Hopewell Colliery

Hopewell Colliery is a rare working coal mine and museum located in the heart of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It offers visitors a unique, firsthand look at the ancient tradition of Freemining, a right dating back hundreds of years that allows locals to mine their own “gales”.

What You Can Do There
Guided Underground Tours: Led by experienced Freeminers, these 45-minute tours take you through miles of tunnels dug since the 1820s. You’ll see actual coal seams and learn how coal is extracted using traditional methods.
Surface Museum: Explore a collection of historical mining equipment, tools, and photographs.
Café and Shop: The on-site Colliery Cafe serves hot meals, snacks, and “legendary” Sunday lunches.

Plan Your Visit
Typical Duration: Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at the site, which includes the 45-minute tour plus time for the museum and café.
Best Suited For: It is ideal for families with older children, history enthusiasts, and school groups. It is not suitable for very young children (under 3s), those with limited mobility, or those who are claustrophobic.
Best Times to Go: The mine is typically open from Easter (Good Friday) to October, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.

What Makes it Unique
Unlike typical “show caves,” Hopewell is an active working mine. It is the only working colliery in the area open to the public, providing an authentic look at “Freemining”—a legal right unique to the Forest of Dean.

Booking Tips & Benefits
Mandatory Pre-booking: Due to group size limits, all underground tours must be pre-booked via the official online system.
Free Access Areas: Entry to the surface museum, gift shop, and café is completely free; you only pay for the guided underground tour.
Group & School Offers: Concessionary rates are available for school trips and large group bookings by prior arrangement.
What to Bring: The mine is a real working environment; visitors are required to wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing, as it is cold and potentially damp underground.