At the far north eastern corner of Big Moor, an area known on the ordnance survey map as Bucka Hill, you will find the remains of twenty eight Bell pits.
They are named Bell Pits because of their unusual construction.
A vertical shaft is sunk, and then the excavations continues horizontally around the base of the shaft, creating the shape of a large bell. The spoil was heaped around the top of the shaft and a space left for the removal of the mined product such as coal or ironstone.
It is mostly coal from the shallow Ringinglow seam that was mined in these particular bell pits. You will, if you keep a keen eye out spot shale like pieces of coal that can be found around the immediate area including other parts of Big Moor.
Mining took place from the 16th century on wards, and was probably only a relatively short lived occupation, ceasing in the early 18th century.
After the mining was complete, the surface spoil was usually thrown back in. After a period of time of settlement, the surface became dished, leaving a saucer shaped hollow, into which several have created ponds.
It must have been a very hard and dangerous occupation, it makes you wonder whether small children may have been involved, history would suggest that they were.
Eastern Moors of the Peak District by Dave Torr 