Woodhorn

Coordinates: 55°11′20″N 1°32′17″W / 55.189°N 1.538°W / 55.189; -1.538

Woodhorn is a village in Northumberland, England about 2 miles (3 km) east of Ashington. The village is sometimes identified with Wucestre, given to St Cuthbert by King Ceolwulf when he gave up his throne in 737 to become a monk at Lindisfarne. A medieval bell at Woodhorn, inscribed "Ave Maria", is said to be one of the oldest in existence.

Economy

The main employment was at the coal mine. The mine has since closed and the site has been landscaped incorporating a lake and known as Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. Some of the mine buildings have been retained and are used as a visitor centre.

Landmarks

Woodhorn Colliery Museum is situated in a country park with a 40-acre (16 ha) lake. With sound effects, models, paintings, working machinery etc., the museum gives an insight into life in a local coal-mining community.

The site of the old pit is now the location for Northumberland Record Office, a purpose-built building having been constructed to replace the two previous buildings at Morpeth and Gosforth.

Woodhorn (Museum)

Coordinates: 55°11′17″N 1°33′00″W / 55.188°N 1.550°W / 55.188; -1.550

Woodhorn, officially Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives and formerly known as Woodhorn Colliery Museum, is located in Ashington, Northumberland. The museum depicts the lives of coal mine workers and features original buildings and equipment from the former colliery, including the two headframes, a winding house, other engine houses, a steam winding engine, stables, a building with ventilation equipment, a blacksmith and joiners shop, and the office. Several buildings contain original equipment and mining exhibits, while others have been converted to museum exhibit areas or wedding, conference and event facilities.

In addition to exhibits about the mine and the life of a miner, the museum features a permanent collection of art created by the Ashington Group. There are also changing exhibits of history, art and science.

Woodhorn Museum Architecture

The museum was first opened in 1989 but following major redevelopment with chief architect Tony Kettle, the museum reopened in October 2006. Now the buildings are protected with listed status and the location is recognised as a Scheduled Ancient Monument as it is the most well preserved example of a late 19th- to early 20th-century colliery in the North Eastern of England.