The Isle of Purbeck has a rich mineral history and once boasted a substantial network of narrow gauge lines to convey Ball clay to both rail and sea links. One of these lines was the first railway in South West England. The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum Project seeks to establish a visitor and exhibition centre located at the former Norden Ball Clay Works.

The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum (PMMM) Group formed to consider establishing a permanent mining museum at Norden to exhibit artefacts primarily connected to the mining of ball clay in Purbeck and other significant minerals extracted in Purbeck, which were intimately connected with the construction, growth and history of the Swanage Railway. The aim of the Museum is to enhance the visitor experience when visiting the Swanage Railway.

The Museum will be predominantly an outdoor educational facility with a large indoor area, making it an additional wet weather activity for Purbeck. It is based on redundant land adjacent to the park & ride and Norden Station. The ultimate desire is to re-create a working environment typical of the clay mining industry and including a short operational narrow gauge demonstration line around the Norden site. An industrial diesel locomotive and a set of skip waggons have been purchased and restored to working condition.

Prior to the opening of the Museum a trailway has been created around the Park & Ride site with boards explaining the remnants of the mining activity that can be seen. The trail starts at the Reception Building at Norden.

The Group have relocated the redundant ECC Norden No 7 mine (drift type) complete with operational winch gear and a rake of underground tubs, from its operating position on the west of the A351 to the bank on the north side of Norden Station. This provides a central focus for the Mineral Museum. A simulated mine tunnel showing different types of construction is nearing completion.

A new locomotive shed is well under construction by the volunteers and should be ready to take visiting locomotives from the end of 2012.

No.28 was one of the last wagons to survive at Furzebrook and, at the request of the Narrow Gauge Railway Society, the scrap dealers dismantling the line released it for display at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn, North Wales in July 1957. In December 2002 Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum Group approached Tywyn Museum. Discussions on the future of the wagon followed, resulting in the setting up of a long-term trust agreement on behalf of the Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum. The wagon was returned to Dorset by Tywyn Museum in April 2003 and is currently on display at the Museum Entrance.

The group has also been given the opportunity to display the Furzebrook Railway locomotive Secundus, the engine a Bellis and Seeking 0-6-0WT of 1874 from the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry. This is conditional on the group providing secure and dry storage, and on 22nd January 2004Secundus was transported from Birmingham back to Purbeck, and is now stored displayed in the Corfe Castle Goods Shed Museum on the Swanage Railway. It is intended in the future to create an Educational Centre beyond the Mine building and included within this will be display area for Secundus together with wagon No. 28. 

The Foreman's Office has been fully restored and will become the entrance to the Museum.

Various artefacts from the site have also been recovered, including a pair of 3ft 9inch gauge axles from the Newton tramway and a pair of original cast iron plates from the Middlebere plateway together with various items relating to clay mining at Norden. Ex Miners have donated photographs, artwork, tools, lamps and candles and many other items that will help to preserve the history of a major Purbeck industry .

Thank you for your interest in our project and we look forward to your support.