The birthplace of coal mining in Leicestershire

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The remarkable aspect of Swannington’s 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 – 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’s railway reached the village in 1833. BBC Leicester’s Ben Jackson went for a look around. Produced by Pete Wardman. If you want to know as soon as a new episode is available, make sure you subscribe to Secret Leicestershire on BBC Sounds and have push notifications turned on.