Annesley Colliery - Urban Exploration in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Annesley Colliery
Where - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.
Visited - 13 April 2007.
The colliery at Annesley was first sunk in 1865 and closed during the 1990's. When it closed it was the oldest working colliery in Nottinghamshire. The entire area was designated as a conservation area in 2000, which meant nothing could be demolished. During 2004 though, some 16 buildings were demolished by the owners, illegally.
I think this is by far one of my favourite explores to date. It's a mess, but an interesting piece of Britain's industrial history.
Headstocks
Outside, and you can't help but be impressed by the mighty structure. It's a shame that the other one was demolished.
Inside - the shaft has been filled with rubble and capped. The lift would've been dual-purpose. Miners would've used a compartment at the top, and coal would've come up in the bottom section.
Up to the top, via a rickety set of steps, and wow, what a view. The huge wheels were made in Tamworth.
Winding gear, found in some nearby non-descript sheds.
Ventilation Shaft
This can be seen on the left of the first picture. Shining the torch down it had no effect, so we had to go down the stairs. About 20 steps down it absolutely stunk of hydrogen sulfide(?) so we decided not to venture further. It was also flooded a bit further in.
Bath house
The village of Annesley is a traditional mining village, with several large terraces for the workers to live. A quick walk and they were at work. Some may have cycled from further afield...
The miners would've changed from their normal clothes and put them in these lockers.
A quick walk to the "dirty" side's lockers and they would've retrieved their work clothes.
After working and putting the dirty clothes back in the dirty lockers, they would've showered. This huge shower room is in quite good condition, with soap still in some dispensers! After showering, the miners would've gone through to the clean side and got changed into their normal clothes.
Back to the bikesheds, and home.
Also
Also inside the bath house were a few offices and nurses block. My photos didn't come out too well 
Electricity Shop
This is the electrician's workshop. We couldn't get into it, so don't really know what it was.
Signs
Some of the various signs that were present.
I'm slightly disappointed with myself. Whilst I got some cool photos inside most buildings, I didn't really get any exterior shots. I may have to revisit...
Your Comments
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Posted 19 April 2007, 13:50 From Keith Gunner
Very brave - is that Ben's rear end I see?
KG 19/4/07
Posted 1 June 2007, 10:30 From Paul Liversidge
I live in Annesley Village. Although I am not from a mining family, I think that it is a great shame that the owners of the Annesley Colliery site illegally demolished a large number of the buildings. It would be a tragedy if they were to be allowed to dispose of the last remaining headstock.
Posted 9 July 2007, 18:10 From steve smith
well done to you those pictures are fab my gran lives in kirkby just down the road and i have to say those pics are superb ace job wish there were more detailed pics of cpllieries
Posted 29 September 2007, 22:20 From Tania Hodgson
I live in Annesley village - if you want more shots, visit soon! The Parish council just had a meeting and Persimmon homes have plans in to develop the site, putting in heritage centre etc, but these buildings will be gone....(oct 2007)
Posted 24 November 2007, 19:00 From davinci
its a cryin shame about annersley but wot about all the uther pits in this country. just remember 84/85 num tryed to keep em all open , wot did you scabs do apart from shutem you reep wot u saw.
Posted 16 February 2008, 20:00 From steve tidswell
my farther was joiner at annesley from 1947 to 1960 nice to see someone still cares
Posted 11 June 2008, 09:00 From David Kitchen
I worked here from 1974 to 1993. Some of the [photos bring back memories. I was a sparky so spent some time on the pit top. It's sad that most of it has now been destroyed and forgotten.
DJK (242)
Posted 6 July 2008, 02:10 From Hemendra Headworth
There still is a chance to save the remaining buildings (Headstock, Electrical House and Bathhouse).
Contact "Annesley Conservation Trust (ACT)" via www.actnow.btik.com or email: act2008@hotmail.co.uk
Posted 24 July 2008, 18:50 From Wendy
My GGGUncle - Hezekiah Soar was a Miner then something called a 'Coal Mine Viewer' then (Under ?) Manager at Annesley between they years 1871- 1880 -1891 , his address is given first as 2 New Annesley then, 1 New Annesley. Is there anyone who would know where these address' would be in the village ? I visited the site today and sadly all but the headstocks and one building are flattened.
Posted 25 August 2008, 11:20 From :) Sal
Excellent pics mate, such a shame that there's just a few buildings still left there.
oh and to davinci, Arthur bloody Scargill wasn't actually interested when my local collieries closed, Shirebrook, Pleasley, Crown Farm, Blidworth, Bilsthorpe, Mansfield, Clipstone, Tibshelf, Stanton Hill, Rainworth, Firbeck, etc, etc, etc. The only time he was actually interested in any collieries closing was when it was in his area. Orgreave springs to mind!!! so please get your facts right on that.
Newstead colliery buildings were also listed if i remember rightly, and they were also demolished illegally.
Cheers, excellent pics and an excellent website.
Posted 1 October 2008, 21:50 From Chris
What a pity that all that history has just been left to rot !
Very interesting pictures and well taken.
Thanks for an insite into a valuable piece of history.
Chris
Posted 16 October 2008, 13:40 From Geoff
Fascinating to see some of the remains of our recent industrial past. My main interest is railways and the famous Annersley Cutters that started from this region to bring vast quatities of coal to the south. The 9F locomotives that ran sometimes at 90 mph down the Great Central with loads of 800 tons from Annersley and no brakes on the train (only the loco), now that takes some courage. But this was a very interesting view of where their loads came from.
Geoff
Posted 5 December 2008, 15:10 From Lithium
Glad you have photos of this mate. The headgear at this place is excellent and its criminal that the place was allowed to be ruined along with all the other pits that were axed by Thatcher's government.
This place should be a monument to the guys like my dad and grandfathers who worked in such devastatingly hellish conditions.
Well done for recording a bit of history dude.
Posted 5 December 2008, 15:10 From Lithium
Awesome shot!
Posted 5 December 2008, 15:10 From Lithium
Classic headgear. The initail "A" is brill.
Posted 10 March 2009, 15:10 From Bob Smith
I hear the local council and perhaps the villagers have voted to fetch that last headgear down...... it'd be a big mistake if they do.....and they will realise one day but quite probably way too late........In my area not a single head gear was left from a dozen or so big collieries and very few original buildings survive either..now the whole district is suppose to be a 'heritage' area for tourism etc but there's bugger all of the many many years worth of coal mining left to show anyone..........they're all whining and wishing that they'd saved something worth seeing now........ but its too damn late.
Posted 23 March 2009, 07:40 From Chris M
A very interesting place. me and a friend took a drive out to this site to have a look for ourselfs. Think some of the buildings are gone now, but still, Its really cool. If you go exploring yourselfs just be warned, it seems a very dodgy area. our advice is don't park your car anywhere near, we came back to find our tyres slashed.
Posted 23 March 2009, 10:30 From howard bellaby
i also worked at annesley its a crying shame to see whats happened to such a great coal mine
Posted 27 March 2009, 22:10 From dave blount
I had the chance to transfer to annesley from bevercotes but was talked out of it.It was the biggest mistake i made.Felt sorry that along with ollerton they were sacrificed to keep thoresby open dispite producing better quality coal.
Posted 6 April 2009, 09:50 From lew
i went on the pit last week cos i live in newstead, and the pics you have taken r nothin like the pit now cos hlf of the buildings you have taken pics of have bein knocked down. the pit is now under new management and bein knocked down. Also the electric building you can get into now. so get some more pics while you can.
Posted 25 April 2009, 12:10 From Lisa Brown
I am one of the 'villagers' in Annesley Village and I would like to set the record straight. Most of the villagers we came across did NOT vote to have Annesley Headstock demolished and, in fact, wanted to keep and preserve the building. We did everything we could to help achieve this including raising nearly 15k towards a restoration project which we have now had to give back and the reason; the appalling incompetence of the local Liberal Democrats.
Posted 6 June 2009, 21:30 From Leigh Preston
Are there any chances to still visit this site - any access , any chance to take a few pictures ?
Posted 7 June 2009, 21:20 From gary roe
answers to
Wendy - Annesley Rows was numberd 1 to 160 in two rows then no1 is Byron Road and 81 is no1 Moseley road.
Steve Tidswell is my cousin Im at detsnpowder@aol.com if he wants to e mail me
Gary Roe
Posted 8 June 2009, 18:50 From gary roe
Liegh- I can see it from my house , we climbed the headstocks earlier this year - be careful.
Posted 4 July 2009, 15:00 From Michael Streets
I would like some old photos of blacksmiths who worked at Annesley Colliery, one in particular is my Great Grandad William Buxton, who worked there from about 1883 to the 1900s. I find this site very good as I too am a ex Cotgrave and Hucknall miner.
Mick Streets
Posted 22 September 2009, 00:00 From stuart
you must be commended on capturing the shadows of a most marvellous and atmospheric place. thank you for sharing your images, great to think that theres more of us out there fascinated by our proud industrial heritage
Posted 15 October 2009, 20:00 From gary roe
the old canteen and baths have been flattened this week , it looks bare now but headstocks still standing.
Posted 16 October 2009, 18:50 From gary roe
Headstock wheels gone now, Link to Tall dudes Flicka for picture
Posted 19 October 2009, 08:50 From Sue Channer
Nice to see you on here Gaz! I work behind the colliery and have been watching the workers on there.
The crane was in place on Friday, so i'm assuming they will start on the demolition this week. Very sad to see it go. Been taking pictures, and hope to video the actual demolition.
Posted 5 January 2010, 11:20 From david
Brings back some good memories, although I was at Bilsthorpe, not Annesley. I left in 1989 and came to South Africa, never saw anything of the destruction at Bilsthorpe. What a great shame that it had to happen, but you'd be amazed at how many of us came out here and still work on the mines. Nowadays it's Platinum for me, the coal mines almost killed me. If anyone has any pics of Bilsthorpe colliery, please pass them onto me at dshortho@angloplat.com Thanks. Dave.
Posted 8 January 2010, 14:10 From Sally Topley
WOW!!! I stumbled upon this site as it seems some Topley ancestors were miners from Annesley....
and we have Hezekiahs and Soars.... so maybe we have a connection, Wendy?
I live in Australia but plan to visit UK in Jun/July 2010 to soak up some old family history sites. Annesley is now on the list........THANKS!
Posted 23 February 2010, 16:20 From I.Francis.
Annesley Headstock/winding gear has gone they pulled them down in January2010.RIP.MINING HISTORY.
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