Barrow Bridge Chimney

Built in 1863, Barrow Bridge chimney was part of the old Halliwell Bleach works and is now a local landmark and listed building.

At around 80 metres tall the chimney at Barrow Bridge is visible for miles around and is appealing due to it’s now-rural setting, unlike other preserved remains of the industrial age. Visitors to nearby Moss Bank Park are treated to a good view and this is an ideal place from which to observe Peregrines when they are at home on the ledge near the top of the tower.

Octagonal, tapering, and with moulded cap, the chimney was part of the power system of the nearby Halliwell Bleach Works. The works were founded by Peter Ainsworth in 1739, and acquired a reputation in the early C19 for the early use of chlorine gas in the bleaching process, under the direction of Richard Ainsworth. The chimney is now the principal surviving relic of the bleach works. (Longworth J: The Cotton Mills of Bolton: Bolton: 1987).

There is a dangerous and dirty but “well-preserved” and extremely interesting brick flue system that leads almost to the base of the chimney. The flue did used to access the base of the chimney from two points but that part of the tunnels was blocked by deliberate collapse during the time the chimney was refurbished and repaired - I think in the 1990’s. The left-hand section led into the base of Barrow Bridge chimney, the right-hand tunnel led down to a smaller chimney or other circular structure further down the valley side.

We visited the flue system around 2008 and had a good look round despite the obvious danger of brick-falls or tunnel collapse. The place was knee deep in old soot but large, spacious and surprisingly long. Great example of an old-style brick tunnel.

Around the area of the chimney are a few remains of the old bleachworks and later metal works including large stone troughs and the exposed end of a stone aqueduct system. The aqueduct appears to have been fed from a reservoir pond which was in turn fed from the old “canal” system at Moss Bank - across the road.

Old Smokey

An underground 19th Century brick flue system for Barrow Bridge chimney and the Halliewell Bleach Works. Entrance is made through an opening on a hillside that appears to be part of the original construction. The entrance is mid way along the flue. On the left, some fallen bricks reveal the structure to be formed from an interesting double layer of bricks. The right hand section of the flue system starts with a corrugated metal ceiling that is supported by stout wooden beams. This seems to have been cut into the brickwork as an alteration to the original construction. After a short distance the tunnel becomes square in section. After some distance a bend is reached. Masses of black soot coat the tunnel walls and massive drifts of soot cover the floor, this has been washed away in channels by water seeping into the structure from the soil above. The soot sparkles in the torchlight where water drops from the ceiling have formed the soot into strange spires. Roots from plants protrude from the ceiling and walls, in some places forcing bricks out. Where the soot has been washed away, a brick floor of similar construction to the walls is revealed. At the end of the flue tunnel the flue splits into two smaller tunnels, both blocked by probably intentional collapses. The ceiling just before the split is constructed from metal beams. The left branch appears to travel upwards, probably towards the chimney. The right branch travelled downwards, towards the site of a small, round opening below, this purpose of this is unknown. These photos are from an explore we did in 2008, we called it ‘Old Smokey’ in the urbex tradition.

Old Smokey has loose bricks everywhere and a disconcerting tilt to the whole structure, it’s also knee deep in wet, black soot - Do not go in here…

Created: 27  November  2016  Edited: 29  November  2023