Oakwood Mill - Report
History
Oakwood Mill is on the edge of the village of Millbrook, between Stalybridge and Mossley, and about 4 miles from Ashton under Lyme. The mill; which is part of a conservation area, and is a Grade II Listed Building is becoming increasingly dilapidated; there are (were) hopes that the mill buildings can be preserved and converted for residential use. (looking at the current structural state of the mill I very much doubt it could be preserved).
The 3 story mill was built as a specialised spinning mill for the Staley Mill Company between1851and 1887, they sold it off and all machinery for £13,000 in 1937. During the second world was the mill was used to keep Italian prisoners.
Centrally is the clock tower which is dated 1857, a new engine house was built in 1908, which has white glazed bricks internally.
History from the end of the war is a bit sketchy, it ended life being used for various light-industrial purposes, probably closing in the late 80’s or early 90’s.
The Visit
I first had a look around here in October 2009, wasn't very inspired as the mill is empty, trashed and falling apart. The only thing of interest I found was the round windows, well missing clock faces on the clock tower.
I had an hour or two spare today and after a couple of failed explores, one very tedious visit I finally opted to revisit here; if for nothing else to find the stove in the basement that Hidden Shadow photographed on his visit.
Oakwood Mill
Gate detail
Stone chimney and engine house from the mill building
Empty floors
Trashed stairwell
Colapsed roof (brick arches)
The roof garden
Long gone clock face
View through the round aperture (an interesting bit!)
An other interesting bit!! some workings at the top of the lift shaft
The stove in the basement (final interesting bit)
Rear of the mill building will piles of stone (not sure which buildings have gone, but have seen a mention of a warehouse dating from the same time)
Well that's it, glad I have found a bit of history this time (Hidden Shadows report helped) and that I payed a revisit, fairly bleak building, but it's worth a wander round as there are a couple of other venues nearby.
History
Oakwood Mill is on the edge of the village of Millbrook, between Stalybridge and Mossley, and about 4 miles from Ashton under Lyme. The mill; which is part of a conservation area, and is a Grade II Listed Building is becoming increasingly dilapidated; there are (were) hopes that the mill buildings can be preserved and converted for residential use. (looking at the current structural state of the mill I very much doubt it could be preserved).
The 3 story mill was built as a specialised spinning mill for the Staley Mill Company between1851and 1887, they sold it off and all machinery for £13,000 in 1937. During the second world was the mill was used to keep Italian prisoners.
Centrally is the clock tower which is dated 1857, a new engine house was built in 1908, which has white glazed bricks internally.
History from the end of the war is a bit sketchy, it ended life being used for various light-industrial purposes, probably closing in the late 80’s or early 90’s.
The Visit
I first had a look around here in October 2009, wasn't very inspired as the mill is empty, trashed and falling apart. The only thing of interest I found was the round windows, well missing clock faces on the clock tower.
I had an hour or two spare today and after a couple of failed explores, one very tedious visit I finally opted to revisit here; if for nothing else to find the stove in the basement that Hidden Shadow photographed on his visit.
Oakwood Mill
Gate detail
Stone chimney and engine house from the mill building
Empty floors
Trashed stairwell
Colapsed roof (brick arches)
The roof garden
Long gone clock face
View through the round aperture (an interesting bit!)
An other interesting bit!! some workings at the top of the lift shaft
The stove in the basement (final interesting bit)
Rear of the mill building will piles of stone (not sure which buildings have gone, but have seen a mention of a warehouse dating from the same time)
Well that's it, glad I have found a bit of history this time (Hidden Shadows report helped) and that I payed a revisit, fairly bleak building, but it's worth a wander round as there are a couple of other venues nearby.
Last edited:
