Washington 'F' Pit Museum

Washington F-Pit Museum is a preserved 19th-century coal mining engine house located in Albany, Washington, Tyne and Wear. Built in 1903, the grade-II listed engine house and attached head gear served the F-Pit colliery, one of the many pits that made up the New Washington Colliery. Originally sunk around 1777, it was abandoned several times through flooding and depletion of coal seams throughout its history, but was revived through modernisation to reach its peak in the mid twentieth century until its closure in 1968.

As a heritage venue too, it has been through several changes. It was opened as a museum in 1976 by the Washington Development Corporation and is now an Scheduled Ancient Monument overseen by Sunderland Council. Community consultation on F-Pit and the surrounding Albany Park, on land reclaimed from the former pit, was undertaken in 2024. Updates are planned including a new visitor centre and café, improving accessibility and experience at a venue that provides visitors with a vivid insight into the region’s mining past.

Visitors can explore the engine house and learn about the life and work of Washington’s mining communities. Interpretive panels and displays explain the history of coal mining in the area and the technology that powered it. During Heritage Open Days, the enormous winding engine will be operated, by electricity now rather than with steam, allowing guests to witness its original movements.

Timings & Tours

Friday 12 September:

12pm - 3pm

Saturday 13 September:

10am - 4pm

Sunday 14 September:

12pm - 3pm

Monday 15 September:

12pm - 3pm

Tuesday 16 September:

12pm - 3pm

Wednesday 17 September:

12pm - 3pm

Thursday 18 September:

12pm - 3pm

Friday 19 September:

12pm - 3pm

Saturday 20 September:

12pm - 3pm

Sunday 21 September:

12pm - 3pm

Location & directions

Washington 'F' Pit Museum, Albany Way, Washington, Tyne & Wear, NE37 1BN

Directions:

Washington 'F' Pit Museum is located in Albany Park, a short walk from Concord High Street and Bus Station. Buses also stop on Albany Way. There is a free carpark on site and there are brown signs from the A1231.

Telephone number:

+441915612323

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Access to the upper floor and engine is by stairs only. There is a film showing the engine at work on the ground floor. There is a single toilet onsite on the ground floor with a larger than usual cubicle size but not large enough for larger motorised wheelchairs.

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