Burnley Mining Museum. Woodend Colliery at Smithson Farm

The excellent Burnley Mining Museum is situated at the old Woodend Colliery. Woodend was sunk C1910-12 as a man riding shaft for the Reedley Colliery which had been sunk in 1879 to the famous Arley Mine at a depth of 210 yards. Reedley was a film star, making a cameo in the Haley Mills classic, Whistle down the wind. Both collieries were nationalized and Reedley became an experimental colliery when the Dandy seam was developed along the American method of mechanized room and pillar mining . sadly Woodend Closed in 1959 and Reedley Followed a year Later. Harry and Carol Johnson took residence of Smithson farm and inherited the old Woodend colliery. Together they set about opening the delightful campsite and tea rooms and built up the museum on site. A group of retired local miners have also contributed their knowledge, experience and time to develop this valuable memorial to the east Lancashire coal industry. A visitor to the town in the 1840's asked what Burnley was famous for, The reply was 'Cotton, Clogs and Coyils'