English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Clare Henderson
DAY1
05
DAY2
18
District
Newcastle
Easting
21662
EASTING2
2165
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
63908
NORTHING2
6339
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Benwell
Description
A Wagonway, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858. Tomlinson records that the first self-acting plane (used gravity as motive power) in the North of England began working at Benwell in 1798. The waggons descended from the colliery to the staith, a distance of 864 yards, when lowered with a plummet weighing 16.5 cwts, it hauled up the empty waggons. The High Main Seam outcropped in Benwell on the slope towards the River Tyne allowing easy winning and transport of the valuable house coal. By the 1620s, the manor contained one of the greatest collieries in the coalfield. Shallow pits near the river were nearly all worked out by the 1630s and exploitation of the High Main coal moved upslope and required deeper pits. The colliery was wet and in the 1670s was drowned. Introducing newly developed pumping engines to dewater the mines, Montague and Baker re-opened the colliery in the 1700s. A waggonway serving the colliery is mentioned in 1708, but flooding seems to have soon closed it again (Turnbull 2009, 117-119). In 1762, William Brown of Throckley, probably the most successful mining engineer of his day, constructed a powerful pumping engine for Benwell allowing the colliery to re-open. The Beaumont Pit was sunk in the mid 1760s and opened in 1768, working the deep Beaumont Seam.

Surface arrangements at the mine are shown on maps of 1811 and 1826 (Turnbull 2009, 119). An inclined plane ran south towards the River Tyne from Charlotte Pit. A branch line to Aubone Pit ran to the east (route 96) with a longer western branch to Delaval Pit beyond Beaumont Pit. Lines to staiths curved down to the riverside a little way to the east of the incline. The 1826 map extends the view of the waggonway to the north, showing Edward Pit which was served by a line running up from Charlotte Pit across the West Road and through the site of the Roman Fort of Condercum. In 1844, Hair noted that at Benwell: 'The coals are conveyed by inclined planes from the pits to the staiths, where they are put into keels to be carried to the ships lying below Newcastle Bridge and at Shields. The first drop used for lowering the wagons down to the ships and keels was erected here in 1808' (Hair 1844, 27).
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
A Wagonway, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858. Tomlinson records that the first self-acting plane (used gravity as motive power) in the North of England began working at Benwell in 1798. The waggons descended from the colliery to the staith, a distance of 864 yards, when lowered with a plummet weighing 16.5 cwts, it hauled up the empty waggons. The High Main Seam outcropped in Benwell on the slope towards the River Tyne allowing easy winning and transport of the valuable house coal. By the 1620s, the manor contained one of the greatest collieries in the coalfield. Shallow pits near the river were nearly all worked out by the 1630s and exploitation of the High Main coal moved upslope and required deeper pits. The colliery was wet and in the 1670s was drowned. Introducing newly developed pumping engines to dewater the mines, Montague and Baker re-opened the colliery in the 1700s. A waggonway serving the colliery is mentioned in 1708, but flooding seems to have soon closed it again (Turnbull 2009, 117-119). In 1762, William Brown of Throckley, probably the most successful mining engineer of his day, constructed a powerful pumping engine for Benwell allowing the colliery to re-open. The Beaumont Pit was sunk in the mid 1760s and opened in 1768, working the deep Beaumont Seam.

Surface arrangements at the mine are shown on maps of 1811 and 1826 (Turnbull 2009, 119). An inclined plane ran south towards the River Tyne from Charlotte Pit. A branch line to Aubone Pit ran to the east (route 96) with a longer western branch to Delaval Pit beyond Beaumont Pit. Lines to staiths curved down to the riverside a little way to the east of the incline. The 1826 map extends the view of the waggonway to the north, showing Edward Pit which was served by a line running up from Charlotte Pit across the West Road and through the site of the Roman Fort of Condercum. In 1844, Hair noted that at Benwell: 'The coals are conveyed by inclined planes from the pits to the staiths, where they are put into keels to be carried to the ships lying below Newcastle Bridge and at Shields. The first drop used for lowering the wagons down to the ships and keels was erected here in 1808' (Hair 1844, 27).
Site Name
Benwell Waggonways
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
4082
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97; W.W. Tomlinson, 1914, The North Eastern Railway - Its Rise and Development, p 17; Alan Williams Archaeology, Waggonways North of the River Tyne: Tyne and Wear HER Enhancement Project; Hair, T.H. 1844 (republished 1987) A Series of Views of the Collieries in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham, 27; Bell 1847-1851: Maps of the Great Northern Coalfield, Northumberland; Turnbull, L. 2009 Coals from Newcastle: An Introduction to the Northumberland and Durham Coalfield, pp 117-119
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2021
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4083, 4107
DAY1
05
DAY2
29
District
Newcastle
Easting
2177
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6433
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Benwell
Description
Charley Pit (Coal). This is named as the Charlotte Pit on the 2nd edition OS mapping. Opened in April 1766 as part of Benwell Colliery, owned by W. Cochrane Carr Ltd, and from the 1930s by Elswick Coal Company Ltd.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Charley Pit (Coal). This is named as the Charlotte Pit on the 2nd edition OS mapping. Opened in April 1766 as part of Benwell Colliery, owned by W. Cochrane Carr Ltd, and from the 1930s by Elswick Coal Company Ltd.
Site Name
Benwell Colliery, Charley/Charlotte Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4081
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4081 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
2225
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6460
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benwell
Description
This Coal Shaft is marked as ‘Old’ on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
A Coal Shaft, marked as Old on the 1st edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1858.
Site Name
Benwell, Coal Shaft
Site Type: Specific
Coal Workings
HER Number
4080
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4080 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
3945
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
2233
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6461
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benwell
Description
Benwell Turnpike toll house on the Newcastle to Carlisle road is not shown on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey plan, so was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Road Transport Site
SITEDESC
Benwell Turnpike toll house on the Newcastle to Carlisle road. This is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping, so was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Name
Benwell Turnpike Toll House
Site Type: Specific
Toll House
HER Number
4079
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4079 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
3945
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
2192
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6471
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benwell
Description
Throckley Turnpike toll house on the Newcastle to Carlisle road is not shown on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey plan, so was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Road Transport Site
SITEDESC
Throckley Turnpike toll house on the Newcastle to Carlisle road. This is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping, so was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Name
Throckley Turnpike Toll House
Site Type: Specific
Toll House
HER Number
4078
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4078 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Water Supply and Drainage
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
2163
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6484
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benwell
Description
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows the location of Benwell High Reservoir.
Site Type: Broad
Water Storage Site
SITEDESC
Benwell High Reservoir.
Site Name
Benwell High Reservoir
Site Type: Specific
Reservoir
HER Number
4077
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4077 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4098
DAY1
02
DAY2
30
District
Newcastle
Easting
2252
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NW
MONTH1
09
MONTH2
03
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6511
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Fenham
Description
North Elswick Pit (Coal). Part of Elswick Colliery (HER 4098). Opened before 1828. Owned by Elswick Colliery Company and then Elswick Coal Company Ltd. There were 2 other associated pits - Mill Pit and Wortley/Engine Pit, which was sunk in 1805.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
North Elswick Pit (Coal). Part of Elswick Colliery (HER 4098). Opened before 1828. Owned by Elswick Colliery Company and then Elswick Coal Company Ltd. There were 2 other associated pits - Mill Pit and Wortley/Engine Pit, which was sunk in 1805.
Site Name
Elswick Colliery, North Elswick Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
4076
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4076 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2005
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
02
District
Newcastle
Easting
22371
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ26NW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
66201
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Cowgate
Description
Cowgate Windmill (Corn) is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, but is not shown on the 2nd edition plan, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Power Generation Site
SITEDESC
Cowgate Windmill (Corn). This is marked as Disused on the 2nd edition OS mapping, of 1894-5 survey date.
Site Name
Cowgate, Windmill (Corn)
Site Type: Specific
Windmill
HER Number
4075
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4075 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Maritime
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
02
District
Newcastle
Easting
2007
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6367
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Scotswood
Description
This Dock is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan, but is not shown on the 2nd edition plan, indicating that it was probably out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Dock and Harbour Installation
SITEDESC
A Dock. This is not shown on the 2nd edition OS mapping, so was out of use by 1895.
Site Name
Scotswood, Dock
Site Type: Specific
Dock
HER Number
4074
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4074 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
02
District
Newcastle
Easting
2036
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6371
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benwell
Description
It is believed that a substantial steam engine to drain water from nearby mine workings was built downriver of Scotswood Bridge, between Scotswood Road and the river bank, in the mid 1760s. By the 1850s, the engine had gone and the former engine house became living accommodation for miners & labourers and their families.

The engine house is depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. The buildings were described by the Royal
Engineers who carried out the initial survey work as: "a few ordinary dwellinghouses in very bad repair formerly an Old Engine and Coal Pit from which the name originates". Although it was not depicted on the second edition of the Ordnance Survey, local directories continued to record people as living there until, at least 1901. The expansion of the nearby Armstrong Whitworth (later Vickers) factory resulted in Old Engine's demolition.
Site Type: Broad
Machinery
SITEDESC
It is believed that a substantial steam engine to drain water from nearby mine workings was built downriver of Scotswood Bridge, between Scotswood Road and the river bank, in the mid 1760s. By the 1850s, the engine had gone and the former engine house became living accommodation for miners & labourers and their families.

The engine house is depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. The buildings were described by the Royal
Engineers who carried out the initial survey work as: "a few ordinary dwellinghouses in very bad repair formerly an Old Engine and Coal Pit from which the name originates". Although it was not depicted on the second edition of the Ordnance Survey, local directories continued to record people as living there until, at least 1901. The expansion of the nearby Armstrong Whitworth (later Vickers) factory resulted in Old Engine's demolition.
Site Name
Benwell Old Engine
Site Type: Specific
Engine
HER Number
4073
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4073 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1864, 6 inch scale, Northumberland, 97

Notes from I. Farrier - Newcastle Photo Archive
YEAR1
1994