Description

SJ99SW WERNETH HYDE ROAD
Woodley
1/227 Woodley Mill
II

Cotton spinning mill (empty at time of inspection, March 1990). Built
1828 by Samuel Ashton, a member of an important north country
manufacturing family. Redbrick in English garden wall band; Welsh slate
roof. Internally iron framed with brick arches (for fireproofing). Main
range, aligned N/S, with contemporary short cross-wing to south; the
latter appears originally to have contained an internal and integral
engine house and stack which was superseded by another, attached to the
W end of the wing and since demolished. Office, latrine and stair turrets
contained within the inner (NW) angle of the two ranges. Power lines
(internal evidence of shafting) suggest that the mill was designed for
throstle (rather than mule) spinning. 3 floors and basement. Exterior:
principal (Hyde Road, E) elevation, 25 window range,the 5 windows forming
the end wall of the cross wing under a gable. 20 of the 1st floor windows
have original 38 small-paned timber frames, the others replaced mainly
with 9-pane frames. All windows with depressed brick arches. Stone
sills. 2 doorways (to window bays 16 and 23). Gable wall window to cross
wing. S side of cross wing an 8-window range; slope of land allows 4 full
storeys; all window openings original, some with small - paned frames,
otherwise a variety of replacements. One round-headed doorway with
fanlight, one later inserted doorway. Rear end wall of wing (W) with 3
lunettes to 1st floor (when this was the end wall), but considerably altered
when engine house extension built, since demolished leaving gable scar
and 2 upper floor doorways. Stair turret with windows to W face only, all
as elsewhere (one with small panes) except the top floor window which has
at round-headed arch (and small panes); round-headed doorway.
Latrine/Office block with one large and one small window to each floor.
Rear wall of main range, 17 windows, the basement full height (several
doors and windows altered or blocked), the upper floor fenestration
intact, with a number of original small-paned frames. Interior.
Remarkably intact. Straight-sided iron beams (ie an early form) on round-
section iron columns; shallow transverse brick arched vaults between.
Tiled floors. Upper floor above is not fire-proofed, with wooden cross
beams and few internal supports. Unusual roof, with tie beam and collar
both carrying raked struts; purlins. Many of the original doorways
survive with pegged surrounds and planked doors with strap hinges and
ledges. The transmission housings are intact to principal shop floors
Woodley Mill is one of the earliest fireproofed mills in Greater
Manchester.

Listing NGR: SJ9379092426

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26605706

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair