The Garden House

General information

The Garden House and Land at Lakes Road Marple Bridge

Site Location
The site developed by Samuel Oldknow lies between Marple Bridge and Mellor on a level bank of the River Goyt and was the focus of industry in the area when water supplied the motive power for manufacture and valleys were corridors of production and invention.

The mill complex based here was one of significant importance not only due to the product but also the lasting effect on the local township of Marple and local communities. The importation of workers from other parts of the country is evident by surnames now established in the surrounding area.

The Garden House is one of the important buildings associated with the mill and the only one with significant superstructure surviving above ground level.

Samuel Oldknow
Born in Lancashire, Samuel Oldknow (1756-1828) served an apprenticeship in his uncle's draper's shop at Nottingham. He then moved to Stockport where he established a mill for the manufacture of muslin, a finely-woven unbleached or white cloth produced from corded yarn mainly used to make curtains, sheets and dresses.
In 1793 Oldknow opened another mill at Mellor (Marple Bridge) and this was at the same time that he was the chief promoter for the construction of the Peak Forest Canal and Tramway (the oldest tramway tunnel in the country) to supply limestone and coal to a battery of kilns he built at Marple.
He was a highly motivated and ambitious man who wanted to expand his business interests but, as he was lacking in financial skills, he was unable to raise capital in London where he sold his textile products. As a result of this, he turned to his friend, Richard Arkwright Junior, for substantial loans, which were granted to him.
In 1787 Oldknow began to acquire a number of adjoining estates in Marple and Mellor, including the Bottoms Hall Estate and the water rights of the River Goyt. The millponds still remain and are today known as "Roman Lakes",
Amongst other local enterprises he became involved with improving the land on his estate at Mellor Mill (the land in question) It is said that the Garden House was built to house the ‘gardeners’ who cultivated the land to grow vegetables for the workers. (payment in kind). Known as "truck" this system was often used by unscrupulous employers to exploit their workers but Oldknow's enlightened and benevolent approach ensured that his workforce remained relatively happy and contented.

Mellor Mill
Mellor Mill was built between 1790 and 1793 and was the centre of the large estate owned and first developed by Samuel Olknow. It was one of the largest water powered mills in the country when first built.
The construction of Mellor Mill was a massive undertaking not only involving the construction of the mill itself, an imposing and handsome brick structure six storeys high and 400 feet long, but also the diversion of the River Goyt and the construction of a series of large millponds with a complicated system of tunnels, channels and wheel pits. Later additions included a corn mill.
The central wheel pit housed the 22 feet diameter "Wellington Wheel", with another added in 1815 to house the "Waterloo Wheel" plus their adjoining tunnels. Later conversion to steam power further added to the buildings and structures.
The estate and mill continued working after Oldknow’s death until a disastrous fire in 1892, which partly destroyed the main building and caused the mill to cease operations. The mill stood as a ruin until the 1930’s when demolition of the remaining superstructure took place. Almost nothing remains above ground today.

The Garden House
This property was built by Samuel Oldknow in relation to his neighbouring mill on land in his ownership on the bank of the River Goyt. Without doubt this housed workers involved in the horticultural activity on the land on which it stands. Involvement in improving land and livestock was a fashionable activity for people of his ilk and usefully supplied produce for his workforce.

Like all the structures associated with Samuel Oldknow, even tunnels, the house exhibits a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, with much unessential decoration. Although a single building it comprises two dwellings and a basement.

The house is constructed of pitch faced natural stone with dressed window and door surrounds under a gabled slate roof. Internally the rough stone masonry is lime plastered. The house has the appearance of rustic Gothic with formal elevations to front and sides. It is set within a fenced curtilage separating it from the track, field and surrounding woodland.

The accommodation comprises two dwellings (although the outward appearance is that of one only), basically on two floors with attic over. Beneath are two large vaulted cellars, which were evidently used to store produce from the horticultural activity on the field. The dwellings were occupied until the 1930’s and there are pipes for mains water and drainage to a septic tank.

Community Project
The area has very special qualities being a quiet enclave on the river bend amongst mature woodland and separated from surrounding habitation. The resources could be developed in a meaningful way for the benefit of the local and wider community complimenting and linking the adjacent leisure resources of Brabyns park and Roman Bridge Lakes; being easily accessed by rail, bus, walking and cycle ways.
The local history of Samuel Oldknow and Mellor Mill is encouraged by the council.

It is apparent that the Garden House is a considerable asset and a base for the owner’s related visions for a community based development plan relating to the following key elements:

The house, after consolidation and extension, is ideal as an interpretation and education centre for Oldknow and the mill (there being no other superstructure in the area) and linked to the mill site by a bridge across the river. School education visits are anticipated and catered for. A permanent exhibition designed by college students is planned for the basement area. Café providing employment opportunity. There is a large existing car park by the entrance to the land on Lakes Road en-route to the Roman Lakes leisure attraction.

Allow the track along the valley to be a permissible path linking the existing valley way from the village amenities, town, station, bus stops, park and leisure centres.

The land offers the opportunity to provide and develop complementary community resources, which respect the environment, all-accessible, ie. demonstrations of rural activities and crafts, forge and Bodging (a vineyard has been created); sensory garden; sculpture park; river angling; demonstration of self sufficiency and energy production for the facilities; organised outdoor activities and seasonal farmers markets and fairs; also corporate meeting facilities and quiet retreat opportunities.

The prospects are being explored for inclusion in the forthcoming development plan.