The Winding House

Cross Street, Caerphilly, NP24 6EG, Wales

About

The Winding House in New Tredegar is the museum for the Caerphilly County Borough - with fascinating and engaging exhibitions, our remarkable Victorian winding engine, an exciting events programme and the "best cup of coffee in the Valleys" (according to some regular visitors). What's more, admission is FREE! Explore the hidden history of Caerphilly County Borough in our West Gallery - from Romans to Revolutions, Castles to Cavaliers, the Iron Age to the Iron Works, there's lots to see, do and explore! Our East Gallery features a changing programme of fascinating exhibitions each year. Our latest exhibition, Coalfaces: a mining community in photos – Bargoed in the 1970s” features a series of remarkable and very personal photographs taken around the Bargoed area in the 1970s by a young Swedish photographer, Kjell-Åke Andersson. They feature not just the miners of Bargoed Colliery but also photographs in local homes, street scenes and nights out in pubs and clubs, uniquely capturing a way of life typical in mining communities across the Valleys at that time. The exhibition was officially opened by Kjell-Åke Andersson himself, who travelled over specially from Sweden in May of this year, 40 years after he first visited the area. It is on display until Spring 2014. Built on the site of the former Elliot Colliery, the museum's centre-piece is the original Victorian winding engine, which runs on specific days throughout the year. Discover more about the history of coal mining in the local area in our new engine house interpretation. Also - discover how you can explore the museum's collection of objects, documents and photographs to help your local and family history research, in our Heritage Research Centre. Or why not take time out in our Coffee Shop with some delicious tea, coffee and cakes and find that special souvenir among the wide selction of traditional toys, quality crafts, jewellry and books in our Gift Shop