History
Standing on the edge of the grand Union canal in Harefield stands Harefield Limeworks. It is known locally as the Hanging Monkey due to a giant six-foot 'hanging monkey' which has been placed on a hoist at the very top of the derelict structure several storeys above the ground below.
The monkey is tied in place with chains rope and is positioned at an angle, its head drooping forwards, making it look like it has actually been 'hung'.
The Limeworks would have used chalk quarried from the surrounding hills and processed it into lime and quicklime to be used for concrete and agricultural purposes. The lime industry in Britain experienced a boom throughout the 18 and 1900s, before the advent of modern cement. Lime was used in many industries from construction to burials.
The site was used up until the First World War for various purposes, but most notably for all the processes associated with quarrying limestone (there is a limepit behind it).
There is some evidence of the building's continued use as apparently urban explores have found electricity connected to the site as late as 2007
although given the state of the building, it appears to have been long in decay.
Nobody quite knows just how the stuffed monkey got there, but at some point over the past two years it has acquired a friend. A Superman bear with a mask and a cape is suspended in a kayak from one of the gilders.
The Explore
So not really a great deal to see at this 1. wasn't the best but certinaly wasn't
the worst place ive explored!.
With it being only a 50min drive i thought id go check it out.
Not a bad mooch really, had it been further away i probaly wouldnt have bothered!
View attachment
Standing on the edge of the grand Union canal in Harefield stands Harefield Limeworks. It is known locally as the Hanging Monkey due to a giant six-foot 'hanging monkey' which has been placed on a hoist at the very top of the derelict structure several storeys above the ground below.
The monkey is tied in place with chains rope and is positioned at an angle, its head drooping forwards, making it look like it has actually been 'hung'.
The Limeworks would have used chalk quarried from the surrounding hills and processed it into lime and quicklime to be used for concrete and agricultural purposes. The lime industry in Britain experienced a boom throughout the 18 and 1900s, before the advent of modern cement. Lime was used in many industries from construction to burials.
The site was used up until the First World War for various purposes, but most notably for all the processes associated with quarrying limestone (there is a limepit behind it).
There is some evidence of the building's continued use as apparently urban explores have found electricity connected to the site as late as 2007
although given the state of the building, it appears to have been long in decay.
Nobody quite knows just how the stuffed monkey got there, but at some point over the past two years it has acquired a friend. A Superman bear with a mask and a cape is suspended in a kayak from one of the gilders.
The Explore
So not really a great deal to see at this 1. wasn't the best but certinaly wasn't
the worst place ive explored!.
With it being only a 50min drive i thought id go check it out.
Not a bad mooch really, had it been further away i probaly wouldnt have bothered!
View attachment
