IA Adventures
@ia-adventures.bsky.social
No AI here, this is IA - industrial archaeology. Join me as I visit sites around the UK (and occasionally elsewhere). Further information at Industrial History Online (www.industrialhistoryonline.co.uk/yiho/index.php)
You wouldn't expect to find evidence of coal mining right in the centre of Durham but here it is - a blocked-up entrance to Elvet Colliery and even an exposed seam of coal. You can find this close to Prebends bridge #industrialarchaeology #durham
November 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
You wouldn't expect to find evidence of coal mining right in the centre of Durham but here it is - a blocked-up entrance to Elvet Colliery and even an exposed seam of coal. You can find this close to Prebends bridge #industrialarchaeology #durham
Walker's Pottery in Corbridge, which closed before the First World War, produced pipes, roofing tiles, bricks, sanitary ware and low grade pottery for agricultural use. #industrialarchaeology
October 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Walker's Pottery in Corbridge, which closed before the First World War, produced pipes, roofing tiles, bricks, sanitary ware and low grade pottery for agricultural use. #industrialarchaeology
The Inkerman Beehive Coke Ovens at Tow Law are a rare survival of some 14,000 that used to operate in Co Durham #industrialarchaeology
October 18, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The Inkerman Beehive Coke Ovens at Tow Law are a rare survival of some 14,000 that used to operate in Co Durham #industrialarchaeology
I returned to the site of my first BlueSky post - the start of the Stockton & Darlington Railway - and was pleased to see that information panels have been erected. Apparently there has been lots of visitors over the summer thanks to the @railway200.bsky.social celebrations #industrialarchaeology
October 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I returned to the site of my first BlueSky post - the start of the Stockton & Darlington Railway - and was pleased to see that information panels have been erected. Apparently there has been lots of visitors over the summer thanks to the @railway200.bsky.social celebrations #industrialarchaeology
Classic grim northerness - terraced housing and chimneys. This is Shaddon Mill in Carlisle. Its chimney of 320ft (97m) was at one time the tallest in the world #industrialarchaeology
October 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Classic grim northerness - terraced housing and chimneys. This is Shaddon Mill in Carlisle. Its chimney of 320ft (97m) was at one time the tallest in the world #industrialarchaeology
Richmond (London) station has been lovingly refurbished to show off its 1930s art deco style. Nice touches include mentions of the pre-nationalisation railway companies #industrialarchaeology #railways
October 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Richmond (London) station has been lovingly refurbished to show off its 1930s art deco style. Nice touches include mentions of the pre-nationalisation railway companies #industrialarchaeology #railways
Connel Bridge over Loch Etive is the second largest single-span cantilevered bridge in Great Britain. It was originally a shared road and rail bridge, but since 1966 it is solely for road use #industrialarchaeology #bridges
September 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Connel Bridge over Loch Etive is the second largest single-span cantilevered bridge in Great Britain. It was originally a shared road and rail bridge, but since 1966 it is solely for road use #industrialarchaeology #bridges
For many years there was a legend that a horse and cart fell down inside a concrete pier during construction of Glenfinnan viaduct. It was only until 2001 that modern scanning technology proved that the accident had in fact occurred here at the nearby Loch nan Uamh Viaduct. #industrialarchaeology
September 28, 2025 at 6:18 AM
For many years there was a legend that a horse and cart fell down inside a concrete pier during construction of Glenfinnan viaduct. It was only until 2001 that modern scanning technology proved that the accident had in fact occurred here at the nearby Loch nan Uamh Viaduct. #industrialarchaeology
Ben Nevis Distillery has a picturesque location beneath the slopes of Britain's highest mountain in Fort William. It is 200 years old this year #industrialarchaeology #distillery #whisky
September 27, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Ben Nevis Distillery has a picturesque location beneath the slopes of Britain's highest mountain in Fort William. It is 200 years old this year #industrialarchaeology #distillery #whisky
Sloy Hydro-Electric Power Station, on the shore of Loch Lomond, is the largest conventional hydro-power station in Britain, generating 152.5 MW of electricity. It uses water from Loch Sloy, 2½ miles away, piped through tunnels through Ben Vorlich #industrialarchaeology
September 26, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Sloy Hydro-Electric Power Station, on the shore of Loch Lomond, is the largest conventional hydro-power station in Britain, generating 152.5 MW of electricity. It uses water from Loch Sloy, 2½ miles away, piped through tunnels through Ben Vorlich #industrialarchaeology
I'm in Darlington just a couple of days before the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. A chance to see one of the newest locomotives under construction, the P2 Prince of Wales #Railway200
September 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'm in Darlington just a couple of days before the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. A chance to see one of the newest locomotives under construction, the P2 Prince of Wales #Railway200
Here's an interesting new book just out. Essentially a coffee table picture book showing a wide range of motor garages charting the history of the combustion engine. #industrialarchaeology
September 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Here's an interesting new book just out. Essentially a coffee table picture book showing a wide range of motor garages charting the history of the combustion engine. #industrialarchaeology
The Old Bridge in Mostar was originally built by the Ottomans in the 16th century but was destroyed by Bosnian Croat forces during the Croat–Bosniak War in 1993. It was reconstructed using some original stones recovered from the river and reopened in 2004. #Mostar #industrialarchaeology
September 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The Old Bridge in Mostar was originally built by the Ottomans in the 16th century but was destroyed by Bosnian Croat forces during the Croat–Bosniak War in 1993. It was reconstructed using some original stones recovered from the river and reopened in 2004. #Mostar #industrialarchaeology
Kotor in Montenegro is a wonderful medieval walled town. To many the derelict Riviera soap factory just outside the old town is an eyesore. I wonder how long it will remain but I quite like it! #Kotor #Montenegro #industrialarchaeology
September 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Kotor in Montenegro is a wonderful medieval walled town. To many the derelict Riviera soap factory just outside the old town is an eyesore. I wonder how long it will remain but I quite like it! #Kotor #Montenegro #industrialarchaeology
I didn't expect to see much IA on a seaside holiday in Croatia but it turns out that Mlini, where we are staying, is derived from the Latin word for mill, molina. Here they ground grain, and olives for oil #industrialarchaeology
September 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I didn't expect to see much IA on a seaside holiday in Croatia but it turns out that Mlini, where we are staying, is derived from the Latin word for mill, molina. Here they ground grain, and olives for oil #industrialarchaeology
This nondescript building in Potton, Bedfordshire is actually a historic early railway shed, dating from 1857. It was built for Sir William Peel's private railway and housed a small steam loco called Shannon, which has also survived and can be seen at Didcot Railway Centre #industrialarchaeology
September 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This nondescript building in Potton, Bedfordshire is actually a historic early railway shed, dating from 1857. It was built for Sir William Peel's private railway and housed a small steam loco called Shannon, which has also survived and can be seen at Didcot Railway Centre #industrialarchaeology
I'm in Bradford for the Association for Industrial Archaeology conference. Many buildings have been repurposed as offices or accommodation. Here's Midland Mills still waiting to be saved #industrialarchaeology #bradford
September 6, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I'm in Bradford for the Association for Industrial Archaeology conference. Many buildings have been repurposed as offices or accommodation. Here's Midland Mills still waiting to be saved #industrialarchaeology #bradford
Is this industrial archaeology? Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group thinks so. This one-mile-long strip of land is the former Stamford racecourse. The grandstand, situated at the winning post, is now a private dwelling. #industrialarchaeology #racecourse #horseracing
September 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Is this industrial archaeology? Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group thinks so. This one-mile-long strip of land is the former Stamford racecourse. The grandstand, situated at the winning post, is now a private dwelling. #industrialarchaeology #racecourse #horseracing
Wivenhoe's dry dock once built fishing smacks, yachts, steamers and gunboats. During wartime minesweepers were also built and serviced, and even sections of the Mulberry Harbour were constructed here. It is now a shallow water feature for the new housing development. #industrialarchaeology
September 4, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Wivenhoe's dry dock once built fishing smacks, yachts, steamers and gunboats. During wartime minesweepers were also built and serviced, and even sections of the Mulberry Harbour were constructed here. It is now a shallow water feature for the new housing development. #industrialarchaeology
The Marshall's Yard retail site in Gainsborough was formerly the Britannia Iron Works which was founded in 1848. Marshall, Sons & Co built steam engines and agricultural machinery which were exported all over the world. #industrialarchaeology
August 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The Marshall's Yard retail site in Gainsborough was formerly the Britannia Iron Works which was founded in 1848. Marshall, Sons & Co built steam engines and agricultural machinery which were exported all over the world. #industrialarchaeology
If this signal box at Oakham looks familiar, you might recognise it from the Airfix Model construction kit which was based on it #industrialarchaeology
August 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
If this signal box at Oakham looks familiar, you might recognise it from the Airfix Model construction kit which was based on it #industrialarchaeology
Snape Maltings near Aldeburgh is one of the most successful reuses of industrial buildings. Part residential, part retail, part food & drink, and, of course, a high profile music venue ##industrialarchaeology
August 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Snape Maltings near Aldeburgh is one of the most successful reuses of industrial buildings. Part residential, part retail, part food & drink, and, of course, a high profile music venue ##industrialarchaeology
East Mills operated on this site in Colchester for centuries, first as a watermill and later as a steam mill. The handsome buildings have been converted into residential apartments #industrialarchaeology
August 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM
East Mills operated on this site in Colchester for centuries, first as a watermill and later as a steam mill. The handsome buildings have been converted into residential apartments #industrialarchaeology
Colchester has one of the finest municipal water towers, reputedly the second largest of its kind when erected in 1882. It is known affectionately as 'Jumbo' ##industrialarchaeology
August 10, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Colchester has one of the finest municipal water towers, reputedly the second largest of its kind when erected in 1882. It is known affectionately as 'Jumbo' ##industrialarchaeology
The vast Litchurch Lane Works, which hosted the 'Greatest Gathering' of railway vehicles in Derby, is itself a historical site associated with the railways since Victorian times #industrialarchaeology #greatestgathering #railways
August 2, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The vast Litchurch Lane Works, which hosted the 'Greatest Gathering' of railway vehicles in Derby, is itself a historical site associated with the railways since Victorian times #industrialarchaeology #greatestgathering #railways