Report - Daw Mill Colliery (Remains of), Warwickshire – December 2020

[MotionlessMike]

Work at the Daw Mill site began in the mid-50s as a natural development of the nearby Kingsbury and Dexter Collieries. The first shaft was sunk in 1957 at a depth of 558m with a second in 1968 at a similar depth. Eventually a drift was also driven to link up with the underground conveyors and increase capacity to more than 1.75 million tonnes. Daw Mill eventually closed in 2013 after an underground fire which was described as the ‘worst underground blaze in Britain for 30 years’.

Despite the fact the site is now pretty much completely flattened I still always fancied a wander around here. It was a nice relaxed solo visit on a wet December morning – my Dad tried to get a job at Daw Mill after being made redundant at Donisthorpe Colliery in 1990, but I couldn’t convince him to join me for a look!

Coalz

Service tunnels

This soggy abandoned house at the edge of the site - presumably used by the colliery as either office space or accommodation for the pit manager - actually pre-dates the Colliery by 30+ years and was originally a private residence called 'Peggs Hill'

Mega derped

But held a nice stash of old paperwork

Next, more conveyors...

Hoppers

Unsure where this one lead, but would like to know. Looked interesting!

And that was about it

Thanks for looking.​

 

[Speed]

Still trying to find a spot in the house for half a pit wheel

 

[MotionlessMike]

Still trying to find a spot in the house for half a pit wheel

Haha, would look good plonked in my front garden tbh!

 

[westernsultan]

Haha, would look good plonked in my front garden tbh!

May need a big garden

 

[MotionlessMike]

May need a big garden

Plenty of room, fuck all the flowers and plants out the way

Nice pictures mate

Thanks man!

 

[dave]

Great report and some cracking pics too nicely lit.

 

[Gsxrwayne]

Some of my work colleagues will like to see these as many have been down there to install our machines. Great pictures as always mate .

 

[MotionlessMike]

Some of my work colleagues will like to see these as many have been down there to install our machines. Great pictures as always mate .

Makes me wonder if that stuff you sent me pictures of is still underground?

Can always go back with you sometime, add it to the ever expanding list of stuff to do haha

 

[Gsxrwayne]

Yes I'm up for that

 

[jtza]

add it to the ever expanding list of stuff to do haha

I felt that...

 

[mingerocket]

Nice one, not seen this one before

 

[Durhamexplorerz]

awesome photos and find, ill be adding this to our list

 

[Down and beyond]

Interesting mate thanks for posting ! I think that’s going on my list

 

[Calamity Jane]

Nice shots of the hopper. The service tunnel looks really interesting. You've lite it so well. Cracking report, liked it.

 

[waveydave]

Excellent stuff sir, thought they'd filled in those tunnels. Back on my to do list