…'WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGE BELOW'...
There's not much left of Washpit Mills. It used to be huge, sprawling, and vast but some parts have survived. That's because these parts are listed buildings and can't be torn down easily.
Situated just above Green Lane Mill, this small industrial complex is set amongst green fields and farmland. The site dates from c1810 but was rebuilt around 1840. Dating from this period is a four-storey (plus attic) stone building along Georgian lines with an adjoining narrow three-storey part at the top end of the site.
Various other buildings have been added to the site, including a large double gabled mill building (mid-late 19C) and relatively modern weaving sheds.
It says small but it's not small or didn't used to be. A large mill complex seems a little out of place in the rural town of Holmfirth.
My expectation was low as I have not seen a recent report so what we did get to see was a decent surprise.
Most of the workers were laid off after an almost 100% closure in 2016 with just a couple kept on.
Development and progress has been slow according to this article which is from two years ago.
‘The road is not wide enough’, is the reason for the lack of progress. It was a narrow small road on-route and I can understand the reason for not opening a massive shopping complex here.
On arriving I could see a little inner refurbishment had been done to this building with its gaping opening. No problem getting into this, just walk through the non-existent door.
At least part of this suite of old buildings was in use. It was a question of which were not?
Holes in windows is usually a good trademark of what is disused. We made our way to this other section which had a large sheet of metal blowing in the wind making a terrible noise.
Just beyond it was a row of houses. I wouldn't like to listen to that wailing all night.
Having infiltrated the wailing building using techniques not even known to man as yet, we could see some items still stored within.
I think they may have bought too many of these cone things, there are lots left doing nothing but gathering dust.
The fire exit led us up through the dark stairs to the second floor.
This contained a decent floor and lots of bags of woollen materials and other large bags.
I was wondering if that exit led to the top floor, or just outside?
There were outside steps which were massively overgrown to the top floor but it was obvious nobody had trodden there in years.
It was then I noticed the less than obvious next flight of steps in the corner of the building.
Making our way to them, I almost stood on something, what was it?
I stared at what I was seeing on the ground in skeletal form; the remains of a cat.
Its mouth was frozen open and it looked to have suffered an agonising death. We do see cats occasionally in mills as they like to eat the pigeons.
Stepping around the poor dead animal we continued up to the top and the dodgiest floor.
I do like the topmost floors as they are generally the most photogenic, and I do like this one particularly.
We figured that was it, but decided to check out another building which looked a little war-torn.
This one had a ton of pipes on the second floor, but could get access to that part?
Inside was much different, less decrepit and newer than the cat mill.
The doors to these big round areas looked like something from 'Alien'. Who knows what they were used for?
We did try and get to the next level but this door was firmly barred with screws attached.
There was another way up via some vertical ladders but I decided not to bother after a short climb and look around. I would have had to balance on those beams and thought better of it.
There didn't seem to be a lot of interest up there after all and at least one of us has some vertigo issues, no names mentioned!
Anyone who is keen can easily get up the next level and it may well be worth a look if you really are interested.
If you are thinking about visiting at Washpit Mills, then I would say don't arse about, I don't know how long it is going to be like this.
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