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BRITAIN BENEATH · GUIDE · 8 OCTOBER 2026

Caphouse and Hope Pit: Two Shafts With Different Jobs

Caphouse’s engine lifted people and materials up and down the mine shaft. Hope Pit’s shaft probably began as a drain and later helped air move through the mine. Their surviving structures tell different parts of the mining story.

Based on published records and visitor information. We have not visited these places.

Caphouse’s tall lifting tower with wheels above the mine buildings, photographed in March 2011.

Caphouse’s main lifting tower in March 2011. The photo does not show Hope Pit’s separate protected shaft.

Caphouse Headstock by Plucas58 · CC0 1.0. Resized and converted to WebP; no cropping.

Two sites in one museum

At Caphouse, an engine pulled ropes to carry people and materials up and down the mine shaft—a deep vertical opening. Nearby Hope Pit’s shaft probably began as a drain, removing water from the mine. It later helped air move through the underground passages. Its tower was used for inspections rather than the main lifting work done at Caphouse.

The National Coal Mining Museum at Overton brings the sites together. Caphouse stopped mining in 1985 when its coal ran out, and the museum opened in 1988. Hope Pit’s renewed visitor area opened in 2005 after conservation work.

The buildings explain several tasks needed underground: lifting, drainage and a supply of air. Surface visits and underground tours have separate arrangements. In our latest check, the dedicated tour page said underground bookings were paused.

Caphouse’s main lifting tower

Caphouse’s main tower, known as a headstock, stands over a shaft. An engine pulled cables to lift people and materials between the surface and the mine.

Historic England lists the winding house, shaft enclosure and wooden tower together at Grade II*. It dates the group to 1876, with later changes. It records the original steam winding engine in the house.

The March 2011 photo shows Caphouse’s main tower, identified by the photographer. It does not show Hope Pit’s separate protected shaft. The two structures had different jobs and should not be confused.

Hope Pit’s shaft

Hope Pit’s protected group has a shaft head, wooden tower and a horse-powered lifting device called a gin. The waste heap beneath them is protected too. Historic England describes the old tower as a rare survivor.

Hope Pit’s shaft probably began as a drain and later helped move air through the workings. Its tower helped with inspections. Those jobs differed from Caphouse’s main lifting system.

Historic England says the shaft head and tower can be seen from the museum. Stay in the visitor areas: that view does not include entry to the shaft or access onto the remains.

Transport linked the sites as well. The museum dates a coal railway to 1854. Its tunnel under the road later had different museum uses. It is not a separate public shortcut.

Check surface visits and tours

The general visitor page lists free surface entry from Wednesday to Sunday, without advance booking. The address is Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RH. Follow signs and stay in visitor areas around Hope Pit.

Underground tours need a separate check. On 7 October 2026, the tour page said bookings were paused during a review. Other text still described booking. We follow the clear pause notice and do not promise a trip below ground.

Check directly before travelling for an underground tour. A surface visit is a separate experience, with buildings and displays explaining lifting, drainage, airflow and the people who worked at the mines.

Sources and further reading

Historic England records and the museum’s history, visitor and tour pages were checked on 7 October 2026. We have not visited or confirmed visitor arrangements directly with staff. Museum pages disagree about underground tours. The dedicated page clearly says bookings are paused. Check surface opening separately. The 2011 photo shows Caphouse’s main tower, not Hope Pit’s protected shaft. Photo rights are credited beside the image. The 1 place records below give more information.

You can follow the links to read the original sources. Sources and permissions.

Places in this story

Industrial

Hope Pit’s protected shaft head and headgear

Near Wakefield

Researched guide · October 2026

Exterior viewing only