Sandhole Colliery

Overview

Also known as Bridgewater Colliery, one of the Bridgewater Trustees' Walkden pits, sunk from 1865 and worked until 1962 — the colliery that absorbed the neighbouring, played-out Linnyshaw Colliery's remaining reserves in 1921.

History

The Bridgewater Trustees — administrators of the Manchester Coalfield estate left by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, on his death in 1803 — began sinking two 12-foot-diameter shafts for Sandhole Colliery, also known as Bridgewater Colliery, at Walkden in 1865. Coal winding at the two pits was worked from a single ornamental engine house built between the shafts, housing twin vertical winding engines built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Company in 1866. In 1921, once the neighbouring Linnyshaw Colliery's own reserves were exhausted, Sandhole took over its remaining coal (see Linnyshaw Colliery's own record). Sandhole itself worked on until 1962.

Workings

Two 12-foot-diameter shafts, their coal wound by twin vertical winding engines built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Company in 1866, housed in a single ornamental engine house between the two pits.

Closure

Closed in 1962, having absorbed the neighbouring Linnyshaw Colliery's remaining reserves in 1921 once that pit's own coal was exhausted.

Related mines

• Linnyshaw Colliery — Sandhole Colliery specifically took over Linnyshaw's remaining coal reserves once Linnyshaw's own were exhausted in 1921 — a real operational succession between two named, adjacent Bridgewater Trustees pits, not mere proximity.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• The Bridgewater Trustees began sinking two 12-foot-diameter shafts for Sandhole (Bridgewater) Colliery at Walkden in 1865; coal winding used twin vertical engines built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Company in 1866, housed in a single ornamental engine house between the shafts. ¹
• In 1921, once the neighbouring Linnyshaw Colliery's own reserves were exhausted, Sandhole took over its remaining coal. ²
• Sandhole Colliery closed in 1962. ¹

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (secondary) Sandhole Colliery — Wikipedia — Wikipedia
2. (primary) Sandhole (or Bridgewater) Colliery (1865-1962) — NMRS — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 2 September 2026 · Last researched: 2 September 2026