Kirk Mill, Chipping, Lancashire. Archaeological Building Investigation.

Kirk Mill in Chipping (centred on SD 61975 43615) was established as a cotton spinning mill in 1785, occupying the site of a medieval corn mill. The extant structure
comprises a three-storey, 14 bay rectangular mill, with projecting wings at both ends, and a stair tower against the northern external wall. All external elevations are of
roughly dressed and coursed local sandstone rubble, bonded in a pale lime mortar, with dressed quoins to the elevation returns. Internally, the walls are generally rendered but, where exposed, the wall face is of irregular random rubble, typical of stone mill buildings from all periods within the Ribble Valley.
The original mill measured approximately 33' (10.06m) wide, and around 69' (21.03m) long, with the original waterwheel probably being external to the mill. Internally, the
building was of non-fireproof construction, and was sufficiently narrow for single large-scantling beams to span the entire floor; these were unsupported within the original construction. Although evidence for many line shafting positions survives within the mill, it is probable that deeply gouged scars placed to the north of the centre-line of the mill represents the position of the original shaft.