Chimney to India Mill Darwen

Adjoiningthe engine house of India Mill is the campanile style, square chimney, which dominates the central area of Darwen. The massive base has recessed round headed panels set in rusticated stonework and a stepped stone plinth. Above, the brick shaft is detailed with inset blue and yellow panels, slit windows and blind arches. The top terminates in two prominent cornices, the lower of which has stone urns at the corners. It is assumed that Ernest Bates was responsible for the design

LISTING TEXT Chimney, 1867, (architect unknown), for Shorrock Brothers & Co. Brick with ashlar base and dressings. Square section, 300 feet high, in the style of an Italian campanile. Rests on foundation stone said to have been the largest single block quarried since Cleopatra's Needle. Massive base of rusticated rock faced white stone has 3 triply recessed round headed panels in the exposed sides, string course, bracketed and moulded cornice bearing a massive set off which forms a plinth to the chimney. The chimney is of red brick with bands of blue and yellow brick, some with diaper pattern, the first 2/3 of the height panelled: the neck has a bracketed ledge on each side, round headed blind arcading on 2 levels, and moulded consoles to a prominent cornice which carries a stone balustrade with urn finials at the corners; the top has round headed blind arcading with imposts and keystones, a very prominent cornice and a short splayed cap. On north side of base and linked to it is low 2 storey office, on east side is arcaded range linking chimney to engine house of India Mill (with which it is included.q.v.) both these in matching rusticated ashlar.