Bradfield Water Treatment Works, Lower Bradfield, South Yorkshire – July 2017
Day two of Mookster and I’s Not particularly successful Northern Road Trip. We rose stupidly early as usual and missed breakfast; it’s always way too late in the morning!!! We parked my classic Volvo in the middle of the village and proceeded down to the Water Works, which looks rather prominent in the tiny, tiny rural village which feels incredibly secluded. By now it was around 6:30am and there were dog walkers around all of whom were friendly and gave us an obligatory “Good Morning”.
One particular chap who was very polite and wished us well wondered off, when he came back passed and we were scoping the joint, his body language changed instantly and he continued walking away. They must get this a lot! Pretty trashed in here, but it had a few nice shots inside!
Bradfield Water Works was built in 1913 for the filtering and treatment of water taken from the Dale Dike (the cause of the 1864 great flood of Sheffield); as well as the Agden reservoirs in the neighbouring Loxley Valley. The site was cutting edge technology back in its day and it even included the first telephone to be installed in Bradfield back in 1930 allegedly! By 1974, the Yorkshire Water Authority took over the Water Works, and then during the Thatcher Government a number of years later; the entire UK water industry was privatised with the Water Act of 1989. Eventually, the pumping house at Lower Bradfield was closed down in 1994 when a new pump house and Water Processing Plant was built elsewhere in the Loxley valley.
It has been said that the locals believe the building attracts unwanted visitors and is a “constant eyesore” and a “morbid reminder of Lower Bradfields grim past.” Which explains the looks we got!
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
More At:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/albums/72157686442257184
Day two of Mookster and I’s Not particularly successful Northern Road Trip. We rose stupidly early as usual and missed breakfast; it’s always way too late in the morning!!! We parked my classic Volvo in the middle of the village and proceeded down to the Water Works, which looks rather prominent in the tiny, tiny rural village which feels incredibly secluded. By now it was around 6:30am and there were dog walkers around all of whom were friendly and gave us an obligatory “Good Morning”.
One particular chap who was very polite and wished us well wondered off, when he came back passed and we were scoping the joint, his body language changed instantly and he continued walking away. They must get this a lot! Pretty trashed in here, but it had a few nice shots inside!
Bradfield Water Works was built in 1913 for the filtering and treatment of water taken from the Dale Dike (the cause of the 1864 great flood of Sheffield); as well as the Agden reservoirs in the neighbouring Loxley Valley. The site was cutting edge technology back in its day and it even included the first telephone to be installed in Bradfield back in 1930 allegedly! By 1974, the Yorkshire Water Authority took over the Water Works, and then during the Thatcher Government a number of years later; the entire UK water industry was privatised with the Water Act of 1989. Eventually, the pumping house at Lower Bradfield was closed down in 1994 when a new pump house and Water Processing Plant was built elsewhere in the Loxley valley.
It has been said that the locals believe the building attracts unwanted visitors and is a “constant eyesore” and a “morbid reminder of Lower Bradfields grim past.” Which explains the looks we got!
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
More At:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/albums/72157686442257184
Last edited by a moderator:
