Image Owner: munki @ Shootability.co.uk

Winter Hill has been mined extensively since before historic records begin and evidence of several historic types of mine can be found in the local area, including early 'bell pits', primitive tunnels, extensive 19th century underground workings and more recent open cast mining remains.

Many old mine workings have collapsed and all others have been sealed by the coal authority. Many old pits are visible in a small area in this photograph showing the former site of Holden's Colliery on Winter Hill. The grey areas are the sites of filled in pits and tunnel entrances.

The majority of mines in the Winter Hill area will be found to have been coal mines and sometimes an accompanying clay known as fireclay was extracted for use in tile or brick kilns. However, evidence of the mining of lead or other minerals can be found.

A mine of information on Winter Hill Tunnels and Mines is available from Dave Lane's excellent web site.