Old Lyons Colliery (ruin)

Probably orignially a farm that turned to mining in the early 19th Century.

Old Lyons Colliery was quite extensive with a number of shafts spread out across the moorland and various buildings including an engine house. Mining seems to have ceased by the 20th Century but this report exists from the London Gazette in 1860:

“Notice is hereby given that, the partnership heretofore subsisting between us undersigned, Nicholas Fish the elder and Nicholas Fish the younger, carrying on business as Colliers, at Old Lyons Colliery, within Over Darwen, in the county of Lancaster, under the firm of Nicholas Fish and Son, was this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that all debts due or owing by the said late copartnership are to be received and paid by the said Nicholas Fish the elder, who will in future carry on the said business on his own account. -Dated this 21st day of March 1860.”

It seems that the farm or homestead continued for the first quarter of the 20th Century but it is derelict by the 1927 OS map. There is a curious carved stone nearby reading:

“JRS LEFT MAR 16 1894” and below “1923”,

The date 1923 being in-keeping with the dereliction of the building on the map.

The main building “Old Lyons” today consists of low-walls and stone rubble with a few stone stalls amongst the outbuildings. The colliery is more of an outline but many of the old shafts can be found around the moorland tracks and slight remains where the engine house stood.

There are great views across to Great Hill, Winter Hill and Turton Moor from the area around Old Lyons Colliery.

Created: 14  December  2019  Edited: 29  November  2023