The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

The following information has been provided under the terms and conditions of access as detailed on GGAT’s website www.ggat.org.uk.  Copyright is reserved on all data supplied by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust. All output resulting from the use of the data must acknowledge the source as follows:-
Derived from information held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust copyright.

The data below is intended to be used for information and research only and is not for use as part of a commercial project.  If you wish to use information derived from material held by the GGAT HER Charitable Trust for publication in printed or multimedia form or to compile resources for commercial use, prior permission must be obtained in writing. For further information or to arrange a visit to the Trust please send an enquiry form http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/english/enquiry_form.html to her@ggat.org.uk.

Old Coal Pits, Blaenavon

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 07826g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Blaenavon
Unitary authority : Torfaen
NGR : SO24400953
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Coal workings
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
Two of the oldest colliery shafts in the Blaenavon Ironworks mineral field, open and in their original condition, possibly dating to the 1790's.

Description :
The scheduled monument, Old Coal Pits (MM293) comprises the remains of two air shafts that are thought by Cadw to date from the 18th century and are considered to be some of the oldest colliery shafts at Blaenavon. Initially they functioned as mining shafts and later, in the 19th century were connected to other underground mines (such as that worked from Cinder Pit), whereby they functioned as air shafts. Their early use is thought to have been driven by a waterwheel with water from a now-dry reservoir located beyond the scheduled area c. 50m to the north-west. The remains comprise stone-lined shafts with the upper part, a later construction, in brick. As noted previously the remains were fully recorded archaeologically when the shafts were capped in 2005 (EDP 2021).

Two of the oldest colliery shafts in the Blaenavon Ironworks mineral field, open and in their original condition. The Old Coal Pits shafts were recorded as existing by 1812 and may date from the 1790s. They worked the Old Coal Seam and by 1829 were connected to the Upper River Row Drift. From 1863 they ventilated the workings of Cinder Pit. In their earlier phase, Old Coal Pits are believed to have been wound by water power, and the dry reservoir lies on the other side of the road to the north-west (outside the scheduled area). Their circular form and pairing suggests that they were driven by waterwheel rather than a water-balance. The shafts are lined in stone within a few feet of the top, above which they are brick, and are understood to be 235ft (71.63m) deep. They are protected by tall brick walls, probably built in the 1940's and can be seen only from a ladder. The scheduled area extends around the outside of the brick walls, in a rectangle roughly 8m x 16m. Of national importance as well as documented early shafts in excellent condition and for their association with Blaenavon Ironworks.

Sources :
Environmental Dimension Partnership , 2021 , Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen: Archaeology and Heritage Assessment
Rouse, D & Oakley, N , 2005 , Old Coal Pits, Garn-Yr-Erew, Blaenavon Watching Brief

Events :
E008397 : Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen (year : 2021)
E005349 : Old Coal Pits, Blaenavon (year : 2005)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 03384g

Compiled date : 08-06-2001


March 29, 2025, 12:34 am - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
Data supplied by in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © GGAT HER Charitable Trust, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025).