Woodley Mill

Woodley Mill is a cotton spinning mill built in 1828 by Samuel Ashton, a member of a prominent manufacturing family. It is constructed of red brick with English garden wall banding, and has a Welsh slate roof. The mill’s internal structure features an iron frame supported by brick arches, which provided fireproofing.

The main range is aligned north-south, with a contemporary short cross-wing to the south. The cross-wing originally housed an integrated engine house and stack, which was later superseded by a separate structure attached to the west end and subsequently demolished. Office, latrine, and stair turrets are contained within the inner north-west angle of the two ranges. Internal evidence suggests the mill was designed for throstle spinning. The mill has three floors and a basement.

The main (east-facing, Hyde Road) elevation has a 25-window range, with the five windows at the end wall of the cross-wing set beneath a gable. Twenty of the first-floor windows retain original 38-paned timber frames; the others have been replaced, primarily with 9-pane frames. All windows are topped with depressed brick arches and have stone sills. There are two doorways, located in window bays 16 and 23. A gable window is present on the cross-wing. The south side of the cross-wing has an eight-window range. The sloping ground allows for four full storeys, and most window openings retain their original small-paned frames, although some have been replaced. One doorway features a round-headed fanlight, whilst another was added later. The rear end wall of the wing (west) has three lunettes on the first floor – a feature of when this was the original end wall. This wall was substantially altered when the engine house extension was built (since demolished), leaving a gable scar and two upper-floor doorways. A stair turret has windows on its west face, matching elsewhere except for a round-headed arch and small-paned window on the top floor. A further round-headed doorway is also present. The latrine/office block has one large and one small window on each floor. The rear wall of the main range has seventeen windows; the basement is full height (with several doors and windows altered or blocked), and the upper-floor fenestration remains largely intact, including a number of original small-paned frames.

The interior is remarkably well-preserved, featuring straight-sided iron beams on round-section iron columns, with shallow transverse brick arched vaults between floors. The floors are tiled. The upper floor isn’t fireproofed and has wooden cross beams and few internal supports. The roof is unusual, incorporating a tie beam and collar both carrying raked struts, and has purlins. Many original doorways remain, with pegged surrounds, planked doors with strap hinges and ledges. The transmission housings are intact on the main shop floors. Woodley Mill is notable as one of the earliest fireproofed mills in Greater Manchester.