Burrs Mill Industrial Site at Walmersley, near Bury, Greater Manchester.

About a mile to the northwest of Bury town centre, near Walmersley, in Greater Man-chester, is the Burrs Mill Industrial site at (OS Grid Ref: SD 79829 12654), which is on the north side of the River Irwell and beneath Castle Stead Iron Age hillfort. Here there used to be two cotton spinning mills and a coal pit, but nothing much of those buildings remains today, apart from a fairly intact row of workers cottagers, the mill lodges, the tall chimney (built in 1850 and 120 foot-high) and some stonework belonging to the mills themselves. The first of those mills, Burrs, was established in the late 18th century by the famous Peel family of Bury, making it the oldest in Bury. Later, in the early 19th century a second mill was established, just a little to the south, at Higher Woodhill by the Calrow family. But, very sadly, both mills closed in the early 1930s. In more recent years Burrs has become an Industrial Heritage site after the buildings were pulled down and the area levelled. It is now called 'Burrs Country Park'; and there is the 'Burrs Halt' on The East Lancashire Railway.

Red Rose Magazine (1989) has an article called: An Insight Into The Past - The Burrs Mill Site. In this we learn that:- "The Burrs is an area with a fascinating history and is fortunate that much still remains to be seen of its early development. The area extends to some 100 acres of mainly open land, much of it in agricultural use, and it lies to the north of Bury town centre in an attractive river-side setting.

"Throughout the Burrs is evidence of Bury's early industrialisation. The area reached its high point of activity during the late 18th and early 19th centuries with the development of two large mill complexes. In the last decade of the eighteenth century the Peel family established a large scale cotton mill at Burrs, together with a row of back-to-back cottages. The cottages still survive, albeit in a state of some dereliction, together with the chimney to the mill and some fragments of the mill itself.

"To the south, but linked by a possibly unique water-system, another cotton spinning mill was established by the Calrow family at Higher Woodhill during the early nineteenth century. Higher Woodhill comprised a community of a mill, four terraces of cottages, allotments, barn, chapel, school and shop. One terrace of houses and the barn remain, together with some remains of the mill and its water works.

"As the growth of industry turned its back on Burrs the site went into decline. Now the tide is turning and the Burrs could once again rise to prominence."

Red Rose Magazine (1989) in the article "The Burrs Mill Site" adds more information about Heritage, it says: "The Burrs area contains a wealth of historical features and industrial remains with the potential to give a fascinating insight into the life and development of settlements in the Irwell Valley. The Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit are currently engaged in the detailed investigation and recording of the areas' historical features and remains. A detailed research and social history investigation is also being carried out. As work progresses the emphasis will move on to the presentation and interpretation of the sites for visitors.

"With the area's wealth of early industrial related remains the opportunity presents itself to develop the Burrs as the Borough's main site of industrial interest. The areacould act as an 'open air museum' for other industrial artifacts and with the possibility of develo-ping a visitor centre and craft workshops the area could develop a strong industrial theme. With the 'Burrs Cottages' remaining virtually intact the industrial theme could put considerable emphasis on the social aspects of early industrialisation."

Much has changed at Burrs in the last 30 years or so, though the 120 foot high chimney is still there. Covering over 30 hectares, the 'Burrs Country Park' has water features, footpaths, scenic areas, a row of restored workers cottages and some ruins of the former cotton mills. There are also facilities for educational, heritage and archaeological activities, with regard to schools; as well as walking, picnicking, outdoor pursuits such as camping and fishing, and much more besides. There are also wildlife habitats and woodland areas, open spaces, wetland and water features such as mill lodges. There is also a cafe and a public house - The Brown Cow. A footpath leads around the base of Castle Stead Iron Age hillfort, and, there are some good panoramic views to be had. The East Lancashire Railway runs through the Country Park with a halt for visitors.

References & Related Websites:-

Red Rose Magazine - People and Places, Past and Present, Vol. 1 No 2, Millgate Publishing Ltd., Rossendale, Lancashire, August/September 1989.

https://lancashirepast.com/2020/12/19/burrs-mill-bury/

https://www.bury.gov.uk/Burrs/

https://www.visitnorthwest.com/sights/burrs-country-park/

https://www.visitnorthwest.com/sights/burrs-country-park/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g528789-d13964449-Reviews-Burrs_Country_Park-Bury_Greater_Manchester_England.html

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