Heath House Mill was built in 1861 by TW Thorpe at Golcar, near Huddersfield. The woollen and carding mill was located to take advantage of the natural springs of Bolster Moor in the Colne Valley and played a key role in the development of local settlements. Families moved to Golcar to work at the mill which, in 1851, employed 97 people with 21 mill worker houses located on or close to the site.
A large mill pond was built at the end of Heath House Lane to gravity-power the mill’s looms. The mill reservoir was covered over in the late 80s but there is still evidence of the exit at the bottom of the site.
Textile manufacturing finally ended during the mid 1980’s and many buildings were subsequently demolished. The mill occupies over five acres and now provide over 100,000 sq. ft divided into 44 light industrial units currently occupied by 33 businesses.
In 2024 Chris Burton and Peter Reynolds, Apiary Estates began the process of buying the mill complex. Following 15 months of due diligence the sale was finally completed in July 2026. Chris and partner Louise had a previous connection with Heath House Mill having based their Beetastic business here while Louise's father, who use to drive trucks for Bulmer & Lumb, recalled delivering to the mill.
Chris, Peter and Louise have embarked on an ambitious maintenance and development programme for Heath House Mill and are keen to both preserve and learn more about the mills’ architectural heritage.
Louise and Chris Burton
Louise and Chris Burton
