Penrhos Colliery, Brymbo
Penrhos or Brymbo Colliery dates from the 18th Century. It was established by John “Iron Mad” Wilkinson who along with his brother William owned the nearby Brymbo Ironworks.
In 1792 Wilkinson purchased Brymbo Hall and its 500-acre estate from the Assheton-Smith family for the sum of £14,000, some of which may have been lent by Boulton and Watt.
The estate was rich in coal and ironstone deposits, several small coal pits having existed even before Wilkinson purchased the estate.
Penrhos Engine house was constructed shortly afterwards and is believed to have housed a Boulton and Watt beam engine.
Colliery coal was believed to have been used at Wilkinson’s Ironworks and the local lead smelter that refined ore from lead mines in the area.
Steam for the engine was created in an adjacent boiler house which stood on the north side of the site.
The engine continued in use until circa 1840 when the engine house was converted into a residence. At this time two domestic brick chimneys were inserted and remain visible today.
The remains of a building adjacent to the engine house is believed to have housed a pig stye and bread oven.
The building, believed to be the oldest mine engine house in Wales, remains are of national importance for its potential to enhance knowledge of mining in Wales. The site retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. It is a grade II* listed structure.
Read MoreIn 1792 Wilkinson purchased Brymbo Hall and its 500-acre estate from the Assheton-Smith family for the sum of £14,000, some of which may have been lent by Boulton and Watt.
The estate was rich in coal and ironstone deposits, several small coal pits having existed even before Wilkinson purchased the estate.
Penrhos Engine house was constructed shortly afterwards and is believed to have housed a Boulton and Watt beam engine.
Colliery coal was believed to have been used at Wilkinson’s Ironworks and the local lead smelter that refined ore from lead mines in the area.
Steam for the engine was created in an adjacent boiler house which stood on the north side of the site.
The engine continued in use until circa 1840 when the engine house was converted into a residence. At this time two domestic brick chimneys were inserted and remain visible today.
The remains of a building adjacent to the engine house is believed to have housed a pig stye and bread oven.
The building, believed to be the oldest mine engine house in Wales, remains are of national importance for its potential to enhance knowledge of mining in Wales. The site retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. It is a grade II* listed structure.
