Beoley Mill

Beoley Mill is a needle mill dating from the 18th century, which was later converted to an electro-plating factory and subsequently adapted for domestic use. The building retains 19th and 20th century additions and alterations throughout.

The structure is built of colour-washed red brick laid in English bond, with patches in stretcher bond, beneath a gabled slate roof. It follows the characteristic pattern of a long, thin manufacturing building with numerous closely-set windows, particularly along the south side, suited to detailed bench work. The mill is approximately 3 metres deep with three storeys and an attic floor. A small forge, now bricked up, was set into the southern wall at first-floor level, likely for hardening and tempering work. The ground floor functions as a semi-basement, exposed on the south side but masked on the north by the mill pond dam. Entrances are now positioned at the gable ends and to the rear. The building has been converted to domestic use at first and second floor levels, with inserted partition walls and the principal reception space at second-floor level.

The southern front, facing the road, has seven bays of windows to the ground and first floors and nine to the second floor. The windows are casements with cambered heads; all frames appear to have been replaced in the 20th century, with metal frames to the top floor and a mixture of metal and wood to the two lower floors. Window openings are taller at ground-floor level. The rightmost bay contains four-light windows on all floors; all others have two or three lights. Blank walling at right of centre marks a chimney flue rising to a stack, presumably serving a furnace associated with detailed work on each floor. A dentilled band runs along the building at eaves level, and circular tie rod plates appear between the floors.

The eastern front has a goods door to the right with a 20th century H-beam lintel. Above are two bays to the first and second floors, each of three lights. The gable end has a taking-in door with canopy and winch.

The western front features a two-storey 19th century addition to the left, with a doorway and garage doors at ground floor level and two 20th century single-pane windows above. At the left of this, the gable end of the original building has a first-floor doorway approached by stairs and two-light windows to the second floor and attic.

The north front, facing the mill pond, is largely masked by a 20th century addition at ground and first floor levels. The ground floor is obscured by the mill pond dam. Clapboarded walling appears on the first floor rear at left, while a continuous row of paired windows with round-arched heads runs at second floor level. At right, the original brick rear wall is exposed at first-floor level, showing a three-light casement and a doorway. A brick wall and pier support the projecting first floor, which has continuous glazing. A lean-to awning with corrugated clear plastic sheeting, supported by metal poles, runs along the entire 20th century frontage, with similar sheeting forming the roof of the extension. A late 19th century addition to the north-west shows two gable ends at far right.

Interior ceilings are mainly boarded at ground and first floor levels. Beams with chamfered edges and stepped end stops are visible at first and second floors. Wooden wall posts have been inserted to prop beam ends at a later date, and metal H-shaped girders have been placed alongside beams for similar purposes. Floor boards, where exposed, are wide and have been patched. The wide, cross-axial hearth at the centre has been converted to domestic use and re-fronted with coursed stone. Parts of the original rear wall have been opened out at second floor level to provide access to the 20th century extension.

The attic displays two ranks of chamfered purlins to the roof. It was ceiled at one stage but this has been removed. Trusses have collars with pegged and bolted joints.