Illingworth were Worsted spinners. Whetley mills was one of the largest in Bradford, and boasts a fine chimney and engine hall along with it.
The mill stands today part converted, part stripped, and luckily part intact!
We arrived to find workers on the site but their pigeon English meant we were able to mingle and explore never the less.
I find there is a certain romance about the engine halls of the great mills. They were once very lavish with tilework, ornate iron work and carved stone. Although disused for decades, Illingworth's engine hall is still very grand. Seeking out the staircase (or what was left of it) we were able to get right to the top of the water tank floors,looking down over the grand arches.
The top floor of the mill has escaped conversion so far. The rafters are beautiful and there is still some wool industry papafinalia lying around if you look hard enough. One floor had very grand iron pillars, decorated with acorns!
The water tower offered jaw dropping views over the mill and city...
The mill stands today part converted, part stripped, and luckily part intact!
We arrived to find workers on the site but their pigeon English meant we were able to mingle and explore never the less.
I find there is a certain romance about the engine halls of the great mills. They were once very lavish with tilework, ornate iron work and carved stone. Although disused for decades, Illingworth's engine hall is still very grand. Seeking out the staircase (or what was left of it) we were able to get right to the top of the water tank floors,looking down over the grand arches.
The top floor of the mill has escaped conversion so far. The rafters are beautiful and there is still some wool industry papafinalia lying around if you look hard enough. One floor had very grand iron pillars, decorated with acorns!
The water tower offered jaw dropping views over the mill and city...
