Find out about local family friendly events in and around South Leeds, including: Leeds City Centre, West Leeds (Bramley & Stanningley, Armley, Pudsey & Tong, Farnley & Wortley), East Leeds (Garforth & Swillington, Temple Newsam, Rothwell, Crossgates, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill), South Leeds (Morley, Beeston, Holbeck, Hunslet Middleton Park, Cottingley & Belle Isle) and surrounding areas.
Geology Rocks returns to the National Coal Mining Museum with a fun-packed day on Saturday 29th April 2023.
Following the success of last year’s event, we have partnered with Yorkshire Geological Society once again to give visitors the chance to explore the world beneath their feet with guided tours, exciting demonstrations, creative workshops, and expert advice.
Our underground walks through the Drift Mine are a steep trek down the drift with a geologist on-hand to answer all of your questions. Booking is essential for this activity.
Above ground, we’ve got surface tours, an hour-long stroll to Hope Pit rock exposure to see the coal seam, enter the tunnel then view our fossil collection at the Blacksmith’s Workshop.
Throughout the day visitors will have the chance to view our own exhibits of fossils, minerals, and rocks, then see rock-cutting and polishing demonstrations and get the opportunity to have your favourite rock identified by experts.
Younger visitors can indulge their creativity with a host of hands-on activities including rock painting, sand painting and creating their own fossil from plaster at our Blacksmith’s. There’s also a fun fossil hunt from noon to 4pm at our sand pits and the chance to learn the art of rag rugging, using old scraps of material to create textiles.
Throughout the afternoon there will be a range of talks including Digging Deeper which takes a look at the geology of our Caphouse Colliery site including a display of plant fossils and coal balls and a presentation from YGS’s president. We’ll also chart coal mining’s development in relation to seams and structures with a unique model and there will be presentations on subjects including ammonites, mini fossils and how melting ice affected the Dales.
Shaun McLoughlin, Mine Director at the National Coal Mining Museum said: “After such a successful Geology Rocks last year, we’re delighted to be joining forces with Yorkshire Geology Society to offer our visitors a fun-packed day of exciting exhibits and interactive experiences learning about the ground beneath our feet.”
Paul Hildreth, General Secretary of the Yorkshire Geological Society added: “ This event is a real showcase for Yorkshire geology, and we hope it inspires the next generation of geologists. We work closely with colleagues from the NCMM to enable access to exciting displays, talks and hands-on experiences for the general public to enjoy. Experts will be on hand throughout the day to offer advice, identify specimens and even cut rocks to reveal any stored secrets. So, dig out those rocks, minerals and fossils that have puzzled you for so long and bring them along on April 29th to find out what they are and the story behind them.”
