Woodley Mill

SJ99SW WERNETH HYDE ROAD Woodley 1/227 Woodley Mill II

Cotton spinning mill (empty at time of inspection, March 1990). Built 1828 by Samuel Ashton, a member of an important north country manufacturing family. Redbrick in English garden wall band; Welsh slate roof. Internally iron framed with brick arches (for fireproofing). Main range, aligned N/S, with contemporary short cross-wing to south; the latter appears originally to have contained an internal and integral engine house and stack which was superseded by another, attached to the W end of the wing and since demolished. Office, latrine and stair turrets contained within the inner (NW) angle of the two ranges. Power lines (internal evidence of shafting) suggest that the mill was designed for throstle (rather than mule) spinning. 3 floors and basement. Exterior: principal (Hyde Road, E) elevation, 25 window range,the 5 windows forming the end wall of the cross wing under a gable. 20 of the 1st floor windows have original 38 small-paned timber frames, the others replaced mainly with 9-pane frames. All windows with depressed brick arches. Stone sills. 2 doorways (to window bays 16 and 23). Gable wall window to cross wing. S side of cross wing an 8-window range; slope of land allows 4 full storeys; all window openings original, some with small - paned frames, otherwise a variety of replacements. One round-headed doorway with fanlight, one later inserted doorway. Rear end wall of wing (W) with 3 lunettes to 1st floor (when this was the end wall), but considerably altered when engine house extension built, since demolished leaving gable scar and 2 upper floor doorways. Stair turret with windows to W face only, all as elsewhere (one with small panes) except the top floor window which has at round-headed arch (and small panes); round-headed doorway. Latrine/Office block with one large and one small window to each floor. Rear wall of main range, 17 windows, the basement full height (several doors and windows altered or blocked), the upper floor fenestration intact, with a number of original small-paned frames. Interior. Remarkably intact. Straight-sided iron beams (ie an early form) on round- section iron columns; shallow transverse brick arched vaults between. Tiled floors. Upper floor above is not fire-proofed, with wooden cross beams and few internal supports. Unusual roof, with tie beam and collar both carrying raked struts; purlins. Many of the original doorways survive with pegged surrounds and planked doors with strap hinges and ledges. The transmission housings are intact to principal shop floors Woodley Mill is one of the earliest fireproofed mills in Greater Manchester.

Listing NGR: SJ9379092426