Engine House Nortonthorpe Mills

The Engine House at Nortonthorpe Mills, built between 1885 and 1886 for Norton & Co Ltd, is a single-storey structure made of coursed squared stone with ashlar dressings and a stone slate roof. It features two circular metal ventilators and bracketed eaves with wooden guttering. The main south-west facade has five large round-headed openings, each with ashlar hoods, keystones, and a linking impost band. The central opening contains a single glazed door with sidelights, and all these openings have renewed 20th-century glazing. There is also a similar round-headed opening on the south-east side.

Inside, the building retains its original 1885 Pollitt & Wigzell steam engine, which is a unique three-piston rod tandem, compound condensing design made solely by Pollitt & Wigzell. This is the only known surviving long stroke example of this engine. Originally named Empress, it was re-named Violet after being overhauled in 1906, following the birth of the owner's daughter, G H Norton.