1. The History
Tansley Wood Mills are located in the Derbyshire village of Lumsdale, just outside of Matlock. It has been the site of industrial buildings from right back in the second half of the 1700’s. The first mill buildings were constructed in 1783 by Messrs Osgathorpe and Prestwidge to manufacture candlewick from flax waste, shortly after the expiry of one of Richard Arkwright's. However, due to financial issues, the mill went bankrupt around 1792.
The mill was then taken over by local mill magnet, Miss Frances Willoughby, who, along with her partner, John Radford, developed the site, constructing the dam, improving watercourses, and enlarging the mill complex. In 1807, historical records refer to it as being one of only four such mills in the county to be producing candlewick. Additionally, Edward Radford built a large spinning and candlewick mill here in 1799, with a mill that performed both doubling and bleaching also added latterly. In the 1840s, the mill was in the ownership of the Radford family with Thomas and Edward Radford’s business interests described as being the manufacture of linen and cotton candlewicks. An 1851 agreement referring to water rights was the last recorded reference to making candlewick, although production continued until 1871, along with the activities of the bleach works. From 1871, the property was then leased to a firm of worsted spinners (a mid-weight yarn used for sweaters, cardigans, scarves, hats, and other garments) until 1889, when the Radford family found a new leasee in shape of Frederick Henry Drabble. The local waste merchant, fuller and bleacher extensively developed the site and continued their hosiery waste business until 1955, after which time they concentrated on bleaching, dyeing and finishing. Buildings surplus to their requirement were used to form a small industrial estate. Drabbles continued operating from the mill until July 1999, ending over a century’s long association with the mill.
The Wood Mill was Grade II Listed in September 2000. As businesses vacated the small business park, the mill complex gradually fell into dereliction. In 2008, plans to convert the mill building to create 17 residential units, convert the garneting sheds into four craftwork units and conversion of the old forge building into cafe/bar/restaurant with B & B accommodation were submitted. However, they never came to fruition. In recent times the site was occupied by somebody living in a caravan on site and running what appears to have been a second-hand car repairers. Now they have vacated the site, it remains unoccupied and its future uncertain as currently there are no plans for redeveloping the site.
2. The Explore
Had this place on my radar for ages. Had a couple of failed attempts in the past. On the first occasion a good part of the site was live. Second time there was some bloke living in a caravan with his dig. Most likely something to do with the car business that was being run from there. Now though the mill is completely abandoned and looking like a set out of Car Apocalypse Now. There’s smashed up cars, car parts and tyres strewn all over the place. The newer industrial buildings are pretty trashed and the old house a shell, leaving the original three-storey mill the most interesting thing to look at. All the car detritus does detract a little from the place, but worth an hour of your time having a look see.
And just quickly to say, what a difference a really nice day makes when photographing these types of places!
3. The Pictures
Round the back we go:
And into the first building.
Quick peek up the lift shaft:
Proof of the original owners:
Holy-Moly, it’s an old Range Rover:
Next, it’s up the stairs to the top floor:
And it’s sweeping views:
Room above the top the lift shaft:
And back down again:
This bit hasn’t fared so well:
Loving the old chimney:
This was the caravan the chap with the dog used to live in:
Smashed car windscreen:
Pretty boring old industrial unit:
And another:
On to the old house.
Still some wood panelling downstairs:
The tiling round this smaller fireplace is nice:
Up-stairs is a bit bleak:
And back out again:
Tansley Wood Mills are located in the Derbyshire village of Lumsdale, just outside of Matlock. It has been the site of industrial buildings from right back in the second half of the 1700’s. The first mill buildings were constructed in 1783 by Messrs Osgathorpe and Prestwidge to manufacture candlewick from flax waste, shortly after the expiry of one of Richard Arkwright's. However, due to financial issues, the mill went bankrupt around 1792.
The mill was then taken over by local mill magnet, Miss Frances Willoughby, who, along with her partner, John Radford, developed the site, constructing the dam, improving watercourses, and enlarging the mill complex. In 1807, historical records refer to it as being one of only four such mills in the county to be producing candlewick. Additionally, Edward Radford built a large spinning and candlewick mill here in 1799, with a mill that performed both doubling and bleaching also added latterly. In the 1840s, the mill was in the ownership of the Radford family with Thomas and Edward Radford’s business interests described as being the manufacture of linen and cotton candlewicks. An 1851 agreement referring to water rights was the last recorded reference to making candlewick, although production continued until 1871, along with the activities of the bleach works. From 1871, the property was then leased to a firm of worsted spinners (a mid-weight yarn used for sweaters, cardigans, scarves, hats, and other garments) until 1889, when the Radford family found a new leasee in shape of Frederick Henry Drabble. The local waste merchant, fuller and bleacher extensively developed the site and continued their hosiery waste business until 1955, after which time they concentrated on bleaching, dyeing and finishing. Buildings surplus to their requirement were used to form a small industrial estate. Drabbles continued operating from the mill until July 1999, ending over a century’s long association with the mill.
The Wood Mill was Grade II Listed in September 2000. As businesses vacated the small business park, the mill complex gradually fell into dereliction. In 2008, plans to convert the mill building to create 17 residential units, convert the garneting sheds into four craftwork units and conversion of the old forge building into cafe/bar/restaurant with B & B accommodation were submitted. However, they never came to fruition. In recent times the site was occupied by somebody living in a caravan on site and running what appears to have been a second-hand car repairers. Now they have vacated the site, it remains unoccupied and its future uncertain as currently there are no plans for redeveloping the site.
2. The Explore
Had this place on my radar for ages. Had a couple of failed attempts in the past. On the first occasion a good part of the site was live. Second time there was some bloke living in a caravan with his dig. Most likely something to do with the car business that was being run from there. Now though the mill is completely abandoned and looking like a set out of Car Apocalypse Now. There’s smashed up cars, car parts and tyres strewn all over the place. The newer industrial buildings are pretty trashed and the old house a shell, leaving the original three-storey mill the most interesting thing to look at. All the car detritus does detract a little from the place, but worth an hour of your time having a look see.
And just quickly to say, what a difference a really nice day makes when photographing these types of places!
3. The Pictures
Round the back we go:
And into the first building.
Quick peek up the lift shaft:
Proof of the original owners:
Holy-Moly, it’s an old Range Rover:
Next, it’s up the stairs to the top floor:
And it’s sweeping views:
Room above the top the lift shaft:
And back down again:
This bit hasn’t fared so well:
Loving the old chimney:
This was the caravan the chap with the dog used to live in:
Smashed car windscreen:
Pretty boring old industrial unit:
And another:
On to the old house.
Still some wood panelling downstairs:
The tiling round this smaller fireplace is nice:
Up-stairs is a bit bleak:
And back out again:
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