Pictures of Babbington

About Babbington

This pretty Nottinghamshire village is situated around 7 miles from the centre of Nottingham. It is typical of rural England, with cottages interspersed along quiet leafy lanes.

Babbington once played an important role within the British coal mining industry. The life of its pit began in 1841 but finally came to an end in 1986 when it merged with neighbouring Hucknall. Since its inception, the colliery provided the much needed stability for a region where previously the people had been very poor. The mine was begun by a young engineer called Thomas North, he must have been a considerate employer, for when the bank - to whom he owed two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, took over the pit, his workmen subscribed together for a memorial. The obelisk they had erected reads "By his great enterprise he was the means of finding employment for a large number of people" it would seem his fairness was always appreciated for despite his disputes with the unions, unlike other pit owners, North did not object to them.

Babbington lies between Ilkeston and Hucknall, there is golf in the area and plenty of wildlife. Nottingham provides visitors with great shopping opportunities, it has a splendid cathedral and a museum where you can learn much of the counties mining heritage and history.