Nestled in the middle of England lies one
of the most impressive industrial abandonments in the whole country. It formerly was a gigantic mining colliery
that played a major part in the production of coal in Europe. After eyeing up the site for years, Summer
2019 was the date we finally attempted to infiltrate the stunning mine, and we found
that the complex was so vast that this is our first ever two part documentation. In this episode, join us for part 1 of the
mini-series to watch as we discover what’s left. We begin our explore getting an overview of
the coal mine, and listening to the sounds of dogs barking ahead. Luckily for us, thick woodland surrounds most
of the property, so we could get close to the border without being sighted. We had selected the ideal time of year to
visit the complex, because the Summer season meant that the the forest was dense and concealed. Progressing up to the colliery, everything
appeared to be going smoothly until an event we had never experienced occurred. We decided to take a short break to get some
supplies for the stings, but soon we were in the same spot on our second attempt. Our weird manoeuvres are due to the mine’s
CCTV coverage, with multiple cameras dotted all over the site. Being one of the most complete collieries
in all of Europe, many of it’s buildings are listed as ancient monuments, therefore
they are heavily monitored. Eventually, we found ourselves on the outskirts
of the huge premises. Unique structures surrounded us, overgrown
with the intrusive nature that we are used to by now. Some of the mine’s towering headstocks were
also visible, like a historical beacon over the hilly landscape. These tall remnants would only be found onsite
at a mining colliery and would have been used to exploit the deep underground seams of the
useful material. The reason we desired the access to the power
house first was because it contained some of the most ornate architecture of any building
amidst the property. Situated in one corner of the land, it had
many security measures around it, but we managed to avoid them to find our way inside. Immediately, the decorative tiling was right
before us combined with some enormous machinery. The first section seen here was connected
to the power house but actually didn’t link at all. As a matter of fact, this grand machine was
a steam winding engine that would have run for 12 hours a day on 500 horsepower, meaning
there were stables built beneath the structure to power it. Moving on from the impressive engine, we headed
across the lengthy structure towards the power house on the opposite side. This sizeable room is practically an old-fashioned
turbine hall like at a power station. But there are no turbines. With the house being operational from the
early 1900s, compressor pumps and steam engines were used to generate the electricity for
much of the mine’s tools, like coal cutters. Air would have also been pumped down into
the pits after the compressors had maintained it’s pressure, which would power the conveyor
belts. All of this machinery is original and in great
condition, considering its environment. The floor that once led visitors to see the
historical artefacts from a bygone era is covered in decayed tiling, that has fallen
from the walls, revealing the old brickwork behind it. We exited the scintillating power house to
return to the overgrown territory outside. Our next target was to seek entry into an
underground section of the site, which was one of the only remaining tunnels below ground,
after it had been converted and safety was ensured during the complex’s museum duration. The ground we are moving across currently
is believed to have it’s coal extracted from it as far back as the fourteeth century. Old data show sometime in the 1750s, with
today’s remaining colliery being built in the 1800s. It was one of the most productive mine’s
in the country and broke records on the levels of coal it produced in the 1930s. Through most of the early 20th century’s
decades, the mine suffered during the recession, but managed to bounce back due to the close
proximity of WW2. Following the war, the coal industry was nationalised
therefore the colliery experienced modernisation. In the closing period of the 1970s, a nearby
colliery was decided to be an easier option to work the abandoned mine’s coal. A few years later, the famous premises ceased
production to end over 150 years of mining in the area. All the locals have left of their heritage
is the common sight of the iconic headstocks that look over the region, as well as the
hope that some of the site may be saved in the future because of the structure’s listed
title. Meanwhile, we had concluded that the underground
parts we had wanted to see were sealed up tight, and we had found a way into another
building onsite, a more modern version of the winding house we had seen in the previous
infiltration. After it’s installation in the mid 1960s,
this machine boasted an electric drum that would function on 270 horsepower in comparison
to the 500 of the older, larger winder of the same nature. This shows the focus on efficiency rather
than craft, with the drum here being much less attractive than the prior, but with a
better rate of cost. We had barely covered a quarter of the property,
and the last train we had to catch was imminent. The wasp scenario had costed us dearly, but
we were addicted to the amazing industrial site. It was at this point we planned to return
a few days later. Right beside the smaller winding house was
one of the vulturous headstocks, so with a small amount of time left, we spontaneously
decided to try and ascend it to see what remained to be explored in the colliery. Centrally perched in the site, we had an ideal
view of the various buildings dotted around, seemingly peering out over the untainted tree
domination. There was so much more to be done. Documenting a place as interesting as this
is a surreal feeling, because it is an important part of Britain that has declined to nothing
more than a barren wasteland. From having a status as prominent as anything
in the county, to being reduced to somewhere with no care, shown by the rusting machines
and vandalism, it is these locations we enjoy most in urban exploration. In two weeks time, we will be back on the
property covering more buildings on site to complete our presentation of the immense grounds. Here are some of our shots from the first
day at the mining colliery. You can find more on our Instagram linked
below, as well as images of our explores months before we post them to YouTube. There was so much more to see in the mine
that we spent even longer there than our first day. Join us to find out more about the impressive
piece of industrial dereliction. Thanks for watching part 1 of our mine mini-series! We hope you enjoyed it - should we film more
segmented videos? Drop a like if you liked the content, and
we will see you next time!
