Barnsley Main Colliery is a historic site with a tragic past. However, a group of local volunteers are working hard to breathe new life into this permanent reminder of Barnsley’s coal mining past. This guide shares everything you need to know about visiting Barnsley Main Colliery.
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About Barnsley Main Colliery
Before we delve into how to find Barnsley Main Colliery, here is a quick introduction to this fascinating historic site.
What you need to know
Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Where to park: Barnsley Main Colliery has a car park (S70 3ET) but it is only open on limited days or during special events. The Abbey Lane car park close to Monk Bretton Priory is only a short distance away.
Walk time: 15-20 minutes from Monk Bretton Priory.
Terrain: Easy. Paved roads to the site and paths around the colliery.
When did Barnsley Main Colliery close?
Barnsley Main Colliery closed in 1966. However, in the 1970s shaft number two was re-opened and men would descend, then bring the coal to the surface at Barrow Colliery. The shaft finally ceased all mining use in 1991.
Oaks Colliery Explosion
Barnsley Main Colliery is known for a horrendous tragedy at the site. On 12th December 1866, an explosion ripped through the colliery, known as Oaks Colliery at the time, killing 361 people.
The Oaks Colliery explosion is considered the worst mining accident in England and the second worst in the UK after the Senghenydd Colliery disaster in Wales.
What caused the Oaks Colliery explosion?
The Oaks Colliery explosion was caused by a phenomenon known as firedamp. Firedamp is the accumulation of flammable gases found in coalmines. The gases gather in pockets underground and were known to cause fainting amongst miners who inhaled them.
Oaks Colliery was considered one of the most dangerous pits in South Yorkshire at the time of the disaster. There had been many miners strikes due to the unsafe working conditions. But sadly, many miners could not afford to remain on strike and returned to working shortly before disaster struck.
You can learn more about the Oaks Colliery explosion and the men who lost their lives in this fascinating book about the disaster.
Barnsley Main Colliery Disaster 1947
Sadly, the Oaks Colliery explosion wasn’t the only tragedy on the site. In May 1947, another explosion ripped through one of the mines. Fortunately, this explosion wasn’t as severe as the previous incident. However, a further nine men lost their lives in this disaster.
Important Information
As a site of so much tragedy, it is important to be respectful when visiting Barnsley Main Colliery. It is hard to comprehend just how many people died at this site when you see how peaceful it looks today.
However, Barnsley Main Heritage Group are working hard to preserve the history of the site, while making it a beautiful place for visitors.
I was fortunate enough to chat to one of the volunteers when we visited the colliery. She gave me a detailed history of the site as well as the tragedies. While she was talking, she had tears in her eyes.
Barnsley Main Colliery acts as a constant reminder of the horrific events, particularly for local residents who lost their ancestors. However, Barnsley Main Heritage Group want to transform the area into a place that can be enjoyed, and a place where the memories of the victims can be kept alive.
The site will always hold painful memories for many, but the ongoing work to the site is happening to draw more visitors in. It will be a place to create many happy memories for families of the future.
How to find Barnsley Main Colliery
We found the most convenient location to park when visiting Barnsley Main Colliery was Abbey Lane car park (S71 5QE). The car park is a 15-minute walk from the site of the colliery.
From the car park, turn left onto Grange Lane. You will pass The Mill of the Black Monks on your right. You may want to cross the road at the island here.
Continue along Grange Lane and cross the bridge over the River Dearne. Just after the river you will find a path which cuts across the corner. Take this path and join onto Tank Row.
Follow Tank Row uphill. Be sure to walk on the left side of the road where the footpath is. At the end of Tank Row, you will meet Oaks Road. Turn right onto Oaks Road and follow it for a short walk until Barnsley Main Colliery is visible on the right side of the road.
Things to do at Barnsley Main Colliery
Here are the best things to do at Barnsley Main Colliery on your visit.
Admire the building
Little of the once sprawling site remains today. The winding and engine house stand alone, with just the old train lines as a reminder of how bustling Barnsley Main Colliery would once have been.
This unique building is easy to spot. The remnants of the colliery are a unique sight today, despite being just one of many a few decades ago.
It is not possible to enter the building as it is unsafe to do so. But you can walk around the outside and appreciate the structure. Much of it has now been covered in graffiti, which adds to the urban and industrial feel of the site.
Enjoy the walks
Significant landscaping work has been done around Barnsley Main Colliery to encourage gentle walks around the site. On your visit, make the most of the volunteers’ hard work by going for a stroll and admiring the lovely green spaces.
Learn about the history
With such a tragic story, it is important to dedicate some time to learning about the history of the site on your visit. You will find information boards that share the colliery history for you to read.
Also, be sure to chat to the volunteers if they are around on your visit. Many have personal connections to the site and can share the true impact, both good and bad, that Barnsley Main Colliery had on the local community. They might also give you a sneak peek of some of their future plans!
Visit the museum
If you want to learn even more about Barnsley Main Colliery, time your visit with the opening of the pop-up museum. The museum is open between Easter and October half term and gives an even greater insight into what life was like for colliers and the importance of this site.
When to visit
The pretty walks and picnic spaces surrounding Barnsley Main Colliery make it the ideal place to visit on a sunny spring or summer day.
On various days throughout the year volunteers open a pop-up museum, so you may want to time your visit with their opening hours. Keep an eye on this Facebook page to see when their next open day is taking place.
Why visit Barnsley Main Colliery?
Barnsley Main Colliery is a fascinating site. It is a stark reminder of the challenging life many local men and boys had working in the pits. Many of whom paid for it with their lives thanks to the dangerous conditions.
However, Barnsley Main Colliery is also a symbol of the future. The regeneration efforts to transform the site into a tranquil place for visitors to enjoy is a testament to the resilience of the community. Their efforts to reimagine the site, while still remembering those that lost their lives tragically here makes it a unique spot that you should visit.
Discover more of South Yorkshire
If you want to discover more hidden gems in South Yorkshire, check out these other Hidden Yorkshire guides in the region:
Will you visit Barnsley Main Colliery?
So, here is your guide to visiting Barnsley Main Colliery. Will you be visiting this historic site? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to discover more incredible Hidden Yorkshire locations, see here for the complete series.
And if you’re itching for even more Yorkshire adventures, check out the Ultimate Yorkshire Bucket List. This comprehensive guide contains over 100 must-see Yorkshire sights, plus handy checklists to keep track of your adventures!
Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
Yorkshire truly has so much amazing history!
It does, doesn’t it? It is such a fascinating place to live and I love discovering hidden parts of the history!
Going for the walks must be so pleasant there.
Barnsley Main Colliery is a lovely place for a walk. It has such a peaceful feeling despite the tragic past.
Such a tragic story, although good to hear about the volunteering work at the place.
It’s a heart-breaking story, isn’t it? But the volunteers are doing a brilliant job of keeping the memory of the victims alive.
It’s such a shame that this tragedy occurred and so many lives were lost. But glad that they’re working hard to preserve the history of the site.
It was such a horrific tragedy but, like you, I’m really pleased that they are preserving the history and maintaining the site as somewhere people can enjoy today.
As a real history-lover, I want to emphasise that it’s so important to keep the memory of past generations alive (even if it’s painful and tragic memories). I want to say a great thank you to all those volunteers who are making that amazing job. And surely thanks to the author for such a great read 🙂
I completely agree! We should always honour the history of places, even when it is difficult. The volunteers are doing a wonderful job of preserving the site and keeping the history alive, while turning it into a place that a new generation can enjoy. Thanks so much for reading!
I absolutely love historic sites and the stories they tell. I’m happy to hear that people are doing their best to save the Barnsley Main Colliery for generations to come.
Barnsley Main Colliery is such a fascinating place. It was so interesting to learn about the history from the volunteers who are clearly so passionate about preserving it. I’m so glad it will continue to live on!
This sounds like such a heart-breaking story. It’s great to see the work that’s being done to keep the memories of those who lost their lives in the mining incidents alive.
Isn’t it tragic? It is a brilliant place to learn about the history though and to understand more about the dangerous conditions these people were working in. I didn’t know anything about the accident before I visited.
I love learning about places in Yorkshire from your blog! Barnsley Main Colliery has such a fascinating and tragic history that’s important to learn about and remember. thanks for this great post!
Thanks so much Tess 🥰 Visiting Barnsley Main Colliery was such an eye-opening experience into the dangerous working conditions and tragic incidents the workers experience. It was heart-breaking but so insightful. I’m glad this place has been preserved to educate future generations too!
That explosion was such a sad and tragic incident. So many lives lost! But good that they are restoring the Barnsley Main Colliery site to pay tribute in honor of them and to educate others.
Isn’t it heartbreaking? 💔 But I think it is wonderful that this place is still standing to preserve their memories. I would never have known about the explosion otherwise.
I hadn’t heard of this hidden gem in Barnsley. My partner is from Leeds, so I spend some time in Yorkshire. We will check out this place. I love discovering historic sites.
Barnsley Main COlliery is a little known gem but it is such an interesting place to visit. I hope you have a chance to stop by when you’re in the area!