Dale End Mill

Dale End Mill is a former integrated textile mill, initially converted from corn milling to cotton spinning in 1795, then adapted for worsted spinning in 1835 and weaving in 1850. The complex includes mid-19th century and later additions.

The buildings are constructed mainly of local rubble stone with stone slate roofs, some sections later glazed. The layout centres on a three-storey north-south range, with its southern four bays probably representing the original 18th century corn mill. Extending west from the middle of this range is a multi-phase two-to-three storey range that includes the mill office. A three-storey range with a mono-pitch roof extends east from the southern end of the central range, with an engine house occupying the ground floor. To the north stands a single-storey, five-bay north-light weaving shed. The water wheel house lies to the south, whilst a former boiler house, chimney and economiser occupy the far south-eastern corner.

The central block rises three storeys over 12 or 13 bays. Windows have plain surrounds with simple stone lintels and sills, mostly with replaced joinery. Openings are very regular in the northern two-thirds of the range but less so in the southern third, thought to be the original corn mill section. Ground floor windows opening into the weaving shed to the east may retain original small-paned joinery. A large arched cart entrance, now blocked, in the southern end of the west elevation is believed to be original. A similar archway at the northern end is modern. A small gabled turret with quoins and round-arched lancet windows in dressed stone is attached to the northern gable. A simpler turret once attached to the west elevation near the southern end has been removed. A ridge stack stands at the southern gable, whilst the northern gable ridge is finished with a small bellcote resembling a chimney stack. Near the centre of the ridge is a small roof ventilator with a pyramidal cap.

The west range divides into three sections. The first, abutting the central block, is three bays but shallow in depth. Quoining to the west indicates it was originally two storeys before being raised to three, with floor levels slightly lower than the central block. Lower floor openings are slightly irregular and include a doorway to the north elevation with monolithic jambs and lintel. Top floor windows are very regular. The next section is also now three storeys, with evidence of earlier lower height. This two-bay section has greater depth, extending further south. The north elevation includes an enlarged window with a girder lintel. Lower windows to the south elevation, below a 20th century steel balcony, are unaltered and retain original small-paned joinery. The western section is of similar depth but lower, being two storeys with a low attic. Its four bays include a near-central domestic-style doorway with two windows to each floor on the east and a large modern vehicle entrance to the west. The west gable has a tall round-arched lower window with a small attic window offset above. The southern side of this section is extended with a parallel two-storey range that is steel framed but stone clad. Between this building and the central block are remains of further outbuildings.

The east range is two storeys with attic and a north-facing single-pitched roof. A pair of tall round-arched windows with original joinery light the ground floor but now look into the attached single-storey weaving shed. Upper windows are similar to those of the central block. Attached to the blind south elevation is the waterwheel house with its triple-pitched roof and iron plate launder linking to the mill pond to the south-west. Attached to the east is a single-storey building, formerly a boiler house and mechanics' workshop.

The weaving shed is a five-bay north-light single-storey building extending from the central block and east range. Its east and north walls are of higher quality than the rest, being coursed squared stonework. The east wall is raised and coped, stepping up for each roof ridge. At the north-west corner is a short cross wing with a circular window set high in the raised and coped gable. The weaving shed roof retains several timber roof vents similar to that surviving on the central block's roof.

The chimney survives to full height, recorded as 90 feet (27.5 metres). It is square in plan, built of squared coursed masonry with metal strapping and a moulded stone cap. At the base are remains of an economiser consisting of a block of metal pipes partly contained in a ruined brick enclosure capped with concrete.

Inside the central block, stone-built partition walls within the northern end are modern. The stone staircase between ground and first floor near the centre is considered original. In the southern end, possibly extending into the east range, are mountings and substantial stone walling interpreted as relating to the steam engine installed in 1842. The roof structure demonstrates that the northern four bays are later than the rest. Although all trusses are queen post trusses, those of the northern four bays incorporate some ironwork and support back purlins, whereas most trusses are earlier in form, being traditionally jointed and pegged and supporting through purlins.

The west range includes the company office, lit by the two first floor windows of the westernmost section, which retains its original mid-Victorian joinery and fittings including a fireplace and an internal window allowing a view of the adjacent workroom.

On the ground floor of the east range, lit by the round-arched windows to the north elevation, are mountings for the horizontal steam engine installed in 1861. This room also retains gearing, line shafting and other remains of the power transmission system. Further evidence of the power system survives on the upper floors.

The water wheel house contains the 1861 water wheel surviving in situ but in deteriorating condition. This wheel is 44.5 feet in diameter and 5 feet wide (13.5 metres by 1.5 metres), being a pitch-back wheel turned by a 40-foot head of water to power a rim drive. The wheel has alternating timber and wrought iron spokes, with iron spokes crossing from the hub flange to the opposite rim flange, believed to have provided lateral stability. At least some spokes are later replacements and several are broken. The wheel's two rims are original cast iron, linked by oak boards with outer metal plates forming around 140-160 buckets, each of about 25 gallon capacity, the metal plates being late 20th century replacements. The rim is toothed to facilitate power take-off to a spur wheel linked via an axle to further gearing surviving within the ground floor of the east range. Within the wheel house there is also the header tank and mechanism for controlling water flow onto the wheel. The wheel pit is lined with cast iron plates designed to retain water in the buckets for as long as possible, with the tail race extending east-south-east for some 0.25 kilometres before joining the beck.

The weaving shed has a timber roof structure incorporating iron bracing, all supported on slim iron pillars which incorporate mountings for power transmission. Stone and blockwork partitions within the south-western and north-eastern parts of the shed are modern.