Britannia Mine Museum
150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach, British Colombia, BC V8B 1J1
Once the British Empire’s biggest copper mine, the Britannia Mine’s tunnels, shafts, and structures are now preserved in an award-winning museum. Come to the Britannia Mine Museum to ride a train into a mine, pan for gold flakes, and learn about the lives of generations of miners who worked copper deposits at the edge of Howe Sound.
The Basics
While Britannia Mine used to be a far-flung camp accessible only by boat, its prime location on the Sea-to-Sky Highway means this family-friendly museum is now easy to reach from Vancouver, Squamish, or Whistler. The Britannia Mine Museum includes a train ride into a hauling tunnel, open-air exhibits on mining’s environmental impact, gold-panning troughs, a mill, a century-old machine shop, and play areas for kids. Purchase tickets online to save time, or join a group or private tour of sights along the Sea to Sky route.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Britannia Mine Museum is great for families with kids; the mine train and gold panning exhibits are especially popular with children.
If you’re joining a tour of the museum, arrive 20 minutes early.
Temperatures in the mining tunnel can be chilly; bring an extra layer—even when the weather is warm.
Some exhibits are outdoors, but there are enough inside activities to make this a good rainy-day destination.
The visitor center, exhibit hall, gold-panning pavilion, and store are all wheelchair accessible, but the underground areas and historic buildings are not.
How to Get There
Located on the eastern side of Highway 99 (the Sea-to-Sky Highway), the Britannia Mine Museum is roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Vancouver and 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) south of Squamish, with ample parking available on-site. Public transit options are limited, but some tours of the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway stop at the Britannia Mine Museum on the way from Vancouver to Whistler or Pemberton.
When to Get There
The museum is open to the public year-round, with hours from 9:30am to 4:30pm daily. Plan to spend a few hours exploring the exhibits.
What to See Near the Britannia Mine Museum
With a dramatic location near the head of Howe Sound, the Britannia Mine Museum is a short distance from some of British Columbia’s top attractions. Nearby highlights include Shannon Falls, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and Squamish’s picturesque downtown.
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