Snibston Discovery Centre

A look back at the Snibston Discovery Centre shortly before it closed in 2015

Looking back through old photos (while the weather has not been good for getting out) I revisited a trip to Snibston Discovery Centre in Coalville 2015. Months later the museum closed due to council cutbacks and much of the site was demolished for redevelopment with many items from the collection moved elsewhere. Thankfully the Snibston No 2 Colliery buildings that formed part of the museum site were listed and have been retained and since reopened for tours. A heritage trail has been established around the colliery site. The site once had a stretch of railway running line towards the former connection to the freight only line through Coalville. This has been replaced with a cycle track and the rails just survive where they are set in to a couple of former level crossings. The sidings in and around the colliery buildings remain in place.

Much more about the colliery can be found on the Northern Mines Research Society website.

Google Maps

1929 Map

Below - A crawler excavator on display outside the main hall which was demolished in 2016.

Below - Andrew Barclay fireless loco 1815 of 1924 in the main hall.

Below - Brush 314 of 1906. This and a few other exhibits from Snibston were moved to Mountsorrel Heritage Centre

Below - Some of the other exhibits around the main hall.

 Below - The signal box and colliery buildings that thankfully have been kept.

Below - One of a few battery electric English Electric mines locos that were on the site.

Below Hudswell Clark DM1238 of 1960, this has recently moved to the Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green.

Below - Hunslet 8973 of 1979

Below - Inside the mine's engine shed Hunslet "Austerity" 3851 of 1962 Cadley Hill No 1.

Below - Hunslet 6289

Below - Ruston 393304, this engine can also be found at Mountsorrel Heritage Centre today.

Though the main hall of the museum has gone at least all was not lost and the historic buildings of the colliery survive as part of the Snibston Colliery Park. More details of what remains can be found on Leicestershire Country Parks website.