Well, photos from this place have been on the forum for quite a while and it has been on my 'to do list' for just as long but what we found there this weekend was beyond my wildest expectations.. We headed down after hearing from Urbanity that he had found some epicness but in all honesty we didnt know exactly what to expect and were ever so slightly prepared to be disappointed!
Oh how we need'nt have worried! upon arrival we knew we knew instantly we had not wasted our time. The pictures from the mill showed what appeared to be a pretty stripped and half conveted building, good but not epic.. What we attulay found was a collection of stunningly well preserved buildings, complete with old machines and line shafts, all visible through the moss covered windows, and to top it all off a typically 'insanely dangerous' access route the 28days crew, if there is such a thing, seem to thrive on..
We had a mooch in the large weaving shed first while we contemplated the path ahead. Even this huge empty space threw up some suprises, the worlds longest wooden ladder and a random pair of local explorers for example! Next into the 1922 toilet block which was amazing in itself and after that, the 'bridge of doom' into the previously unexplored workshops.. A pair of large (8ft BC maybe?) line shaft driven lathes were still in situe along with a few other old bits of kit and the most amazing worshop radio ive ever seen.. this was getting good! Outside we stumbled on a lovely little water wheel and crossed over the culvert again to look at the main mill. Thats been pretty well covered on here before, nice enough, just a shame you cant get up the tower anymore.. Urbanity turned up and suggested we try the boiler house next but alas, the SIA arm banded polski was in just the wrong place at the wrong time and we retired to the cafe for a well earned £5 mixed grille.
Now this is where we need to appoligise to OT for we said our good bye's and the others drove away assuming the day was over. Myself and Dweeb however decided to go back for one last look and found polski absent.. No way were we gonna go home without giving it another go and what do you know, steam pumps and boilers all round, fucking stunning..!
All ive got left to say is a massive thanks to Urbanity, we had a mint weekend and it was the perfect example of how explorers should interact. You go out there, find amazing stuff, share it with your peers without a hint of the shelfishness and eliteist attitude that plagues our activities nowerdays.. End result everyone is happy!
Oh how we need'nt have worried! upon arrival we knew we knew instantly we had not wasted our time. The pictures from the mill showed what appeared to be a pretty stripped and half conveted building, good but not epic.. What we attulay found was a collection of stunningly well preserved buildings, complete with old machines and line shafts, all visible through the moss covered windows, and to top it all off a typically 'insanely dangerous' access route the 28days crew, if there is such a thing, seem to thrive on..
We had a mooch in the large weaving shed first while we contemplated the path ahead. Even this huge empty space threw up some suprises, the worlds longest wooden ladder and a random pair of local explorers for example! Next into the 1922 toilet block which was amazing in itself and after that, the 'bridge of doom' into the previously unexplored workshops.. A pair of large (8ft BC maybe?) line shaft driven lathes were still in situe along with a few other old bits of kit and the most amazing worshop radio ive ever seen.. this was getting good! Outside we stumbled on a lovely little water wheel and crossed over the culvert again to look at the main mill. Thats been pretty well covered on here before, nice enough, just a shame you cant get up the tower anymore.. Urbanity turned up and suggested we try the boiler house next but alas, the SIA arm banded polski was in just the wrong place at the wrong time and we retired to the cafe for a well earned £5 mixed grille.
Now this is where we need to appoligise to OT for we said our good bye's and the others drove away assuming the day was over. Myself and Dweeb however decided to go back for one last look and found polski absent.. No way were we gonna go home without giving it another go and what do you know, steam pumps and boilers all round, fucking stunning..!
Workshops
Mill
Engine and Boiler Houses
Mill
Engine and Boiler Houses
All ive got left to say is a massive thanks to Urbanity, we had a mint weekend and it was the perfect example of how explorers should interact. You go out there, find amazing stuff, share it with your peers without a hint of the shelfishness and eliteist attitude that plagues our activities nowerdays.. End result everyone is happy!
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