Goit Stock Mill

Goit Stock circular walk
Once across the bridge, the walking route turns back and goes up the hillside a little, out of the steep gorge that the river runs through. I was a little nervous walking past the cows as they had calves but they seemed more interested in paddling in the cool water on what was quite a warm day.

The hawthorn blossom is really abundant this year - there will be a good crop of berries later.

On this side of the valley there is an old flue chimney, the last remnant of Goit Stock Mill, which had a very interesting history. Built as a cotton mill towards the end of the 18th century (1700s) it was initially water-powered and then converted to steam but cotton production ceased in 1860. In 1865 it became a pig farm, and then in 1919, the landowner William Ferrand sold the land and it became Happy Valley Pleasure Resort. There was boating on the mill lake, a café and ballroom in the mill itself and all sorts of other entertainment on offer for the enjoyment of people from the nearby towns and cities. It flourished until a disastrous fire at Easter 1927, which destroyed the ballroom. Repairs were made but the Resort never regained its popularity and it closed in 1932.