Penallta Colliery Pit-top Offices

Location

Situated between Ystrad Mynach and Gelligaer, on the east side of Penalltau Road. The Pit Top Offices are to the east of the baths building.

History

Penallta Colliery was built between 1905 and 1909, at the height of the South Wales coal trade. It was established by the Powell Dyffryn Steam Coal Company, the region’s largest mining company, on the most modern principles as the ‘super-pit’ of its day. The surface buildings were laid out in matching architectural style in a spacious, artificially levelled area, on a rectilinear plan giving the ideal spatial arrangement of activities. The design of the enormous engine hall in particular was an important innovation copied at many later collieries. The colliery became one of the largest in Wales with 3,200 miners and a high output of top-quality steam coal. By 1935, Penallta held the European record for coal produced in a single week.

Exterior

Pit Top Offices built to provide ‘dirty’ offices for officials concerned with regular visits underground. They are of the same style as the original colliery buildings, of Pennant sandstone here rendered, with red brick dressings, comprising dentilled window and door surrounds incorporating keystone, pilasters, plinth and cornice. Roof formerly of slate with ridge tiles, now stripped. The building is gabled on a N/S axis and is single-storey, 5 bays long and 2 bays wide: 4 segmental arched windows and central door, all now blocked, to main E-facing elevation. Gable end has 2 similar windows and a door.

Interior

Divided into offices.

Reason for designation

Listed as an integral part of this exceptionally fine colliery complex. Group value with other listed items.