Hartford Mill

This was a pleasant little Saturday afternoon mooch. Easy to find, in the Werneth area of Oldham.  Built in 1907 by the Hartford Mill (Oldham) Co Ltd. (Architect  F W Dixon) It was extended in 1920 and 1924. Closed in 1959 and used by Littlewoods as a mail order warehouse until 1992. The building is apparently awaiting demolition for Housing Market Renewal.

There appears to be severe fire damage. None of the glass in the windows is left. It really is a shell of a building.

 

 

 

 

 

The usual display of 'nature fighting back'.

 

 

 

 

 

It was an 'easy access' sort of an explore. So we ventured inside.

 

 

The staircase rapidly declines the further up you venture. We decided against going up the very last bit of stairway due to the myriad pigeon poo and the fact that the stairs looked like they might disintegrate at any minute!

 

 

Each floor had an open expanse of mill floor, supported by columns.

 

 

 

 

Nice bit of debris left on first floor.

 

 

Pleasing example of peeling paint.

 

 

View from tower about half way up.

 

 

Pipes.

 

 

Colourful peeling paint.

 

 

 

A bit more colour on the staircase.

 

 

Part of the boiler room, complete with Victorian tiles.

 

 

Outhouse which had clearly suffered badly from fire-damage.

 

 

The fabulous chimney. Don't know how tall it is but you can spot it from quite a way off. A real 'landmark'.

 

 

Round the back of the building, near the boiler room.

 

 

Some brave souls have left climbing gear on the chimney. Pity it was too far up to reach! Not much to say about the place. Sadly, it will soon be gone and little box houses will replace it.