Oakamoor railway bridge
The old railway bridge at Oakamoor. Note the colours of the bridge and nearby Station House that in the North Staffordshire Railway Company livery style.
If visiting, please also note that this bridge has a weight limit!
The old railway bridge at Oakamoor. Note the colours of the bridge and nearby Station House that in the North Staffordshire Railway Company livery style.
If visiting, please also note that this bridge has a weight limit!
Former canal lock on the now disused Uttoxeter Canal.
2017 there are volunteer work parties led by Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal Trust to preserve these heritage features.
Not listed.
SK093424
We were sent this photo the weir for the Alton Mill Leat by Keith Thomkins to use in our Facebook Friday photo challenge and here is what he says about it:
Once the site of Thomas Bolton & Son copperworks, this green space is now an attractive riverside play area and picnic site with public access.
A mill has existed at Oakamoor since medieval times and there is a record it being owned by the Foley family in 1683. In 1761 George Kendal was the ironmaster and in 1790 Thomas Patten begins serious production. It was in 1851 that Thomas Bolton bought the site for £7750.
The bridge over the Churnet Way, the disused railway line (and disused canal) between Alton and Oakamoor.
See also Lord's Bridge the river section of the bridge next to it.
A listed early 19th century bridge of ashlar construction. the bridge has a single arch over the river and two smaller arches either side.
Probably built for the Earls of Shrewsbury as a carriage bridge, now it is the footbridge that connects Dimmingsdale to the Churnet Way (Oakamoor to Denstone) ... and the Chained Oak.
SK06294322
Limestone was used to create lime in the North Staffordshire area (in other areas chalk was used). Lime was important in the manufacture of mortar and iron, as well as agriculture when it improves soil acidity and improves crop yields. Maps of 1844 show the kilns and connecting railways - it is possible to make out the railway spur that connected the Oakamoor kilns to the rail network.
Lime was created by burning limestone in limekilns to create quicklime, the dried to form a powder before being slaked with water.
Look carefully at the stones used to build this Oakamoor bridge and you can still see the masons' marks. Each mason had his own mark that enabled him to be paid the piecework fee due.
The weir and sluice gates were built in the 18th century to power strip mills owned by Thomas Patten.
