Early coal workings would have been shallow, probably bell pits; the nearest, deeper shaft marked on the Ordnance Survey map is about 800 m north of Cowley at SK337778, on the edge of modern Dronfield.
Early coal mining activities would have involved shallow excavations, possibly bell pits; the closest, more substantial mine indicated on the Ordnance Survey map lies about 800 m north of Cowley at SK337778, bordering the present-day town of Dronfield.