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.
Electricity Shop
This is the electrician’s workshop.
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…
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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.
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
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)
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.
my farther was joiner at annesley from 1947 to 1960 nice to see someone still cares
There still is a chance to save the remaining buildings (Headstock, Electrical House and Bathhouse).
Contact “Annesley Conservation Trust (ACT)” via http://www.actnow.btik.com or email: act2008@hotmail.co.uk
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.
Hi Wendy, can you expand on Hezekiah please? He was my gggrandfather and i am a decendent of Walter Soars his 2nd eldest son. thanks
with regards to to the address of 1 , 2 new annesley , its possible to be 1,2 moseley road or 1,2 byron road .
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.
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
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.
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.
i also worked at annesley its a crying shame to see whats happened to such a great coal mine
looking at the photos of the old pit brought back happy memories of the time i spent working at the pit
I am interested to know if you have always lived there as I was fostered by a Mr and Mrs Prince in the war at 42 Newstead Colliery, Christine
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.
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.
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.