Wollaton Wagonway

Owned by Philip Layton, this line carried coal from a pit near Prescot Hall to a terminus about half a mile away.

Although modern historians are uncertain as to whether it evolved gradually or was invented at a particular time, it is known that, between the Autumn of 1603 and 1 October 1604, a wagonway had been built near Nottingham, by Huntingdon Beaumont who was the partner of Sir Percival Willoughby, the local land-owner and owner of Wollaton Hall.

[4] No documentary evidence exists to support such statements although Lewis' work (1970) on early wooden railways, and the practicalities of horse haulage, suggest a gauge close to that dimension is plausible.

alonge the passage now laide with railes, and with suche or the lyke Carriages as are now in use for the purpose.The above is from Sir Percival Willoughby's agreement with Huntingdon Beaumont dated 1 October 1604.

Sir Percival was Lord of the Manor of Wollaton and Huntingdon Beaumont was the lessee of the Strelley coal pits.