A virtual tour of the Millennium Walkway, New Mills

Our latest project was a virtual tour of the Millennium Walkway, which clings to a sheer stone railway embankment, overlooking the River Goyt.

The historic Torr Vale Mill

New Mills is a town which is situated on the western edges of the Dark Peak, bridging the gap between the Peak District and the suburbs of Stockport and Manchester.  The centre of the town is perched  around a huge gritstone gorge, completely invisible from the high street, through which flows the River Goyt.

The original settlement of New Mills was founded around a corn mill, but it was during the industrial revolution that the town made its mark on cotton spinning and calico printing, with the construction of a series of gigantic riverside mills in the Torrs Gorge.

The most notable of these titanic structures is Torr Vale Mill, which was built around 1788.  Powered by two water wheels, the mill was used for cotton weaving and spinning.  Eventually, the water power was replaced by steam and, later, electricity, before the mill ceased production in 2000.  It's regarded as being the longest continuously operating cotton mill in the country,

The mill is now stripped of its machinery and is Grade II listed.  Renovations are underway and it is hoped that the future will be bright for this former industrial powerhouse.

In 1999, the Millennium Walkway was constructed.  It spans the opposite side of the gorge to the mill, clinging to what has been described as the finest retaining embankment in the whole of the British railway network.  Trains travelling between Manchester, Sheffield and Buxton thunder overhead, whilst along the river, grey wagtails and herons enjoy rich feeding grounds.

The structure of the virtual tour was very straightforward - simply travelling the length of the stilted walkway.  It's around 250 metres from end to end.  We also included the Torrs Riverside Park, where rock climbers can be seen honing their skills on the sheer cliffs which line the gorge.

So feel free to view the tour and enjoy a virtual visit to New Mills.  You just have to imagine the faint aroma of love hearts, emanating from the nearby Swizzel's factory.

We'll be adding some aerial footage to the tour soon too, so please check back with us soon.

Our virtual tours can be embedded on any website and are viewable on all platforms, including Mac/PC, tablet, iPhone and Android.

If you're interested in finding out more, please email us at [email protected].