History

Exploring the region's coalmining heritage

Washington ‘F’ Pit was sunk in 1777. By 1870, ‘F’ Pit had become the largest coal-producing pit at the colliery.

In 1947 it was taken over by the National Coal Board but by the late 1960s, the colliery did not fit in with the National Coal Board’s vision of Super Pits. ‘F’ Pit was closed on 21 June 1968 when the last coals were drawn to the surface.

The winding house and headgear were presented by the National Coal Board to the people of Washington and it remains today as a tribute to the miners and their work.