Thirlwall Colliery first opened in 1834 but had stopped working by the 1860s when it was described as 'old workings' on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1865. However, in the early 20th century the Thirlwall Coal Company Ltd reopened the colliery and operated it from at least 1910. In 1918 the colliery was taken over by the Mickley Coal Company Ltd until its final closure in 1926. The remains of these workings lie between the Newcastle to Carlisle railway and woodland on Thirlwall Common. They include foundations of engine houses, a waggonway, reservoirs, dam, magazine, bridge and coal drops.