1. The History
This mill complex is situated east-north-east of the centre of Bradfield. The first mill to be established here in 1815 was steam-powered worsted-spinning mill. Early buildings included a four-storey, timber-floored mill (with internal end engine house) and a number of warehouses. The warehouses were later extended and in 1852 a new four-storey mill with basement and attic designed by W Metcalf of Bradford was also added. Then, in 1870, the largest building on the site, Barkerend Mill, was built. It boasted six storeys and was constructed so it was fireproof mill. Designed by Bradford-based Architects Milnes and France, the mill showed evolution of a transmission system from upright shaft in shaft tower to a rope race. At it’s peak it provided employment for in excess of 400 workers.
Barkerend mill was Grade II listed on 9th August, 1983. In 1987 a fire damaged much of the North Mill building. Mill operations finally ceased in 1996, bring to an end over 180 years of continuous working on the site. Since then the buildings have been used for storage and the manufacture of aquariums, before being left empty in 2017 and slipping into dereliction. The second of two major fires in the site occurred in leaving the North Mill without a roof.
Back in 1952 when the floors of the mill were jam-packed with machines:
More archive pictures HERE
In 2021 it was announced that the mill would be transformed into 117 new apartments after Barkerend Mills Ltd were granted planning permission was granted by Bradford Council. Barkerend Mill and North Mill will be converted into a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments while the third building, Tahiti Mill, will be demolished to make way for an outdoor area and car park. As of October 2022, work is yet to start and the mill lies in a forlorn state.
2. The Explore
Had this place on my radar for a while, so early one morning off me and my non-forum member exploring mate set. After parking up close by and making the short walk over to the mill complex, we soon very quickly found out way into the main Barkerend mill. The six-story mill is by far the most photogenic of the three buildings. Although pretty much empty and a little bit samey, the architectural features, including the cast-iron ceiling columns, are ridiculously photogenic and the views over the other two mills and the local area just get better and better the higher you go. So we must have spent over an hour in the main mill. We didn’t bother with the fire-damaged North Mill as it didn’t look that interesting. We did, however have a peek in the smaller Tahiti Mill, which, at some part in time looked like it had been the sight of a grow.
Overall, a great explore.
3. The Pictures
The glorious site that first avails itself:
End shot of the mill:
Connecting walkway to Tahiti Mill:
Fire escape:
First up, the dark foreboding first floor:
Second floor:
Old coms system?
Sun shafting into the third floor:
Broken sink:
The fourth floor is not that spectacular:
Connecting corridor:
Old electrics:
The burnt-out part of North Mill:
And the part that retains its roof:
And onward:
To the fifth “blue” floor:
Old wooden cases:
Evidence of previous occupants:
And views over Bradford:
This mill complex is situated east-north-east of the centre of Bradfield. The first mill to be established here in 1815 was steam-powered worsted-spinning mill. Early buildings included a four-storey, timber-floored mill (with internal end engine house) and a number of warehouses. The warehouses were later extended and in 1852 a new four-storey mill with basement and attic designed by W Metcalf of Bradford was also added. Then, in 1870, the largest building on the site, Barkerend Mill, was built. It boasted six storeys and was constructed so it was fireproof mill. Designed by Bradford-based Architects Milnes and France, the mill showed evolution of a transmission system from upright shaft in shaft tower to a rope race. At it’s peak it provided employment for in excess of 400 workers.
Barkerend mill was Grade II listed on 9th August, 1983. In 1987 a fire damaged much of the North Mill building. Mill operations finally ceased in 1996, bring to an end over 180 years of continuous working on the site. Since then the buildings have been used for storage and the manufacture of aquariums, before being left empty in 2017 and slipping into dereliction. The second of two major fires in the site occurred in leaving the North Mill without a roof.
Back in 1952 when the floors of the mill were jam-packed with machines:
More archive pictures HERE
In 2021 it was announced that the mill would be transformed into 117 new apartments after Barkerend Mills Ltd were granted planning permission was granted by Bradford Council. Barkerend Mill and North Mill will be converted into a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments while the third building, Tahiti Mill, will be demolished to make way for an outdoor area and car park. As of October 2022, work is yet to start and the mill lies in a forlorn state.
2. The Explore
Had this place on my radar for a while, so early one morning off me and my non-forum member exploring mate set. After parking up close by and making the short walk over to the mill complex, we soon very quickly found out way into the main Barkerend mill. The six-story mill is by far the most photogenic of the three buildings. Although pretty much empty and a little bit samey, the architectural features, including the cast-iron ceiling columns, are ridiculously photogenic and the views over the other two mills and the local area just get better and better the higher you go. So we must have spent over an hour in the main mill. We didn’t bother with the fire-damaged North Mill as it didn’t look that interesting. We did, however have a peek in the smaller Tahiti Mill, which, at some part in time looked like it had been the sight of a grow.
Overall, a great explore.
3. The Pictures
The glorious site that first avails itself:
End shot of the mill:
Connecting walkway to Tahiti Mill:
Fire escape:
First up, the dark foreboding first floor:
Second floor:
Old coms system?
Sun shafting into the third floor:
Broken sink:
The fourth floor is not that spectacular:
Connecting corridor:
Old electrics:
The burnt-out part of North Mill:
And the part that retains its roof:
And onward:
To the fifth “blue” floor:
Old wooden cases:
Evidence of previous occupants:
And views over Bradford:
