The rivers of the south Pennine divide share similar characteristics, they begin in high, rain soaked moorland, places as remote as anywhere in England, before quickly taking on an industrial aspect in the valleys. The River Holme is no exception. These spate rivers have been controlled since the earliest days of the industrial revolution, first as a source of power, then as a supply of drinking water to reservoirs for the burgeoning towns and cities of the north. This is a walk where the upland river meets human occupation.
For sale, one mill
Overgrown path, Hinchliffe Mill
House backs by river, Hincliffe Mill
Snicket steps, or is it a ginnel?
The river bank is full of sluices and culverts from former industrial uses
Last time I walked this way the mill was still in use. All's quiet now
This mill seems to have been extended and modernised in boom times. It's put to artisan use now
The river holds a small and fragile brown trout population, which will become even smaller and more fragile with such fishing tactics
Bridge to cricket club, locked
Art Deco mill by River Holme, sold
Prime building land
Camp site and caravan park, Thongsbridge
New industrial unit
Brownfield meets greenfield. Most of it is houses in waiting.
Demand
As the river has never been navigable, my guess is this was a lavatory
Millstone grit outcrop at Brockholes, with mill backing on to river
