Gilnow Mill

BOLTON

SD70NW SPA ROAD 797-1/4/95 (South side) 04/11/96 Gilnow Mill

II

Integrated cotton mill. Multi-phase site, originally developed in 1857 and subsequently expanded. Brick with stone plinth, slate and flat roofs, and cast-iron and brick arch internal structure to spinning block, cast-iron columns and timber beams in weaving sheds, workshop etc. PLAN: the site comprises a 4-storey spinning block with stair tower projecting from one angle, and engine house projecting from centre of front wall. In front of the spinning block, a long 2-storey office, warehouse and workshop range containing main entrance to mill. To rear of this range, and alongside the spinning block to the east, a range of single storey weaving sheds. Further weaving sheds to rear of spinning block. Boiler house, chimney and ancillary office and gate house buildings also on the site which has a stone boundary wall with cast-iron railings incorporating brackets for gas lamps. Possibly all developed as a single phase, but the spinning mill may have been substantially rebuilt following a fire in 1868. EXTERIOR: warehouse/office range: 2 storey, 23-window range to east of engine house (4-window range to west of engine house probably contemporary). 2 entrances, the main entrance to mill towards left in bay articulated by pilasters and with round-arched Italianate windows over doorway. Office entrance towards right, flanked by canted bay windows. Original loading bay to right of office, providing access to rear weaving sheds. Flat arched painted stone heads to windows, stone modillion eaves cornice. Main entrance aligns with projecting stair tower at south-east angle of spinning block. 4-storey spinning mill of 16x10 bays with 6-storey tower with Italianate detail. Stressed pilasters to angles and rectangular windows with segmental brick heads. Privy tower added to north-east corner. Weaving sheds in angle of spinning block and office range: 11 bays, saw-tooth roofed, with brick external wall divided by pilasters. Cast-iron columns with foliate capitals and acanthus brackets to timber beams. 2 bays of weaving sheds or card-room extensions added to north of spinning mill. A single range alongside spinning block may be an earlier range, the others apparently post-date the main weaving area. Also on site, single storey boiler houses and octagonal

chimney (truncated). Gate house building alongside rusticated gate piers an original feature though with later modifications. Other buildings in the site appear to be C20 additions. INTERIOR: not inspected. The mill represents a coherent site, developed for integrated work, and survives almost intact. (Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit: Greater Manchester Sites and Monuments Record; Longworth J: The Cotton Mills of Bolton: Bolton: 1987-; Greater Manchester Archaeological Journal: Williams MJ: Gilnow Mill, Bolton: An Example of Detailed Recording: Manchester: 1987-1988).

Listing NGR: SD7043808944