NEHL - Though coal mining has formed the spine of industry in this area since at least the 14th century, we know Axwell Park Colliery has been operating since 1839. It is first mentioned in newspapers in the January of this year when subscriptions were collected for the orphan children of Mr Joseph Millie, meaning it could have actually operated from 1838. The working however is not marked on the first Ordnance Survey published in 1862, meaning it could have actually operated in a different area. A working is shown on here immediately south west labelled as "old", which could indicate the site.

It is however shown on the 1890s maps, when between 200-400 people worked here at any one time. By this time the Derwent Valley Railway was constructed which connected the working to others in the area. The colliery featured both a shaft and a drift connected by an internal tramway. From the main processing building, coal was dropped into sidings for onward transport.

The working was a big factor in the development of Swalwell. Lots of cottages and terraces developed to the east of the colliery which have unfortunately all been demolished.

The pit continued into nationalisation days, but only for 7 years. It closed down in 1954. By this time it was known as "the friendly pit", and a Newcastle Journal piece cites coal being mined here for 600 years, originally by monks. It also states "The Axwell Colliery was the oldest working pit in the county, and recently men found wooden shovels and a pump in old workings". This not true about the ground level complex, but may certainly be underground given the prevalence of Elizabethan workings in nearby Dunston.

Though much of the site is now an industrial estate, there are at least 3 buildings which were part of the colliery and brick works. They can be seen on the modern aerial shot below.