Main Block To Highgate Mills And Portal Between Number 74 Highgate Road And Number 2 Back Lane

The main block of Highgate Mills is a modest spinning mill built in the early to mid 19th century. It is set back in a yard with a large ashlar portal dated 1865 at the road line, which shares design features with the portals at the nearby former Bank Top Mills on Beacon Road. The portal has rustication incorporated into a semi-circular arch that rises from an impost string, with a keystone featuring carved bearded heads. It also has a projecting moulded cornice and a blocking course with a crested date panel. The mill itself is constructed of sandstone "brick" and has three storeys, with a closely set range of 16 coupled voussoir arched windows on each floor. At the east end, there are windows with a dividing pier inscribed with the years 1851 and 1862. Additionally, there is a square section tapered chimney stack built into the north-east corner.