Winstanley Heapstead

The Winstanley shaft at Chatterley Whitfield colliery has an unusual brick heapstead. The shaft was commenced in 1913 as part of works to improve ventilation after a gas explosion in 1912. The shaft is 5 yards in diameter and 235 yards deep. It was named after the Company's mining engineer Robert Winstanley. The heapstead and winding engine house are constructed entirely of brick; a design adapted from the German 'Malakoff' towers, though Chatterley-Whitfield's version lacks the ornamentation and fortified appearance of those in the Ruhr area. Nevertheless, it is probably unique in British coalmining. It was here that vistors descended into the workings when the museum was open.