Deep Roots, Dark Earth: Freemining in the Forest of Dean
22:44
For centuries, the freeminers of the Forest of Dean have held a rare and ancient right to mine coal wherever they find it beneath the forest floor. To become a freeminer, one must be over 21, born within the historic Hundred of St Briavels, and have worked underground for a year and a day. With fewer births in the region and an ageing workforce, the tradition faces an uncertain future.
Through evocative storytelling and stunning underground footage, Deep Roots, Dark Earth captures the grit, camaraderie and unwavering passion that keep these men digging. As one miner puts it, “There’s enough coal here to last 500 years, you just have to find it.”
Deep Roots, Dark Earth was produced by Jungle filmmakers as part of the wider Forestry England, Rooted in History: Telling Our Historic Environment programme and was shown at the Bath Archaeo-Heritage Festival 2025.