1. The History
The works are located on the east bank of the River Derwent, immediately to the north of Matlock Bath, and are accessed from a metalled road off the main approach to Matlock Bath Railway Station or via footbridge over the river from Dale Road (A6).
The site was originally known as Viaton and was established for the mining of iron ore in the first half of the 1800s. When this was exhausted in 1850, Lead carbonate or “white lead” (a pigment used in white paint since the 4th century BC) was ground by a water-wheel of 80 horse power, capable of raising 1, 000 gallons an hour.
At the end of the century in 1900, the Via Gellia Colour Company then took the works over and installed a turbine to drive four pairs of Peak stones to grind-up iron oxide. After that, bone char (the waste product from sugar refining) was ground until the late 1960s. The works were then used for the blending of pre-ground chemically-produced colour products for use in paving slabs and other cement products.
Finally, the site became part of the Rockwood group and although they closed the site down when they revised their operations, they went on to change their name to Huntsman Pigments and Additives, and are currently the second largest manufacturer of iron oxide colour pigments in the World.
The site also contains the entrance to Side Mine, a former lead mine. Mining finished in 1844 when the owner gave up his attempts to drain the workings of water. The red colour on the walls and roof comes from residue from the pigment factory when excess pigment was blown into the mine via ventilation fans. There is a second cave on the site, High Tor Grotto, that was opened up as a Show Cavern between 1825 and 1845.
The Former High Tor Colour Works site, which covers approximately 4 acres, is currently up for sale on a freehold basis which includes part of the river bed although Heights of Abraham have reserved rights in respect of their cable cars that pass over the site restricting any development within 10m either side of the centre line of the cables.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to go back to this place for ages but never seemed to get around to it. There’s been a number of reports on the place over the years but nothing recently. An exploring friend was over from HK so took her out for a day’s exploring in Derbyshire and this was the third of three stops that day.
There’s two ways in. One involves spikes, the other doesn’t, so this was an easy choice. Once in, it’s a relaxed wander. The place is pretty well stripped and there’s nothing left of mega interest. In its favour though, it’s quite photogenic and there’s also its ever-changing graff.
In my previous visit I didn’t have a proper look at the former show cave/mine so this time we went in as far as we could without waders. We didn’t do the former lead mine in the factory itself (often referred to as ‘red mine’) as neither myself or my co-explorer didn’t really want a red rinse. Anyhow, this bits been done to a very high standard by @MotionlessMike (see his report HERE).
OK, on with the pictures.
3. The Pictures
Nothing of interest in the first shed we come to:
So in we go:
Pretty bare inside:
But still some decent graff:
And some pretty average stuff too:
Entrance to the “red mine” where they blasted all the unwanted pigment:
Roof of the newer section:
Contrasting nicely with the older parts of the factory that are more interesting and data back to the 1800’s:
Nice piece of paint-work by Tekonta Secta:
Parts of the former electrics:
Like the circular “portal windows” in this out-building:
On to the admin block:
Pretty trashed and decayed:
But quite photogenic:
And a nice bit of Coloquix hiding here:
A final quick look around before the show cave/mine:
And some industrial washing machines. Very needed with all that red pigment!
The works are located on the east bank of the River Derwent, immediately to the north of Matlock Bath, and are accessed from a metalled road off the main approach to Matlock Bath Railway Station or via footbridge over the river from Dale Road (A6).
The site was originally known as Viaton and was established for the mining of iron ore in the first half of the 1800s. When this was exhausted in 1850, Lead carbonate or “white lead” (a pigment used in white paint since the 4th century BC) was ground by a water-wheel of 80 horse power, capable of raising 1, 000 gallons an hour.
At the end of the century in 1900, the Via Gellia Colour Company then took the works over and installed a turbine to drive four pairs of Peak stones to grind-up iron oxide. After that, bone char (the waste product from sugar refining) was ground until the late 1960s. The works were then used for the blending of pre-ground chemically-produced colour products for use in paving slabs and other cement products.
Finally, the site became part of the Rockwood group and although they closed the site down when they revised their operations, they went on to change their name to Huntsman Pigments and Additives, and are currently the second largest manufacturer of iron oxide colour pigments in the World.
The site also contains the entrance to Side Mine, a former lead mine. Mining finished in 1844 when the owner gave up his attempts to drain the workings of water. The red colour on the walls and roof comes from residue from the pigment factory when excess pigment was blown into the mine via ventilation fans. There is a second cave on the site, High Tor Grotto, that was opened up as a Show Cavern between 1825 and 1845.
The Former High Tor Colour Works site, which covers approximately 4 acres, is currently up for sale on a freehold basis which includes part of the river bed although Heights of Abraham have reserved rights in respect of their cable cars that pass over the site restricting any development within 10m either side of the centre line of the cables.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to go back to this place for ages but never seemed to get around to it. There’s been a number of reports on the place over the years but nothing recently. An exploring friend was over from HK so took her out for a day’s exploring in Derbyshire and this was the third of three stops that day.
There’s two ways in. One involves spikes, the other doesn’t, so this was an easy choice. Once in, it’s a relaxed wander. The place is pretty well stripped and there’s nothing left of mega interest. In its favour though, it’s quite photogenic and there’s also its ever-changing graff.
In my previous visit I didn’t have a proper look at the former show cave/mine so this time we went in as far as we could without waders. We didn’t do the former lead mine in the factory itself (often referred to as ‘red mine’) as neither myself or my co-explorer didn’t really want a red rinse. Anyhow, this bits been done to a very high standard by @MotionlessMike (see his report HERE).
OK, on with the pictures.
3. The Pictures
Nothing of interest in the first shed we come to:
So in we go:
Pretty bare inside:
But still some decent graff:
And some pretty average stuff too:
Entrance to the “red mine” where they blasted all the unwanted pigment:
Roof of the newer section:
Contrasting nicely with the older parts of the factory that are more interesting and data back to the 1800’s:
Nice piece of paint-work by Tekonta Secta:
Parts of the former electrics:
Like the circular “portal windows” in this out-building:
On to the admin block:
Pretty trashed and decayed:
But quite photogenic:
And a nice bit of Coloquix hiding here:
A final quick look around before the show cave/mine:
And some industrial washing machines. Very needed with all that red pigment!
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