Low Mill, Keighley, Dec 08 8 pics and 1 painting

In 1780, the first cotton mill in Yorkshire was built, harnessing the power of the river Worth. Low Mill was built by Ramsdens of Halifax and completed by Clayton and Walshman from Lancashire. It used a series of channels to direct and regulate the water flow to power the cotton spinning machines.
Today the Grade 1 listed mill lies empty and forgotten next to Aldi. To be honest it looked fairly uninteresting as we passed, but there seemed to be some interesting machinery in front of it. It would be rude not to check it out.
First view


Inside was stripped completely, and no stairs remained. A couple of cans lay disgarded on the floor.


It looks like things are slowly happening here, with the odd wall being skimmed and fairly newish pillars supporting the floor.


The main interest to this was outside, and looked an exciting combination of gears to raise up a sluice.


By 1788 there was a warehouse and a steam engine which was used to pump water back into the dam. Looking up at the gate.


The machinery looked to be in excellent working order. I'm afraid to confess a school boy error at this part of the miniexplore in not trying it. Am I banned from the site?


A view towards the River Worth from the sluice gate



In 1829 the three private fire engines serving Low Mill were made available for public use, with a fire bell fitted at the mill in 1846. Low Mill was bought by John Craven c.1840 and converted to worsted manufacture. Today there was no sign of fire engines or bell.
By 1823 there were 44 worsted manufacturers in Keighley.


After a Water Colour by Harry Turner from One Hundred Years The Parish of Keighley 1848-1958 by Harry Bancroft, Asa Briggs and Eric Treacy, 1948, book collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Not a lot to see here, but maybe worthy of a mention as it was the first cotton mill in Yorkshire, probably due it's close proximity to Lancashire.

Whats happened to the rest of the buildings. There was a lovely cobbled archway leading into the mill yard.

Hi mate. Sadly that was the only building left, which was a shame. No archway, or cobbles, just Aldi.

Just been in there tonight, Be careful if you go exploring in there now, as the local junkies seem to using it as a shooting gallery, needles and paraphanalia everywhere.Also ground floor doors and windows are sealed, but access is still easy.

I can remember the old site before it was developed. 2 or 3 big mills down there.
Cavendish street used to have some great explores before ppoundstretcher and the other shops were there. Can anyone remember the big mill there?? huge mill pond with carp in it.
Also the old cinema next the mill entrance? Went playing in there as a kid. would love to see some old pics of them.