings that opened to the public in 1979. Many surface structures were refurbished, and machinery was restored to its original operational state, vividly illustrating the life and working conditions of local miners. The Winstanley shaft served as the entry point to the deeper levels of the mine, drawing in as many as 70,000 visitors annually at its peak.
Underground operations face two significant challenges: the constant seepage of water, which necessitates ongoing drainage to prevent flooding, and the accumulation of highly explosive methane gas released from decaying plant matter within the coal seams. These issues were managed by the nearby Wolstanton colliery, which was linked to Chatterley Whitfield. Due to its lower elevation, water naturally flowed to Wolstanton, where it was pumped to the surface. Additionally, as an active colliery, Wolstanton supplied fresh air through its ventilation systems.
In May 1986, the closure of the Wolstanton colliery raised concerns about potential flooding and gas buildup in the underground mining experience at Chatterley Whitfield. To address these fears, a new experience was developed using shallow workings and a railway cutting, allowing underground tours to persist until the museum faced liquidation in 1993, ultimately closing its doors on August 9 of that year.
