Rosemellyn China Clay Works Engine House At Sx 007600

The engine house at the former Rosemellyn China Clay Works dates from the late 19th century and is constructed of granite rubble and brick. It features an unusually large rectangular plan and includes a circular chimney located at the front right corner. A deep channel extends directly away from the rear of the engine house, which was used for pumping from the china clay pit through a system of flat rods that ran through a tunnel to the pit. This channel housed the machinery.

The front wall of the engine house has a round arched opening at the upper level, with a granite cill that serves as a lintel for the lower door. The chimney is circular and tapered, measuring about 4 meters in diameter at the base, and has a round-arched inspection hole with a brick head at the base. The lower stage of the chimney is made of granite rubble, with a brick collar, while the upper stage continues in brick and features a cornice.

On the left side of the building, there are three round-arched openings with brick surrounds at the upper ground floor level, although these are partially demolished. The rear bob wall also has a round-arched opening, and inside, there is a pit located towards the rear of the engine house. The deep channel at the rear runs away at right angles from the engine house.