Lost to the Valley: A Walk Around Staups Mill

The air feels thick with history here, damp and heavy. You can feel it in the air and see it in the rich greens that cling to every surface. I’ve come to explore the ruins of Staups Mill, a place lost to time in the quiet of a West Yorkshire valley.

Staups Mill, originally called Starling Mill, was a cotton mill built in the late 18th century. It relied on the force of Blackshawhead Clough for power, a stream that then marked the border between Lancashire and Yorkshire. It’s now more commonly known as Jumble Hole Clough.

As I walked down the path, the sound of the rushing water was a constant companion. It was this same water that seems to have sealed the mill's fate. On September 24, 1896, a dam collapsed, sending a torrent of water down the clough and severely damaging the mill. The story, for all intents and purposes, ends there. All that remains are the moss-covered stone walls that now stand as a monument to the past.

The ruins themselves are impressive, but they're also a reminder of the wild, untamed nature of this landscape. The landowner has put up signs and planted trees to prevent people from getting too close, a sensible move given the unstable appearance of the remaining structure. While I was careful to respect the boundaries and didn't attempt to get closer, I do wish I could have photographed the mill from the other side, where Jumble Hole Clough flows right up to it.

On my way back, a couple of thoughts struck me. First, why on earth would they have built a mill so far out here? It's a long way from the nearest settlements, making the daily commute and the transport of goods a significant challenge. Second, I couldn't help but think about the mill workers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Heading to and from work in the bleak winter months must have been an incredibly harsh existence.

The beauty of the area now stands in stark contrast to the hardship of that era. The woodland steps, the giant moss-covered boulders, and the stunning bluebells dotting the hillside all create an atmosphere of quiet, natural beauty. It’s a place where history and nature have merged into one, and the past is slowly being reclaimed by the earth.

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Jumble Hole Clough flowing past Staups Mill, this was as close as I got to the
ruins and due to careful camera cropping it looks a lot closer than it was.

I thought this picture had a similar look to the ones of the Amityville House,
with the 2 windows like eyes at the top.

One of the streams flowing off the surrounding moors and fields into
Jumble Hole Clough, at one time this would have been me stood in
Lancashire looking across to Yorkshire.

The path away from the mill towards Blackshawhead.

I have recently been made aware that the remains of Staups Mill have been demolished.

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The Ruined Church of St. Thomas à Becket, Heptonstall

There's something uniquely captivating about ancient ruins, especially when they stand sentinel amidst the everyday. Tucked away in the picturesque village of Heptonstall, nestled in the Upper Calder Valley, are the hauntingly beautiful remains of the original Heptonstall Parish Church, also known as the Church of St. Thomas à Becket, or at times, The Chapel of St Thomas the Martyr. I had the privilege of capturing these atmospheric scenes on a snowy day, November 19th, 2016, with my Nikon D3300.

The images transport you to a place where history whispers from every crumbling stone and frost-kissed archway. You can almost feel the chill wind that must have swept through its open spaces for centuries.

Originally constructed sometime in the late 12th to early 13th Century, this venerable church was a vital hub, serving the communities of Heptonstall, Erringden, Langfield, Stansfield, and Wadsworth. Its priests, appointed and funded by the Vicar of Halifax, ministered to the people living west of Halifax, a testament to its significant role in the spiritual life of the region.

The church's long history wasn't without its dramatic moments. Around the turn of the 16th Century, it was even closed for a period due to the murder of a priest, reportedly after he performed an illicit marriage ceremony – a tale that adds a layer of intriguing mystery to its past. Over the centuries, the church saw numerous renovations and additions, undergoing significant changes in the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. In 1810, a new clock was installed, a detail that now connects it to its successor.

However, fate had a different plan for this ancient structure. In 1847, a devastating storm swept through, tearing off the roof, damaging the tower, and causing considerable havoc in the churchyard. The "church rate," a tax intended to support the parish church, simply wasn't enough to cover the extensive repairs needed.

Rather than restoring the damaged church, the community rallied together through voluntary subscriptions and built a brand new church right in the same churchyard, which officially opened its doors in 1854. This new church stands proudly beside its older, ruined counterpart, a poignant reminder of continuity and change.

Today, the ruins of the Church of St. Thomas à Becket remain, a majestic and poignant landmark. Walking through its snow-dusted nave, beneath its skeletal arches, is a truly evocative experience. It’s remarkable to think that occasionally, outdoor services are still held within these ancient walls, bringing new life to a place steeped in so much history.

These photographs capture the raw beauty and quiet dignity of the ruins, particularly striking against the winter snow. The interplay of light and shadow, the starkness of the stone against the white landscape, and the enduring strength of the remaining structure all tell a story of centuries past.

If you ever find yourself in Heptonstall, I highly recommend a visit to these incredible ruins. They are a powerful testament to time, resilience, and the enduring spirit of community.

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A Journey Through Brontë Country: Discovering Waterfalls and Wuthering Heights

Recently, while sifting through some old photos, I stumbled upon a collection I took in March 2014. These weren't just any pictures; they were from a memorable walk across the moors south of Haworth, a journey undertaken in search of the elusive Brontë Waterfall and the haunting ruins of Top Withens farmhouse. I've compiled a selection of these images into a short video, which you can now view below.

The Brontë Waterfall: A Hidden Gem

Our adventure began at the Brontë Waterfall, a modest yet captivating cascade nestled in the heart of Brontë Country. This area, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, holds deep connections to the legendary Brontë family. You'll find the falls are part of the picturesque South Dean Beck. Interestingly, the original bridge crossing the beck was swept away by flash flooding in 1989, only to be lovingly rebuilt the following year. A plaque now stands as a testament to its resilience.

Following the Trail to Top Withens

From the waterfall, we followed the Brontë Trail in a westerly direction, leading us deeper into the moorland expanse and eventually to the atmospheric ruins of Top Withens Farmhouse. It's truly difficult to fathom how anyone could have carved out a life in such a desolate and isolated spot, with only a couple of other farms for company – farms that were themselves abandoned in the 1870s and subsequently demolished.

Top Withens met a similar fate, abandoned around the same time. However, it experienced a brief revival in 1920 when a Mr. Ernest Roddie brought it back into use. Alas, its respite was short-lived, and by 1926, the farm was finally abandoned for good, left to slowly succumb to the elements and become the ruin we see today. This poignant shell of a home is widely believed to have been the inspiration for the iconic Earnshaw house in Emily Brontë's timeless novel, Wuthering Heights.

The pictures below are of the ruins at Top Withens. The full set can be seen in my earlier post on Top Withens. Clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The full set of 12 pictures at Top Withens can be seen on Clickasnap or my earlier blog post.

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Top Withins: The Inspiration for Wuthering Heights

The abandoned farmstead of Top Withins is said to have been the inspiration for Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights. There is a plaque at the ruins that reads,

"This farmhouse has been associated with "Wuthering Heights", the Earnshaw home in Emily Brontë's novel. The buildings, even when complete, bore no resemblance to the house she described, but the situation may have been in her mind when she wrote the moorland setting of the Heights."

• Bronte Society, 1964. This plaque has been placed here in response to many inquiries.

The farm was thought to have been built in the 2nd half of the 16th century and was lived in by the Sunderland family when the novel was published in 1847. The last known inhabitant was Ernest Reddy in 1926.

Top Withins: A Haunting Reminder of the Past

Top Withins is a ruined farmhouse located on the windswept moors of Yorkshire, England. It is said to have been the inspiration for Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, the classic novel of love, loss, and revenge.

The farmhouse is a haunting reminder of the past, its stone walls crumbling and its windows boarded up. But even in its dilapidated state, it still holds a certain magic.

Visiting Top Withins

Top Withins is a popular destination for fans of Wuthering Heights, as well as for those who simply enjoy the beauty of the Yorkshire Moors.

The farmhouse is located about 3 miles from Haworth, the village where the Brontë sisters lived. It is a short walk from the Brontë Waterfall, another popular tourist destination.

If you are planning to visit Top Withins, be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as the weather can be unpredictable on the moors.

The History of Top Withins

Top Withins was built in the 16th century. It was originally a working farm, but it was abandoned in the early 20th century.

The farmhouse is now owned by the National Trust. It is open to the public, but it is not possible to go inside.

The Legend of Top Withins

There are many legends associated with Top Withins. One legend says that the farmhouse is haunted by the ghost of Emily Brontë. Another legend says that the farmhouse is built on the site of an ancient pagan temple.

Whether you believe in the legends or not, there is no denying that Top Withins is a truly magical place.

Conclusion

Top Withins is a must-visit destination for any fan of Wuthering Heights. It is also a great place to enjoy the beauty of the Yorkshire Moors.

If you are planning a trip to Yorkshire, be sure to add Top Withins to your list.

The pictures were taken using a Polaroid iS2132 camera in March 2014, clicking any image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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