Berry Hill

Small collieries around Bracelands - SO 5600 1360

Bracelands Cottage level	Bracelands Cottage level	Bracelands old level	Bracelands old level
Mailscot Colliery	Mailscot Colliery	Mailscot Colliery	Mailscot Colliery
Mailscot Colliery		Bridewell Colliery	Bridewell Colliery

Bixslade

In memory of Steve Davies, an expert photographer and camera enthusiast, who took far better photos than me. Sadly Steve suffered a tragic accident and is no longer with us to explore mines and quarries.

Bixslade Collieries

Union Colliery, Bixslade - SO 6029 1000
Miles Level, Bixslade - SO 6070 0995

Union Colliery was opened before 1841, coal mining having begun in Bixslade around 1809. The shaft connected to Miles Level for ventilation about halfway down. On 4th September 1902 disaster struck when the workings were flooded by a sudden ingress of water. After five days of pumping, rescuers found four men drowned and three others alive. It had closed and the site cleared by 1920 according to the OS map. 'Miles Level' was next to the Stoneworks and was dug in c1810 for 750 yards, a surprising distance at the time. It was latterly used as a water supply for the Stonworks.

Union Pit, 1900	A 'Frightful Accident' in 1854	Union Colliery memorial, Bixslade	Union Colliery memorial, Bixslade
Union Colliery memorial, Bixslade	Union Colliery memorial, Bixslade	Union Colliery memorial, Bixslade

Monument Colliery, Bixslade - SO 6035 0995

Monument Colliery, also known as Hainers Bailey Colliery, was opened in the 1980s close to the site of Union Pit It has a 1'8" gauge tramway and in 2022 is one of the few working collieries in the Forest.

Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade
Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade
Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery tips, Bixslade
Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade	Monument Colliery, Bixslade

Bixslade Deep Level - SO 6017 1005

Bixslade Deep Level or Low Level was opened before 1812 but is shown as an old level on the 1877 map. This was probably the original mine of Mushett and Halford, opened in 1809. The now stolen keystone at the level entrance was dated 1810.

Bixslade Deep Level,1920

Bixslade Deep Level shaft

Bixslade Land Level - SO 5995 1050

Bixslade Land Level or High Level was dated 1826 on its now stolen keystone. It was originally a quite short level of about 125 yards but later extended a considerable distance. It had a ventilation furnace and chimney at the entrance. It was owned by Robert Mushet and was disused by 1878. The shafts ventilated the Deep Level and one is 84 ft deep. There are modern re-workings from the 1970s in the area.

Bixslade Land Level, 1900	Bixslade Land Level, 1920	Bixslade Land Level, 2022
Bixslade Land Level, 2022	Bixslade Land Level shaft, 2022	Bixslade Land Level, c2012
Bixslade Land Level, c2012	Bixslade Land Level, c2012	Bixslade Land Level, c2012

Other Mines in Bixslade

Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade
Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade
Other mines in Bixslade	Other mines in Bixslade

Bixslade Tramroad and Quarries

Bixslade Tramroad - SO 5960 1100 to SO 6083 1002

The Bixslade Tramroad ran from a loading wharf on the Lydney to Cinderford railway, past the stone works at Cannop Pond and on to the quarries at the head of the valley. It opened in 1812 and connected directly to the Severn and Wye Tramroad. When the S&W became a railway in 1874, the tramroad used the wharf instead. It had ceased traffic by 1949 when it was damaged beyond repair by lorry traffic.

Bixslade tramplate at the Stoneworks	Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad
Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad
Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade Tramroad	Bixslade tramroad retaining wall
Bixslade Tramroad, 2005	Bixslade Tramroad, c2012	Bixslade tramroad wagon

Bixslade Quarries - SO 5960 1095

Quarrying at Bixhead dates back to the 14th century and one of the quarries is still being worked, the others closed in the 1960s. Smaller quarries were worked up and down the slade.

Bixslade Quarries, 1920	Bixslade Quarries, 2022	Bixslade Quarries, 2005	Bixslade Quarries, 2005
Bixslade Quarries crane base	Bixslade Quarries crane base	Bixslade Quarries, tramplate	Bixslade Quarries, tramplate
Bixslade Quarries, 2005	Bixslade Quarries, 2005	Bixslade Quarries, 2005	Bixslade Quarries, 2005

Mine Train Quarry - SO 6015 1010

Mine Train Quarry was known as Bixslade Mine Quarry in 1859, the names coming from a prominent seam of iron ore running through it and periodically mined. The quarry sees occasional use.

Mine Train Quarry, Bixslade, 1877

Mine Train Quarry, Bixslade

Mine Train Quarry, Bixslade

Land Level Quarry - SO 5992 1049

One of the smaller disused quarries in Bixslade.

Land Level quarry, Bixslade

Land Level quarry, Bixslade

Phoenix Colliery, Bixslade - SO 6048 1091

Phoenix Colliery, earlier Newroad Coal Level No 2, is now connected to Hopewell Colliery, the lower exit being originally Newroad Coal Level No 1. It may have opened as early as 1821 but it first shows up on the 1901 map. It became Phoenix Colliery when it reopened (again) in 1976. Here are two sets of photos 15 years apart, 2007 and 2022, not a lot changes.

January 2022

Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade
Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade
Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade

July 2005

Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade
Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade
Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade	Phoenix Colliery, Near Bixslade

Clearwell

Old Ham Iron Mine, Clearwell - SO 5785 0900

This was my first serious underground exploration, in June 1974. Doug McLean kindly showed us around the mine particularly to show me the tramroad they'd discovered in one of the further reaches of the mine.

Old Ham Iron Mine entrance	Old Ham Iron Mine roof formation	Old Ham Iron Mine tramway	Old Ham Iron Mine tramway
Old Ham Iron Mine tramway	Old Ham Mine Iron Mine workings	Old Ham Iron Mine tramplate	Old Ham Iron Mine mudpool
Iron Mine frozen waterfall	Old Ham Mine Iron Mine tramway	Old Ham Iron Mine stalagmite

Hopewell and Howlerslade

Hopewell Colliery, the tourist side - SO 6030 1140

Hopewell Colliery appears to have opened in 1823 using the furnace adit, now the exit for the underground tours. It was the site of Cannop Foundry, Newroad Level No 1, Vallets Level and opposite the Foundry Level. Underground tours started in 1997 along with the opening of a small museum and a very good cafe. The entrance to the tourist part of the mine is by a modern purpose-built adit and well worth a visit.

Looking down the entrance adit	Halfway down	Back up to the surface	Back up to the surface
The foot of the entrance adit	The foot of the entrance adit	The foot of the entrance adit
Coal seam and chute	Coal seam and chute, 2017	Coal seam and chute, 2005	The roadway junction
The roadway junction	The roadway junction	The roadway junction	The roadway junction
The roadway junction	The roadway junction	The roadway junction	The roadway junction
The roadway out	The roadway out	The roadway out	The roadway out
Furnace ventilation system	Frame of a dram
Hopewell Colliery exit	The exit in 2017	The exit in 2005	The exit in 2005

Hopwell Colliery, the serious side - SO 6025 1140

During the Winter months, coal is still mined from the working adit, depending on demand. Hopewell is connected with Phoenix underground and has a second exit not far from the tourist exit.

Down to the working adit	The adit entrance	The stop block at the top	The wagon tippler
The screens and bins	The screens and bins
The emergency exit	The emergency exit	The emergency exit	The emergency exit

Howlerslade Tramroad - SO 6040 1145

Howlerslade Tramroad ran up the Howlerslade Valley from Speech House Road Station to Oak Quarry, passing Cannop Foundry, Newroad Level, Vallets Level, Vallets Deep Coalpit, and Beech Quarry.

Howlerslade Tramroad

Howlerslade Tramroad

Howlerslade Tramroad

Mierystock to Lydbrook

The Severn & Wye Railway from Serridge Junction to Lydbrook

The Severn & Wye Railway branch from Serridge Junction to Lydbrook Junction follows the route of its predecessor, the Bishopswood Tramroad, down the Lydbrook valley and forms an excellent walking trail today. It was opened in 1874 to goods and 1875 to passengers, the passenger service finishing in 1929 and goods to Lydbrook in 1951 and Mierystock in 1959.

Mierystock - SO 6150 1470

The North portal was buried some years ago but was excavated in 2008.

Mierystock bridge	Mierystock bridge
Mierystock tunnel South portal	Mierystock tunnel South portal	Mierystock Tunnel South portal	Mierystock Tunnel South portal
Mierystock tunnel North portal	Mierystock tunnel North portal	Mierystock tunnel '1874' datestone	The buried North portal in 2007
Mierystock sidings	Mierystock sidings	Mierystock sidings	Mierystock sidings

The Arthur & Edward (Waterloo) Colliery - SO 6090 1505

with the 'creeper' to Mierystock sidings and the original 1850s incline to the Severn & Wye tramroad.

Waterloo Colliery, 1877	Waterloo Colliery, 1920	The Arthur & Edward Colliery	Mierystock screens, 1958, © Photo courtesy of Historic England
The Arthur & Edward Colliery	The Colliery offices and canteen	The Arthur & Edward Colliery	The 'creeper' at the colliery
Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline	Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline	Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline	Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline
Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline	Waterloo Colliery 'creeper' incline	The 'creeper' at Mierystock	The 'creeper' at Mierystock
The 'creeper' at Mierystock	The 1850s engine house	The 1850s incline	'West Glos Power Co' metal pylon

The Severn & Wye Tramroad at Mierystock

The Severn & Wye Tramroad followed the contours, looping around Mierystock hill above Arthur & Edward (Waterloo) Colliery to meet the railway at Brierley Quarry.

Brierley Quarry area, 1881	The Severn & Wye Tramroad	The Severn & Wye Tramroad
The Severn & Wye Tramroad	A quarry on the S & W Tramroad	A quarry on the S & W Tramroad

Brierley Quarry and Waterloo Mill - SO 6150 1517

The S&W tramroad and railway meet at Brierley. The tramroad performed a convoluted loop to cross the Lyd Brook but the railway ploughed straight through the middle on a high embankment. The quarry had a siding, Brierley Sidings, and probably tramroad access too.

Brierley sidings trackbed	Brierley S tramroad bridge	Brierley S tramroad bridge	Brierley S tramroad bridge
The tramroad loop at Brierley	The tramroad loop at Brierley	The tramroad loop at Brierley
Brierley N tramroad bridge	Brierley N tramroad bridge	Waterloo Mill race	Waterloo Mill dam

Pluds Colliery and Vicarage Lane - SO 6100 1523

Plud's Colliery tramway bridge	Plud's Colliery tramway bridge	Plud's Colliery tramway bridge	Plud's Colliery sidings and screens
Plud's Colliery sidings and screens	Plud's Colliery tramway	Plud's Colliery site
S&WR bridge over Vicarage Lane	S&WR bridge over Vicarage Lane	S&WR bridge over Vicarage Lane	S&W Tramroad at Vicarage Lane

Upper Lydbrook and Coles Rock tunnel - SO 6017 1589

Upper Lydbrook retaining wall	Lydbrook Deep Colliery sidings	Lydbrook Deep Colliery sidings	Upper Lydbrook trackbed
GWR boundary post	Coles Rock retaining wall	Coles Rock tunnel	Coles Rock tunnel
Coles Rock tunnel	Coles Rock tunnel	Coles Rock tunnel	Coles Rock tunnel
Coles Rock tunnel	Coles Rock trackbed	Coles Rock trackbed	Coles Rock tramroad
Hillview House access arch		Brains Iron Mine, Lydbrook

Lower Lydbrook - SO 5970 1655

Lower Lydbrook was the home of iron, wire, tinplate and cable works, plus smal iron and coal mines, strung out along the railway to Lydbrook Junction

Lower Lydbrook Tinplate Works	Lower Lydbrook Tinplate Works	Lower Lydbrook Tinplate Works	Lower Lydbrook Tinplate Works
Lower Lydbrook Ironworks site	Lower Lydbrook Ironworks site		Tramroad at Lower Lydbrook
Tramroad at Lower Lydbrook	Tramroad at Lower Lydbrook	Tramroad at Lower Lydbrook	Tramroad at Lower Lydbrook
Lower Lydbrook Station	Lydbrook viaduct abutments	Lydbrook viaduct abutments

The Bishopswood Tramroad - SO 6008 1689

The Bishopswood Tramroad starts at the top of the incline at Lydbrook and gently contoured down to Bishopswood and Cinderhill wharves. It can be followed from the incline to Waterscross Farm after which it is difficult to trace. It opened in 1810 to avoid the Lydbrook incline to the Wye but it struggled to attract traffic. The Bishopswood forge / ironworks closed in 1817 removing one of the few industries on route. It was cut short of the river wharves in c1830 and probably closed soon after. Scotts tramroad from Moorwood level crossed it using a 'flying rail' at Ventions Lane from 1820 to c1823.

Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad
Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad
Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad
Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad	Bishopswood Tramroad
Waterscross Farm, Lydbrook	Waterscross Farm, Lydbrook	Waterscross Farm, Lydbrook	Waterscross Farm, Lydbrook

Lydbrook tunnel and cable works - SO 5875 1755

GWR Monmouth to Ross railway	GWR Monmouth to Ross railway	Stowfield Viaduct, Lydbrook	Lydbrook Tunnel pillbox
Lydbrook Tunnel Southern portal	Lydbrook Tunnel and pillbox	Lydbrook Cable Works	Lydbrook Cable Works
Lydbrook Cable Works	Lydbrook Cable Works	Lydbrook Cable Works	Lydbrook Cable Works

Coppet Hill limekiln - SO 5847 1797

The 19th century Coppet Hill limekiln was repaired in 2009 as part of the Wye Valley AONB 'Overlooking the Wye' Project.

Coppet Hill limekiln

Coppet Hill limekiln

Coppet Hill limekiln

Coppet Hill limekiln

Symonds Yat

Symonds Yat smelting works below New Weir Forge - SO 5585 1555

Symonds Yat smelting works	Symonds Yat smelting works	Symonds Yat smelting works
Symonds Yat smelting works	Symonds Yat smelting works

Wimberry and Cannop

Wimberry Slade and Cannop - SO 6030 1220

Wimberry Tramroad	Wimberry Tramroad	Wimberry Tramroad	Wimberry Tramroad
Wimberry Tramroad	Wimberry Tramroad	Wimberry Tramroad loading bank
Buckholt (or Hamblins) Colliery	Cannop Colliery	Cannop Colliery

New Thatch Colliery and a small level - SO 6011 1311

This little level is only shown on the 1960 OS map as a 'disused drift'.

New Thatch Colliery tips

Map of the level, 1960

Level East of New Thatch

Level East of New Thatch

Speedwell Collieries - SO 5845 1270

A whole host of shafts and levels between Five Acres and Edge End. They were working prior to 1880, but were frequently shown as 'disused' on maps up to the 1960s.

Speedwell Colliery

Speedwell Colliery

Sallowvallets watercourses

Acknowledgments, sources and further reading.

Thanks for addition information and photos to :- Steven Carter, Ian Castledine, John Wood, Hopewell Colliery, Phil Conway-Jones (oldindustrial.wordpress.com), Doug McLean, Surancog, Mark Turner (Onecall Cabs), John Wood.
'The Industrial Heriitage of Bixhead and Bixslade in the Forest of Dean' by Ian Standing, 1987.