1. The History
Located on the edge of Millbrook, between Stalybridge and Mossley, about 4 miles from Ashton, the Grade II listed building was originally built as a specialised spinning mill for the Staley Mill Company. Built in millstone grit, it had Welsh slate roofs and was configured in two ranges at right angles, forming a U-shaped plan. The south range, a warehouse (now demolished), had three storeys, and sides of 19 and four bays, while the north range (the mill itself) had four storeys and sides of 28 and six bays. The clock tower is dated 1857, which represents the most-likely completion date of the mill. The original beam engine was replaced by a Yates & Thom triple expansion engine and a new engine house was built in 1908 with white glazed bricks internally to house it. In 1911 the mill could drive 59,000 mule spindles and 7,000 ring spindles. Staley & Millbrook Ltd operated the mill until they sold off all machinery for £13,000 in 1937. During the second world it was used to keep Italian prisoners. Cotton spinning ceased in 1961 and it was put to use for a while by a bleaching and dyeing company, Dukinfield Bleaching Co.
At the time of listing in November 1991, the mill was still being used for various light-industrial purposes. Now owned by The Casey Group, Oakwood Mill suffered major damage after three floors gave way on Friday, 9th February 2018 due to heavy rain falling on a build-up of ice on the roof. Despite locals saying they felt an earthquake, fortunately much of the falling brickwork and masonry landed in the mill’s yard.
2. The Explore
Hadn’t planned on looking around this place. Myself and @Bikin Glynn were on our way to explore a nearby church when we saw this old mill so thought it rude not to go back and have a mooch. Given the dilapidated state of the place we were surprised by the relative thoroughness of the new looking heras fencing around the site. This will be explained by the recent collapse at the mill (mentioned above) and Casey’s attempts to secure the site. We could only find our way into the basement of the main part of the mill. Whether or not access to the upper floors went with the collapse, we couldn’t find a way up. Not worthy of a trip in its own right but if you are passing, well worth an hour of your time.
3. The Pictures
Full frontal:
Date stone:
The original company name on the front gates:
And round the back:
The chimney:
And the boiler-house itself (the most photogenic part of the mill):
The engine room:
Pipe from the engine room to the chimney:
On to the mill:
And down into the basement:
It’s all a bit derpy to be honest:
But this little stove is quite cute:
The lift shaft:
And back out again:
Located on the edge of Millbrook, between Stalybridge and Mossley, about 4 miles from Ashton, the Grade II listed building was originally built as a specialised spinning mill for the Staley Mill Company. Built in millstone grit, it had Welsh slate roofs and was configured in two ranges at right angles, forming a U-shaped plan. The south range, a warehouse (now demolished), had three storeys, and sides of 19 and four bays, while the north range (the mill itself) had four storeys and sides of 28 and six bays. The clock tower is dated 1857, which represents the most-likely completion date of the mill. The original beam engine was replaced by a Yates & Thom triple expansion engine and a new engine house was built in 1908 with white glazed bricks internally to house it. In 1911 the mill could drive 59,000 mule spindles and 7,000 ring spindles. Staley & Millbrook Ltd operated the mill until they sold off all machinery for £13,000 in 1937. During the second world it was used to keep Italian prisoners. Cotton spinning ceased in 1961 and it was put to use for a while by a bleaching and dyeing company, Dukinfield Bleaching Co.
At the time of listing in November 1991, the mill was still being used for various light-industrial purposes. Now owned by The Casey Group, Oakwood Mill suffered major damage after three floors gave way on Friday, 9th February 2018 due to heavy rain falling on a build-up of ice on the roof. Despite locals saying they felt an earthquake, fortunately much of the falling brickwork and masonry landed in the mill’s yard.
2. The Explore
Hadn’t planned on looking around this place. Myself and @Bikin Glynn were on our way to explore a nearby church when we saw this old mill so thought it rude not to go back and have a mooch. Given the dilapidated state of the place we were surprised by the relative thoroughness of the new looking heras fencing around the site. This will be explained by the recent collapse at the mill (mentioned above) and Casey’s attempts to secure the site. We could only find our way into the basement of the main part of the mill. Whether or not access to the upper floors went with the collapse, we couldn’t find a way up. Not worthy of a trip in its own right but if you are passing, well worth an hour of your time.
3. The Pictures
Full frontal:
Date stone:
The original company name on the front gates:
And round the back:
The chimney:
And the boiler-house itself (the most photogenic part of the mill):
The engine room:
Pipe from the engine room to the chimney:
On to the mill:
And down into the basement:
It’s all a bit derpy to be honest:
But this little stove is quite cute:
The lift shaft:
And back out again:
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