I came across this while heading to Gibson Mill, a National Trust place further up Hardcastle Crags valley.
The buildings themselves were completely empty, but the waterworks were quite interesting.
History. A cotton mill called Upper Midge Hole Mill is shown in this position on an 1847 map, with another mill (Lower Midge Hole Mill) down the hill closer to Hebden Beck.
By the 1890s the buildings had grown to become Crimsworth Dye Works, which closed in 1958.
The final occupier was the Hebden Dyeing and Finishing Company Ltd., one of the last textile processing firms in the area, which ceased operations in 2009.
The site is due to be demolished for new housing.
A 1934 map together with the current satellite view - note the large mill pond fed by a stream (Kitling Clough) coming down from the north.
Roadside view - a motley collection of sheds.
From behind - someone has had the slates.
The remains of one the original buildings which bordered the mill pond.
Tthere are a number of roosting boxes for bats and birds scattered around to rehouse the local wildlife when the works are finally demolished.
Another rear view taken for comparison with an 1896 photo. The chimney on the left was still standing until fairly recently.
The mill pond, which is now silted and overgrown is clearly visible.
Views along the front and rear of the long dam wall for the pond, and a water control.
Pictures of the inside in no particular order - the buildings are all ages and shapes, several storeys high in places.
The only section of line shafting I noticed up near the roof - falling water can be heard from behind the wall to the right.
The source of the noise - a small waterfall maybe 5 m high, which may have powered a waterwheel for the original cotton mill.
There are various openings in the walls which could have been for for an axle but there doesn’t seem to be enough space for a full sized wheel.
Subsequent alterations may have changed the layout I suppose.
The water goes under the buildings and road and emerges in a field about 100 yards down hill - looking back up from the entrance.
A comely culvert, but it’s only about 3 ft high and wasn’t worth the backache to shuffle up and check that it connected to the waterfall.
I spent so long pottering around here that in the end there wasn’t enough time for the National Trust place - now of course it’s closed until further notice.
The buildings themselves were completely empty, but the waterworks were quite interesting.
History. A cotton mill called Upper Midge Hole Mill is shown in this position on an 1847 map, with another mill (Lower Midge Hole Mill) down the hill closer to Hebden Beck.
By the 1890s the buildings had grown to become Crimsworth Dye Works, which closed in 1958.
The final occupier was the Hebden Dyeing and Finishing Company Ltd., one of the last textile processing firms in the area, which ceased operations in 2009.
The site is due to be demolished for new housing.
A 1934 map together with the current satellite view - note the large mill pond fed by a stream (Kitling Clough) coming down from the north.
Roadside view - a motley collection of sheds.
From behind - someone has had the slates.
The remains of one the original buildings which bordered the mill pond.
Tthere are a number of roosting boxes for bats and birds scattered around to rehouse the local wildlife when the works are finally demolished.
Another rear view taken for comparison with an 1896 photo. The chimney on the left was still standing until fairly recently.
The mill pond, which is now silted and overgrown is clearly visible.
Views along the front and rear of the long dam wall for the pond, and a water control.
Pictures of the inside in no particular order - the buildings are all ages and shapes, several storeys high in places.
The only section of line shafting I noticed up near the roof - falling water can be heard from behind the wall to the right.
The source of the noise - a small waterfall maybe 5 m high, which may have powered a waterwheel for the original cotton mill.
There are various openings in the walls which could have been for for an axle but there doesn’t seem to be enough space for a full sized wheel.
Subsequent alterations may have changed the layout I suppose.
The water goes under the buildings and road and emerges in a field about 100 yards down hill - looking back up from the entrance.
A comely culvert, but it’s only about 3 ft high and wasn’t worth the backache to shuffle up and check that it connected to the waterfall.
I spent so long pottering around here that in the end there wasn’t enough time for the National Trust place - now of course it’s closed until further notice.
Last edited:
