- Discover Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic Site located along British Columbia’s scenic Sea-to-Sky highway between Vancouver and Squamish. Explore the story of Britannia’s mining community through interactive exhibits, historic buildings, and hands-on experiences. Hop aboard the underground train tour and travel through an original mine tunnel, try your hand at gold panning, and experience BOOM!- our award-winning live-action experience inside the historic Mill No. 3 building. This summer, visitors can also experience Giants at Work: Big Jobs, Bigger Machines, featuring the massive Cat® 793C Mining Truck, interactive exhibits, and a new mining truck simulator that puts guests in the operator’s seat.Accessibility Note: Britannia Mine Museum offers wheelchair access to lower-site exhibits and facilities. The Underground Tour includes 48 stairs and is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Some heritage buildings include raised thresholds; however, the Museum remains committed to creating welcoming and accessible experiences for all visitors.
Britannia Mine Museum
Britannia Beach, British Columbia
- Type
- Museum/Gallery
- Address
- 150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach, BC, Canada
Get directions - Hours
- Open hours during Historic Places Days, July 11-25, 2026: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Phone
- 1 800-896-4044
Britannia Mine Museum
Amenities
- Educational Institution
-
Family-Friendly -
Food and Beverages -
Guided Tour -
National Historic Site -
Parking -
Washrooms
Fun Facts
- The first ore at Britannia was discovered in 1888.
- During its peak operation, Britannia Mine was one of the largest copper producers in the British Commonwealth.
- Historic Mill No. 3 was completed in 1923 in less than 18 months — and the building is now over 100 years old.
- Mill No. 3 is one of the last remaining gravity-fed concentrator mills in North America.
- On November 20, 1987, Mill No. 3 was officially designated a National Historic Site of Canada in recognition of its important role in Canada’s mining and industrial history.
- The designation recognized both the scale and engineering of the mill, as well as Britannia’s significance in the development of the Canadian mining industry.
- Britannia Beach was once a fully functioning company town with its own school, hospital, theatre, bowling alley, post office, and recreation hall.
- Before the Sea-to-Sky Highway was built, Britannia Beach was primarily accessible by boat or rail.
- Thousands of people once lived and worked in the Britannia mining community along the steep mountainsides of Howe Sound.
- The Museum site has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Descendants 2, and Okja.
Today, Britannia Mine Museum welcomes visitors from around the world to explore the stories, innovation, and community history connected to one of British Columbia’s most important industrial heritage sites.
Location
150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach, BC, Canada
Get directions
Video
Gallery
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