Tales of the Urban Explorer : Callis Mill
Callis Mill is a little further afield than usual, between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire.
There is little in the way of anything interesting in the former town, with the serial killer, Harold Shipman's surgery being demolished several years ago. Now that would have been something!
It’s crazy that my late father stood the market on Todmorden in the nineties and met the bloke several times as he was a frequent visitor. He’s dead now after hanging himself in jail.
From the bird's eye view on Google maps, the mill looked partly demolished but we got more than we had expected on arrival. While it's true the main part is flattened, the walls are still intact with plenty of graffiti to boot.
We drove past the entrance and looked for a way to turn around before noticing a closed up pub on Halifax road. The place didn’t half look creepy and it’s one we have bookmarked to re-visit soon.
We couldn’t help but have a little snoop around and it was apparent that the place was sealed but not quite well enough. This one requires some ‘extra equipment’ and we will be back.
Callis Mill was simply a walk-in, and as we figured a large part if it was gone, or so we thought. Some walls were still partly intact and full of graffiti.
This ‘main part' was demolished in the mid-'70s, there is some additional information here.
At the far end, we spotted something. Someone had brought along a portable sledgehammer and made a nice hole in the building at the edge of the large open area so we shuffled inside for a look.
It looked like a huge garage inside and the paint spray dickheads had really gone to work. Try as we might we couldn’t find much in this one big room and so we left by way of the hole and made for the main course.
I don’t generally reveal access points unless it’s quite obvious which it is in the case of Callis Mill.
Either way, you need to crawl through an opening to get in. There’s a new building that appears to be bolted on to the old factory and this was our way in.
The interior was dark and I was glad of the large light we had brought. The vandals once again had been frivolous with their spray paints and it was messy inside.
What struck us both was the building was quite new, and could easily be renovated into flats or housing.
It’s a shame the place is in the middle of nowhere with little amenities save a bus stop right next to the entrance.
This burnt smashed glass made for some interesting photography.
Some dodgy dude going upstairs.
Up there was much the same, with lots of graffiti damage but a solid stable building that would be great shelter apart from all the place being trashed and windows smashed.
Here we found the connecting room to the main old factory that was much dodgier underfoot.
@goblinknackers was poking around in a small room and found a bill of materials and a restaurant bill, both from 1989.
Il Mulino was my late father’s favourite restaurant in nearby Hebden Bridge. We couldn’t find any other personal items, as much as we searched.
Walking through the old mill we descended into the spooky part that was dark and gloomy. This large open area was home to a bunch of pigeons who were not happy with our intrusion.
This part was quite beat up with holes in the roof and more typical of a 19th-century mill.
Doubling back, we climbed some very ropey stairs to the top floor which had been filled with quite a lot of greenery. This looked like the old offices as we could clearly see partitions.
The floor was soft and squishy in parts. That’s what large holes in the roof do for you! It seems strange that what looks like quite new partitioning is in this kind of state.
Some words of wisdom had been written here. This is what I have waited all my life to read.
We headed back down the stairs and crawled through the other exit, to find a very rusty safe. It was quite empty, the contents of cash long gone.
I took this outside shot just to remember how new part of this building is. Why has it ended up like this?
There are other entrances to the mill, some with barbed wire and other deterrents preventing would-be intruders from getting in. They don't work so well when the front gate is wide open.
Callis Mills wasn’t a bad place to visit, was memorable and different as all of them are.
I think at some point the new part of the building may be sold, but the old part is likely protected and demolishing it may prove challenging for the owners.
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Did you ever make it to Walkley Clogs Mill? Sadly looks like it will be demolished after a fire last week - when it was a building with much potential and history.
WHAT? Damn.. we scouted it 3 weeks ago and it looked quite sealed. Thanks for the info though, is it close by to you?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-49195966
Yes about 5 miles - only went in once 15-20 years ago when it was operating as retail mill.
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Those were some great shots! That is a pretty new looking building. It must have just been a bad location or something. A lot of times things just close like that and we never really know why... This looks like it was a pretty lengthy explore for you.
This has to be one of your most colourful visits!! I did chuckle at the Dead Inside but because at first I thought it was Dad Inside :0D
Most of the colour was the spray paints. They really went to town on this one. The top floor was a bit creaky with all the plants growing in there, one day I'll fall through one of these damn floors!
That's always the danger buzz is deciding whether or not to go up some ropy stairs!
Sometimes there is no stairs, and climbing must be done.. depends on how much you want to see.
Climbing is good. Gloves are handy!
They are essential Urbex tools, and I still have to get some. That and a few other things.
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That is crazy about your father meeting him and what a cool place to explore
Never afraid the building will colapse while you're in?
Great report, thanks !!
Building.. no, floor.. yes! I'm a little more careful than @goblinknackers who just goes tromping over these dodgy floors.., the buildings have been standing for 200 years.. they are old but generally sturdy.
I truly love Urbex - and will make sure I get the exact location from you if I'm ever in the neighbourhood. The Netherlands is a country that cleans up EVERYTHING so no real Urbex here. Belgium is 'better' at keeping some locations for nature to grab on to ;-)
That would be bad for me, there's lots here but you have to find them, and then try and get in without damaging anything.
There's some great ones in Belgium, I sent a link to @daan ages ago but he told me most were far away.
The ones on that link were, but we do have lots of old derelict buildings in the neighborhood. Maybe they're just not known as urbex locations?
Try looking for stuff around Leuven, that's the area where I live.
Very interesting visit and hobby in general.
“I took this outside shot just to remember how new part of this building is. Why has it ended up like this”
I’m surprised at this too but I guess that the second law of thermodynamics has proved to be true again.
If only they were two a penny. It's getting harder to find these, and when you do they can be inaccessible or even worse demolished.
Every one is different, and a unique experience.. that's the attraction.
We're glad that you're still fining them. I really enjoy it when you find the odd document here and there!
That Paul... always taking shits...
I do generally avoid taking photo's of the crapper but this one was so colourful it just had to be done.
Can't say I have ever been so desperate to use one yet as there's never any bog paper. Damn inconsiderate if you ask me.
These are some solid shots. The closest thing I get around here are abandoned farm yards. Most of those are gone though and the ones remaining are dangerous due to guns and owners of guns.
These are always like a train wreck...I cant stop checking them out lol.
Some are better than others, much graffiti at this one!