Norden Chimney

The Forgotten Landmark of Norden: The Woodhouse Mill Chimney

Tucked away on a hill in Norden, Rochdale, the Woodhouse Mill chimney stands as one of the last surviving remnants of the area's once-thriving industrial past. Although the mill itself was left to decay and was eventually **demolished in 2020**, the chimney remains a striking and somewhat solemn reminder of local textile heritage.

First section of the feed

Looking towrads the second section

The second section

A steep incline about 15 feet

What makes the chimney particularly unique is its **brick-built flue**, which stretches approximately **250 feet** up the hillside when inside there is a sharp incline, drawing the eye along the landscape and toward the towering structure. This design was typical of 19th and early 20th-century mills, allowing smoke from the boilers to be vented away from the factory floor.

The chimney's **internal dimensions** measure roughly **1828.8 mm (6 feet) in height** and **1524 mm (5 feet) in width**, showcasing the scale of industrial engineering at the time. Positioned beside a nearby lodge and set atop the hill, it dominates the surrounding countryside, visible from various points across the township.

View of the chimney

Unfortunately, despite its historical significance, the chimney and surrounding flue have suffered over the years. **Sections of the wall have been demolished**, and the site has increasingly become a **target for illegal dumping and littering**, threatening its structural integrity and diminishing its visual impact.