A possible Wagonway running from Benton Square, at NZ 2991 7010, to NZ 2859 6892. Not marked as a wagonway on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map so it would have been disused by 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Possible Wagonway from Benton Square, NZ 2991 7010 to NZ 2859 6892. Not marked as a wagonway on 1st edition mapping so it would have been disused by 1858.
Site Name
Benton Square, Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
1141
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1141 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429890
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566390
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Wallsend
Description
A Smithy to the south west of Wallsend appears on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map but not on the 2nd edition (1894/5 survey).
SITEASS
The smithy or forge was the workplace of a blacksmith or ironsmith, where iron was worked into useful objects such as weapons, armour in the Middle Ages and locks, hinges, spades and tools, iron horseshoes (machine-made horseshoes were introduced from USA in 1870s), grilles, gates, railings, metal parts for locomotives, coaches, waggons and carts. The blacksmith's raw material was wrought iron in bar form. The smithy comprised a hearth, bellows, anvil and bosh (quenching trough). A small forge had hand-operated bellows, a large industrial forge water-powered bellows, power hammer and shears (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
Smithy to the south west of Wallsend. Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, 1894/5 survey.
Site Name
Wallsend, Smithy
Site Type: Specific
Blacksmiths Workshop
HER Number
1140
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1140 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
1137, 1182, 2089, 2196
DAY1
25
DAY2
23
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429900
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566830
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Wallsend
Description
C Pit at Wallsend may have once used the Wagonway (HER ref. 1137) to the south. It is marked "disused" on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey Map (1894/5 survey). Wallsend Colliery (or Russell's Wallsend Colliery) opened before 1782. There were several pits - Church Pit (HER 1182), A Pit (HER 2089), C or Gas Pit (HER 1139), Edward Pit, F Pit (HER 2196), George Pit (NZ 309 664) and Rising Sun Pit (NZ 298 683 - not opened until 1906). William Russell opened the colliery. Subsequent owners were Losh, Wilson and Bell & Co, then Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Company. There were many explosions at the colliery - one in 1767, another on 4 December 1785 which killed 6 miners, on 9 April 1786, 6 more miners were killed. On 4 October 1790, 7 were killed, on 25 September 1799, 13 were killed, and another 13 on 20 September 1803. An explosion on 23 October 1821 left 52 miners dead, and 102 were killed on 18 June 1835 (a memorial was erected to the dead in 1994). On 19 December 1838, 11 miners were killed, and 5 on 9 August 1925.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
C Pit was sunk in 1786. William Russell opened the colliery. Subsequent owners were Losh, Wilson and Bell & Co, then Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Company.
Site Name
Wallsend Colliery, C Pit (Gas Pit)
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1139
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1139 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; Roy Thompson, 2004, Thunder Underground - Northumberland Mine Disasters 1815-65, pp 60-71; TH Hair, 1844, Views of the Collieries in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429810
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566700
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Wallsend
Description
A Smithy appears on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map on the western edge of Wallsend, but seems to have been deserted or destroyed yby 1894/5.
SITEASS
The smithy or forge was the workplace of a blacksmith or ironsmith, where iron was worked into useful objects such as weapons, armour in the Middle Ages and locks, hinges, spades and tools, iron horseshoes (machine-made horseshoes were introduced from USA in 1870s), grilles, gates, railings, metal parts for locomotives, coaches, waggons and carts. The blacksmith's raw material was wrought iron in bar form. The smithy comprised a hearth, bellows, anvil and bosh (quenching trough). A small forge had hand-operated bellows, a large industrial forge water-powered bellows, power hammer and shears (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
Smithy, on the western edge of Wallsend. Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, 1894/5 survey.
Site Name
Wallsend, Smithy
Site Type: Specific
Blacksmiths Workshop
HER Number
1138
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1138 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
Crossref
1139
DAY1
25
DAY2
22
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429920
EASTING2
3028
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ36NW
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
12
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
566750
NORTHING2
6615
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Wallsend
Description
This wagonway runs from C Pit (HER ref. 1139) at NZ 2992 6675 to an unknown end point. It is marked "Old" on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map so was probably out of use by 1858. The Wagonway from Wallsend Colliery to Wallsend Staiths opened 1788.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Wagonway from C Pit (SMR 1139) NZ 2992 6675 to.. End point unclear on 1st edition OS mapping. Marked "Old" on 1st edn OS mapping so probably out of use by 1858. Wagonway from Wallsend Colliery to Wallsend Staiths opened 1788.
Site Name
Wallsend, Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
1137
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1137 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
C. R. Warn, 1976, Wagonways & Early Railways of Northumberland, 1605-1840 p.49; Brigantia Archaeological Practice, 2010, Land at King's Road South, Wallsend - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429260
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566720
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Wallsend
Description
West Pit was possibly part of Bigges Main Colliery (HER ref. 1133). It is absent from the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey Map (1894/5).
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
West Pit (Coal), possibly part of Bigges Main Colliery (SMR 1133). Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, 1894/5 survey.
Site Name
West Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1136
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1136 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
25
DAY2
14
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428760
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566720
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Wallsend
Description
Deep collieries which opened to the east of Newcastle in the second half of the 18th century included Bigges Main, won in 1784. The colliery was owned and operated by Matthew Bell and William Brown and named after William Bigge, the owner of the Royalty. It was served by a waggonway which became a major access route to the River Tyne at Wallsend for a number of collieries. Casson’s 1801 Plan of the Rivers Tyne and Wear shows this waggonway running from Bigges Main to a staith at Wallsend south of the Wallsend A and B pits. A detailed plan from 1803 (Watson 19/16) shows Bigges Main’s A, B, C and Engine pits located along or on branch lines feeding in to the waggonway which extended as far west as B Pit. In addition to serving Bigges Main, the line had branches to Willington Colliery’s George and William Pits to the north (Willington Colliery was also owned by Bell and Brown), the connection being severed when West Willington Waggonway was opened. The line was also extended to the west in 1808, becoming the feeder line for Kenton and Coxlodge Waggonway to Wallsend and was relayed with cast iron rails and stone sleeper blocks. The riverside terminus of the line at Wallsend is shown on the 1803 map, with just one line running to the staith. A plan of 1811 shows a fan of three, each serving different collieries; that to the south Bigges Main - the line confusingly re-named Willington Waggonway - the middle line Kenton and Coxlodge and the line to the north from Fawdon Colliery. Bigges Main Colliery was flooded in 1857 and closed.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Deep collieries which opened to the east of Newcastle in the second half of the 18th century included Bigges Main, won in 1784. The colliery was owned and operated by Matthew Bell and William Brown and named after William Bigge, the owner of the Royalty. It was served by a waggonway which became a major access route to the River Tyne at Wallsend for a number of collieries. Casson’s 1801 Plan of the Rivers Tyne and Wear shows this waggonway running from Bigges Main to a staith at Wallsend south of the Wallsend A and B pits. A detailed plan from 1803 (Watson 19/16) shows Bigges Main’s A, B, C and Engine pits located along or on branch lines feeding in to the waggonway which extended as far west as B Pit. In addition to serving Bigges Main, the line had branches to Willington Colliery’s George and William Pits to the north (Willington Colliery was also owned by Bell and Brown), the connection being severed when West Willington Waggonway (HER 1130) was opened. The line was also extended to the west in 1808, becoming the feeder line for Kenton and Coxlodge Waggonway (HER 1134) to Wallsend and was relayed with cast iron rails and stone sleeper blocks. The riverside terminus of the line at Wallsend is shown on the 1803 map, with just one line running to the staith. A plan of 1811 shows a fan of three, each serving different collieries; that to the south Bigges Main - the line confusingly re-named Willington Waggonway - the middle line Kenton and Coxlodge and the line to the north from Fawdon Colliery. Bigges Main Colliery was flooded in 1857 and closed.
Site Name
Bigges Main to Wallsend Waggonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
1135
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1135 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89; Alan Williams Archaeology, 2012, Waggonways North of the River Tyne: Tyne and Wear HER Enhancement Project 2011-12; Turnbull, L. 2009 Coals from Newcastle: An Introduction to the Northumberland and Durham Coalfield; Casson 1801: Map of the Rivers Tyne and Wear; North East Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineering: All Watson Papers prefixed NRO/3410/
Watson 19/16: Estate plan of Backworth, Seghill and Burradon and colliery plan of Willington, Wallsend and Bigges Main, showing boreholes and pits and intended new winning in Seghill. Not dated
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2013
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Rachel Grahame
Crossref
2092, 2090, 1078
DAY1
25
DAY2
01
District
Newcastle
Easting
426727
EASTING2
3010
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MAP2
NZ26NW
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
567613
NORTHING2
6554
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Coxlodge
Description
Gosforth and Kenton Wagonway, marked "disused" on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey Map, where it is named Coxlodge Wagonway. Also known as the Kenton & Coxlodge Wagonway. Its southern end was at Coxlodge Staith (HER ref. 2092). From NZ 3165 6507 a branch (HER ref. 2090) ran to the northern staith (HER ref. 2091). The earliest section opened in 1808, the latest in 1813. From Gosforth Engine it followed the line of an earlier line, dating from c.1672 to c.1766. It is notable for the early use of iron rails, with locomotives using rack & pinion traction. There is also an early inclined plane at Haddricks Mill. Its westernmost section to Scotswood may have been the world's first underground railway, called Kitty's Drift from Kenton Colliery, running 3 miles to the Tyne. In the 1890's this line was partly reused as part of the Fawdon Railway (HER ref. 1078).
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Gosforth and Kenton Wagonway. Its southern end was at Coxlodge Staith (HER 2092). From NZ 3165 6507 a branch (HER 2090) ran to the northern staith (SMR 2091). Marked 'disused' on 2nd edn OS mapping, where it is named Coxlodge Wagonway. Also known as the Kenton & Coxlodge Wagonway. It was owned by the Brandlings and had a standard gauge of 4 feet 7.5 inches.
This site was proposed for the Newcastle local list in 2023. The local list description reads:
'The earliest section opened in 1808, the latest in 1813. From Gosforth Engine it followed the line of an earlier line, dating from c.1672 to c.1766. It is notable for the early use of iron rails, with locomotives using rack & pinion traction. There is also an early inclined plane at Haddricks Mill. Its westernmost section to Scotswood may have been the world's first underground railway, called Kitty's Drift from Kenton Colliery, running 3 miles to the Tyne. In the 1890s this line was partly reused as part of the Fawdon Railway (HER 1078).'
Site Name
Coxlodge Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
SITE_STAT
Local List
HER Number
1134
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1134 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
C. R. Warn, 1976, Wagonways & Early Railways of Northumberland, 1605-1840 Proceedings Prehistoric Society, 14,15,49
C.E. Lee, 1949, Tyneside Tramroads of Northumberland 1947-9, Transactions of the Newcomen Society, Proceedings Prehistoric Society, 203-209; W.W. Tomlinson, 1914, The North Eastern Railway - Its Rise and Development, p 22; AD Archaeology, 2019 Coxlodge Waggonway, St Mary’s RC School, Benton, Newcastle: Archaeological Watching Brief
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2024
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
1128
DAY1
25
DAY2
04
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428680
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
566970
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Wallsend
Description
Bigges Main Colliery, served by Bigges Main Wagonway (SMR 1128). Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, 1894/5 survey. Opened in 1784 by Messrs Bells & Brown. Abandoned in 1809 when the High Main seam was exhausted. Re-opened 1836 to work Low Main seam. Closed shortly after flooding in 1857. Around 1782 three pits were sunk around the site and the village of Bigges Main developed taking its name from that of the pit. "A" Pit was situated at NZ 288 670, "B" Pit at NZ 286 668 and "C" Pit further north at NZ 285 677 (SMR 1127). Due to flooding the Bigges Main pits ceased working in 1857.
SITEASS
The site of the village and the "A" and "B" pits has disappeared under a landscaping programme and is now incorporated into a golf course {2}.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Bigges Main Colliery, served by Bigges Main Wagonway (SMR 1128). Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, 1894/5 survey. Opened in 1784 by Messrs Bells & Brown. Abandoned in 1809 when the High Main seam was exhausted. Re-opened 1836 to work Low Main seam. Closed shortly after flooding in 1857. Around 1782 three pits were sunk around the site and the village of Bigges Main developed taking its name from that of the pit. "A" Pit was situated at NZ 288 670, "B" Pit at NZ 286 668 and "C" Pit further north at NZ 285 677 (SMR 1127). Due to flooding the Bigges Main pits ceased working in 1857.
Site Name
Bigges Main Colliery
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1133
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1133 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
C.E. Lee, 1949, Tyneside Tramroads of Northumberland 1947-9, Transactions of the Newcomen Society, p.203
C.R. Warn, 1976, Wagonways & Early Railways of Northumberland, 1605-1840 p.11
L.G. Charlton, 1972, The Bigges Main and the Kenton and Coxlodge Wagonways; Turnbull, L, 2015, A Celebration of our Mining Heritage
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2001
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428540
EASTING2
2856
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
569570
NORTHING2
6991
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
A probable old wagonway from Wagonman's Row, at NZ 2856 6956, to Killingworth Wagonway (HER ref. 1083), at NZ 2856 6991. Probably out of use by 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Probable old wagonway from Wagonman's Row NZ 2856 6956 to Killingworth Wagonway (SMR 1083) at NZ 2856 6991. Probably out of use by 1858.
Site Name
Longbenton, Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
1132
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1132 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89