Barrow Bridge Chimney

Barrow Bridge Chimney is in Bolton

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.

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.