23 amazing pictures of the pits of Sunderland, Seaham and elsewhere in County which gave jobs to the people of Wearside

By Chris Cordner

Digital specialist in nostalgia

Published 5th Mar 2024, 16:07 BST

The places which once employed Durham's thousands of miners

The mines of the Durham Coalfield once employed 165,000 people at their height.

But the whole of the industry in the area finally disappeared 30 years ago and the Sunderland Echo is today taking a look at 23 collieries which once provided jobs.

From Wearmouth to Wheatley Hill and Silksworth to Seaham, we have them all.

Watch out for more retro tributes to the pits we once relied on - and the people who worked there.

Pits which once dominated our skyline.

1. Coalfield memories galore

Pits which once dominated our skyline. | se

Here is Blackhall Colliery as it looked on a winter's day in 1947.
Its last days were in 1981.

2. Back in time at Blackhall

Here is Blackhall Colliery as it looked on a winter's day in 1947. Its last days were in 1981. | se

Dorothea pit at Newbottle in a 1955 photo. It closed in 1956.

3. A day at Dorothea

Dorothea pit at Newbottle in a 1955 photo. It closed in 1956. | se

An undated view of Lambton Colliery which was no more after February 1965.

4. Lambton Colliery

An undated view of Lambton Colliery which was no more after February 1965. | se

Durham Sunderland Easington Colliery Nostalgia People Jobs

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.