Geograph - photograph every grid square

These comprise possibly the most interesting and impressive surviving set of cotton mills in Bolton.

No.1 and No.2 Mills, on the southern part of the site form a relatively rare example of a true double mill, where the first mill was later duplicated with a mirror image. In practical terms, the two mills were operated independently, each with its own engine to drive the machinery. At Swan Lane, No.1 Mill was built in 1903. Even at this stage the engine house was built as a double house in anticipation of the construction of No.2 Mill, which followed in 1906. These mills were designed by Stott and Sons of Oldham and at the time of opening represented the largest single spinning mill building in the world. Initially Listed Grade II in 1974, the grading was uprated to Grade II* as part of a reappraisal of Bolton's industrial heritage in 1996.
Further expansion came with the opening in 1914 of the impressive No.3 Mill, also by Stott and Sons. This comprises in all 9 storeys including the basement and the unusual double attic storeys, although the topmost attic does not extend over the whole of the floor area of the building. Distinctive features are the curved corners to the building with their large glazed windows, the close arcading of the first attic storey and the use of sculpted swans in various materials to represent the name of the mill without the use of the word 'swan'. As with No.1 and No.2 Mills, its listed status was upgraded to Grade II* in 1996, having originally been listed in 1974.
Swan Lane Mills are one of the few to retain a chimney, although not to its original full height. Its distinctive feature is the swan emblem in contrasting glazed brickwork.
As of 2012, Nos. 1 & 2 Mills are in good order and are largely occupied by a self-store firm. No.3 Mill is in multiple occupancy, but a large percentage appears to be unoccupied and there are signs of deterioration of the fabric which cannot be a good omen for the future.