Haig Colliery, Coal mining heritage site in Whitehaven, England.
Haig Colliery is a coal mining site in Whitehaven on England's coast with surviving industrial-era structures. The site features two steam engines, engine houses, a power station, and the distinctive pithead gear all positioned high on the cliffs overlooking the water.
Construction took place between 1914 and 1918, and the mine operated until 1986 when it closed as Cumbria's last deep coal pit. This closure marked the end of a long mining heritage at the location.
The name honors a British military figure and reflects how deeply coal mining was woven into the region's identity. Walking around the site, you can sense the pride locals held for this dangerous but essential work.
The structures are visible from the clifftop and surrounding viewpoints, though internal access for visitors is limited. Best to allow time to walk around the perimeter and view the buildings from different angles.
Tunnels extended four miles beneath the seabed, making this one of England's most extensive submarine coal mining operations. This surprisingly deep and far-reaching extraction made the site a technical marvel of its era.
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