MineArchiveGannow Colliery
| Location | Gannow Lane, by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, west Burnley, Lancashire — 53.7890, -2.2770 (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Commodity | Coal |
| Type | Coal |
| Worked | 1856–1941 |
| Operators | Executors of John Hargreaves (1856–1933), Hargreaves Collieries Ltd (1933–1941) |
Overview
The Hargreaves executors' pit on Gannow Lane by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Burnley, begun in 1856, whose 229-metre shaft took years and several lives to sink. It raised coal in its own right until 1878 and then served as the winding shaft for Habergham Colliery, to which it was linked underground, until 1941.
History
The Executors of John Hargreaves, the firm that held most of the Burnley district's mineral leases, began Gannow Colliery in 1856 on Gannow Lane near the canal, and linked it to a coal staithe by a tramroad. Sinking the shaft, 229 metres deep, took many years and several lives were lost in accidents. Coal was first moved underground by an endless chain system driven from the surface, replaced in 1862. Mining from Gannow itself ceased in 1878, but when Habergham Colliery, opened by the same firm on the Padiham road in 1870, was developed it was linked underground to Gannow, and the Gannow shaft went on winding Habergham's coal. The Lists of Mines return the two together: 354 employed at Habergham including Gannow in 1900 and 597 in 1905, and Hargreaves Collieries Ltd, formed in 1933, listed 'Habergham and Gannow' under one manager. Gannow closed in 1941.
Geology
Burnley coalfield, Lower Coal Measures; the shaft reached 229 metres. Seams are not named for Gannow in the sources read; Habergham worked the Arley mine at 218 metres.
Geological setting: Sedimentary Beds and Seams (historical documentary reference)
Workings
A single deep shaft of 229 metres (250 yards), begun 1856. Endless chain haulage from the surface until 1862. Own production ended 1878; thereafter the shaft wound coal from the underground-connected Habergham Colliery. Employment is returned jointly with Habergham: 354 in 1900, 597 in 1905, 455 in 1923 with Higham.
Closure
Mining at Gannow ceased in 1878; the shaft continued winding Habergham's coal until it closed in 1941.
What remains
The site by Gannow Wharf on the canal is built over; the wharf and Gannow Lane bridge survive. No colliery structures are reported.
None reported; Gannow Wharf and the canal bridge of 1883 remain.
Related mines
- Bank Hall Colliery — Both Hargreaves executors' pits in Burnley; Bank Hall was the firm's largest.
- Habergham Colliery — Linked underground; Gannow's shaft wound Habergham's coal from the 1870s to 1941 and the two were returned together.
Nearby mines
- Habergham Colliery — 1.4 km NW
- Bank Hall Colliery — 2.9 km E
- Hapton Valley Colliery — 3.0 km SW
- Towneley Colliery — 4.1 km E
- Moorfield Colliery — 5.5 km W
Straight-line distance, within 15 km. Show on the map.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Begun in 1856; own mining ceased in 1878; the shaft wound Habergham's coal until closure in 1941. 1
- The 229-metre shaft took many years to sink and several lives were lost in accidents. 1
- The Lists of Mines return Habergham's employment including Gannow from 1900, and Hargreaves Collieries Ltd listed Habergham and Gannow together. 2,3
Photographs & further reading
The gazetteer of the coalfield's collieries, including Gannow's sinking, haulage and link to Habergham.
View sourceThe joint employment returns for Habergham and Gannow from 1900.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Burnley Coalfield — Wikipedia — Wikipedia
- (secondary) Habergham Colliery — Durham Mining Museum — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Hargreaves Collieries Ltd. — Durham Mining Museum — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 12 September 2026 · Last researched: 12 September 2026