Written by Astrid Hansen Downstream from Hallas Bridge, Hewenden Beck undergoes a name change and it is as Hallas Beck that it cascades over the spectacular falls, where the remains of a stone table can still be seen. This was a favourite picnic spot for members of the Ferrand family who owned St. Ives estate, including this valley. Further on still, Cowhouse Beck joins … [Read more...]
Mills of the Hewenden Valley (Hewenden Mill) – part 2
Written by Astrid Hansen In the early years of the 19th century, Hallas Bridge was a prosperous hamlet. Today’s secluded country cottages once housed workers at two more of the valley’s cotton spinning mills, while others would have walked in from surrounding villages. It is hard to say exactly when Bents Mill was built. Some sources date it at 1810 but this is more … [Read more...]
Mills of the Hewenden Valley (Hewenden Mill) – part 1
Written by Astrid Hansen It is hard now to picture the beautiful, peaceful Hewenden valley, with its waterfalls and bluebell woods, as a hive of industry even though fascinating reminders of the past can still be seen. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, textile production in England gradually changed from a hand worked cottage industry, with spinning mechanised some years … [Read more...]