Old Lane Mill, Halifax Jan ' 14 snaps

I am a tosser. It's official. Many people may have already known this, and now I can clarify: it's true. I saw this and thought for a moment, oh, it's another mill. I did one of these last week. Then I realised that the majority of the Urbex folk from around the world would love to visit one of these places and here's me not being too excited.
Of course I was wrong, I loved it and was suitably scared and concerned my legs, which for the last 36 years have worked just fine may suddenly bend and spring me forward through a high up window. It would have served me right.

On the 21st of January, 1905, the worst nightmate of any mill owner came true, as fire ripped through Old Lane Mill, Halifax. It was the first mill fire of the year, but before the end, another three mills in a ten mile radius were badly damaged by fire.
Old Lane Mills


The first mill on the site was recorded in 1816, but this one was built in 1825. Two years later, in 1827, owner Akroyd built the first Jacquard looms in Britain, and the mill was iron-framed and fitted with stone floors – the first in any British mill – to support the machinery.
I love these old stairways. There was some cool old plaster, just visable higher up. Like a tit, I forgot to photograph it.



Today those stone floors are still there, stripped of machinery, but remants of old looms and chutes are still there.
Sunlight shines onto empty mill floors


Stone steps lead from floor to floor.


At first I was concerned that it was going to be empty. Thankfully there was some good stuff to see. Here is a no stair fire escape.


On the third floor, things got interesting. On the arched ceiling were the remains of looms.


Another floor, another part of a loom


Floor six


At the top of the stone stars is a circular window. The view is Dean Clough Mills, Halifax


Beautiful top floor of the mill. Apparently the nightwatchman used to fire a blunderbuss each night to signal he was on duty. Thankfully, he is no longer there...


Outside the mill are the remains of the engine house


The Mill, veiwed from Old Lane


Between the engine house and the mill


My favourite picture. This is the Lee Bank tunnel northern portal. It was 267 tards long. Sadly the southern portal is buried under the spoil from the widening of the Keighley road.


Apologies for the cartoon like appearance of some these snaps. Top tip. To avoid a large number of very disappointing washed out and grainy pictures when you get home, always check your ISO isn't set to 1600 when shooting in bright sun.