Whitley Bridge Mill was originally built in 1870s by John and Thomas Croysdale. Powered by electricity and steam, the mill utilised roller milling, a technique that had revolutionised the flour industry. For more than 100 years the mill was owned by James Bowman & Sons Ltd. Bowmans ceased operations at the mill in 2016 after making the decision to move away from flour milling, and the mill was subsequently closed.
I can't remember what we failed but we did and ended up here with it nearby. Recently, I've noticed it getting quite hard to recount the tales from these places because it takes a while to share them and plus, we're quite sad and do a lot of trespass in between. We were curious after exploring Hovis Solent 6 months prior to see the difference in an older building of the same purpose. Despite boasting loud sensors that triggered a howling alarm, the structure was simple to enter and we spent a couple hours inside, before getting discouraged by the amount of rats. There was hundreds! And a fair few girly screams to accompany them...
Beginning with the roller floor, filled with immovable machines.
A lone roller on the floor above.
Lab.
Here is the link to our documentary styled video, comparing this mill to Hovis Solent in Southampton. We cover the building's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
