A bit of History.............
Tone Mill is an extensive industrial site comprising of around 25 buildings which until very recently produced fine woollen fabric. The site has been grade two listed due to its significant industrial heritage particularly in respect of the machinery and infrastructure relating to the dying and fulling processes together with the equipment and machinery associated with three types of power generation; water, steam and electricity.
Tone Mills (part 1) is dyeing and fulling works is a complete water-powered cloth finishing works, established by the Fox Brothers and Co at the confluence of the River Tone and the Back Stream and dates from 1830. The remains of the water wheel remain in-situ (as pictured) and so too do all the line shafting and gearing. The Mill later had an electric motor installed to supplement the water-wheel during times of drought, although the water wheel continued to be used for many decades after. A Fulling area, where wet cloth was dried, scoured, cleaned and milled to the desired finish. A dying room, adjacent to the fulling area which specialised in producing colouring.
The associated machinery for all the stages of production are all in-situ, making it an industrial archaeologists paradise.
The works finally closed in 2000 and production was moved to a more contemporary location. The buildings and machinery are Grade II* listed.
The Explore...............
It was an early start, dark and cold morning meeting with Camera Shy.
The drive south took some time but we were there before light. We met two other great guys 'non members', Marty and Timmy and entered the buildings waitin' for sunrise. 
This has been on my list for ages and it did not fail to disappoint, the site was fab.
I hope you enjoyed the pics, part 2 is from another part of the site at the opposite side of the town.
Will Knot
Tone Mill is an extensive industrial site comprising of around 25 buildings which until very recently produced fine woollen fabric. The site has been grade two listed due to its significant industrial heritage particularly in respect of the machinery and infrastructure relating to the dying and fulling processes together with the equipment and machinery associated with three types of power generation; water, steam and electricity.
Tone Mills (part 1) is dyeing and fulling works is a complete water-powered cloth finishing works, established by the Fox Brothers and Co at the confluence of the River Tone and the Back Stream and dates from 1830. The remains of the water wheel remain in-situ (as pictured) and so too do all the line shafting and gearing. The Mill later had an electric motor installed to supplement the water-wheel during times of drought, although the water wheel continued to be used for many decades after. A Fulling area, where wet cloth was dried, scoured, cleaned and milled to the desired finish. A dying room, adjacent to the fulling area which specialised in producing colouring.
The associated machinery for all the stages of production are all in-situ, making it an industrial archaeologists paradise.
The works finally closed in 2000 and production was moved to a more contemporary location. The buildings and machinery are Grade II* listed.
The Explore...............
It was an early start, dark and cold morning meeting with Camera Shy.
The drive south took some time but we were there before light. We met two other great guys 'non members', Marty and Timmy and entered the buildings waitin' for sunrise. This has been on my list for ages and it did not fail to disappoint, the site was fab.
I hope you enjoyed the pics, part 2 is from another part of the site at the opposite side of the town.
Will Knot
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