The birthplace of coal mining in Leicestershire
The earliest documented form of coal mining in Swannington dates back to around 1204.
The remarkable aspect of Swannington鈥檚 coal mining history is how long it was.
The earliest documented form of mining there dates back to around 1204. It was called Bell pit mining and would have involved digging out the surface coal down as far as about 30 feet.
It was a tough life with few comforts and safety features 鈥� often involving families with young children also involved in the process.
This began a long and proud history of mining in the Leicestershire village - all the way to Swannington becoming a transport hub, along with fame and fortune, when Robert Stephenson鈥檚 railway reached the village in 1833.
蜜芽传媒 Leicester鈥檚 Ben Jackson went for a look around.
Produced by Pete Wardman.
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