| Description | Well preserved and very extensive upland mining landscape on Baildon Moor, on the summit and surrounding slopes of Baildon Hill.
Among other features, the site encompasses more than 200 surviving bellpits (ca. 50 more appear to have been destroyed since the 1840s, primarily on the northern and eastern fringes of the Moor) the majority of these are described as old coal pits on the 1st edn. 6 map. Differences of morphology suggest that these pits may belong to at least four periods; the most obvious distinction is between the groups of relatively small, closely spaced pits (both with and without spoil heaps) which exploited the outcropping Hard and Soft Bed seams to the north, west and east of Baildon Hill, and the larger pits spaced more widely and regularly across the summit of the hill, which may be connected to galleried workings exploiting the two seams within the body of the hill. It is tempting to draw parallels between this latter group and the bellpits at Coleorton in Leicestershire which turned out to be airshafts for very early pillar and stall workings (it should be noted, however, that while the Coleorton pits are an average of 14m apart, the corresponding distance at Baildon is approx. 140m).
There was a mid 19th c. colliery on the site; the below ground remains of the related pit head should be well preserved. The map of the 19th c. workings has yet to be tied in precisely with the OS, but preliminary comparisons suggest that the 19th century galleries do not run under the whole hill. If the widely spaced bellpits relate to earlier deep mining remains, a good percentage of these remains may survive undisturbed.
Other features of interest on the site include a stone lined adit (reported but yet to be accurately located) on the south side of the hill; parallel drainage? channels associated with the bellpits at the NE margin of the site; a sandstone quarry active in the 19th c.; building platforms, flue and chimney base of probable 19th c. date, locally said to have been related to the processing of material from the quarry; the remains of a large tip, which may comprise either colliery spoil or a burnt out coal heap, immediately to the north of the chimney and flue.
The density, variety and condition of remains render this site unique in West Yorkshire. There is an urgent requirement for a programme of detailed landscape survey, and the remains should be considered for some measure of statutory protection. |