Britannia Mine Museum – Explore the History of a Copper Mine
Located between Vancouver and Squamish, the Britannia Mine Museum is a National Historic Site. It’s also and one of the top attractions in the Sea to Sky Region. Once the largest copper mine in the British Empire, the site now offers a unique, hands-on educational experience for all ages. With underground mine tours, interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities and seasonal events, it’s a must-visit destination in British Columbia.
At its peak, Britannia Mine produced up to 7,000 tons of ore daily and supported a community of over 60,000 people. Today, visitors can tour original buildings, explore historic artifacts, and learn about the mine’s history through immersive exhibits. Over 70,000 people visit the museum each year!
For full details about the attraction, visit the britanniaminemuseum.ca website.
Where is Britannia Mine?
The museum’s address is 150 Copper Drive in Britannia Beach. It’s less than an hour’s drive north of Vancouver and 10 minutes south of Squamish.
Things to Do at Britannia Mine Museum
Visitors can expect an interesting mix of exhibits at the museum. They include the following:
- Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre – Start your visit with interactive displays and the educational film Groundbreaking.
- Underground Mine Tour – Ride a mining train into a real tunnel, don a hard hat, and explore the cool, dark underground workings of the mine with a knowledgeable guide.
- BOOM! Multi-Sensory Experience – A live-action, award-winning show in Mill No. 3. The show features lights, sounds, and storytelling that brings mining history to life.
- Mill No. 3 – Explore the towering 20-storey historic mill. It’s an imoressive building and popular filming location featured in shows like The X-Files and The Flash.
- Gold Panning Pavilion – Try your hand at panning for shiny treasures like quartz and pyrite (and maybe even a flake of real gold!).
- Mineral Gallery & Historical Exhibits – Learn about the various minerals extracted from the mine and their real-world uses.
- Company Store & Chatterbox Café – Browse souvenirs or grab a coffee and snack before or after your tour.
Annual Events
Britannia Mine Museum hosts seasonal events that make every visit unique. Popular events include the following:
- Old Town, New Queens Pride Night in June
- Halloween in October
- Photos with Santa in December
- Easter scavenger hunts, Family Day discounts, and more
Fun extras like bubble stations, ring tosses, and cornhole games are sometimes available during special programming days — and they’re all included with general admission. The museum also usually has special events and activities during Spring Break, at Easter, on Canada Day and other times of the year.
Visit britanniaminemuseum.ca for the attraction’s official website.
Fascinating Mining Facts
At its peak, Britannia Mine was the biggest copper mine in the British Empire! It featured more than 200 km of tunnels, reaching depths of 650 meters below sea level.
During its 70 years of operation, the mine produced 1.3 billion pounds of copper. That’s enough to circle the globe eight times in cable form! The mine also produced over 50 million tons of ore as well as significant quantities of gold, silver, zinc, and lead.
Other Information
Visit the official Britannia Mine Museum website for the latest updates on exhibits, tickets, and events.
Nearby attractions worth visiting include Shannon Falls, Porteau Cove, Alice Lake, and the Railway Museum of BC.
Other websites that might be of interest include the following: