Sedgewick Gunpowder Works near Low Park Woods, Sizergh Castle

Summary

Sedgwick gunpowder works is situated on the western bank of the River Kent near to Low Park. It was opened up in 1857 and utilised the nearby river to drive its machinery, the site is recorded to include mill buildings, leats and other industrial structures. The site was closed in 1935 when demand for gunpowder fell, as was usual practice for such sites the buildings were levelled and cleared away.

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Description

In 1857 a company was formed to manufacture gunpowder on a site on the west side of the River Kent, stretching for about 1 km from the suspension bridge situated just below the Gate House. The layout was excellent, but not very easy to show on a map as, like most Gunpowder Mills, it was long and narrow. The Sedgewick Gunpowder Mill was worked by water powder; there was a wooden weir (dam) across the River Kent at the north end of the property, which diverted the water into the long, stone-built head-race which runs through the mill to the waterwheel pit, where the great waterwheel drove the Incorporating Mills. This head-race is also known as a 'leat'. The Sedgewick Gunpowder Mills did not flourish at first, but after about ten years they were brought by Mr. Henry Swinglehurst and become quite prosperous. They employed about 50 people and the output was some 20 tonnes per week. It is curious to think that before the 1914-18 War probably at least half the black blasting made in the United Kingdom was produced by five mills located within a circle with a centre near Crook and a radius of no more than 30 km. By the end of the war new techniques had been developed, and W.H. Wakefield & Co. had begun to take over this little group of mills, later selling them to the combine which had become a part of the Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (Wilson, Lord). The site was closed down and its structure cleared, as the independent industry began to fail, in 1935. There were 2 gunpowder mills, Old Sedgewick (licensed in 1764), and New Sedgewick (1858). Both were eventually controlled by Wakefield & Co. Before WWI Sedgewick had 9 mills running and produced ca 21 3/4 tons per week (Marshall & Davies-Shiel).
A large later C19 complex. A high proportion of the original buildings have been demolished to ground level, but with few exceptions the sites survive undisturbed, and the site as a whole retains its integrity. The overall quality of preservation is less good than Low Wood and Kennal Vale, but the wide range of moderately preserved components renders the whole complex worthy of scheduling. The site is used as a caravan park and there has been some damage to the site as a result of this. Much of the workshop complex is derelict; the two ranges of incorporating mills are also deteriorating rapidly, due to tree growth. Urgent maintenance is needed (MPP Step 3 Report).
The following buildings are listed Grade II:
Gatehouse and Office - LBS 472818. Mid-C19 with minor C20 alterations.
Workshop complex - LBS 472820. Mid to late C19 with minor C20 alterations.
Search House and Clocking on Shed - LBS 472819. Mid C19, with minor late C20 alterations (LB List).
A survey was undertaken by English Heritage in 2000-2002 of the former gunpowder works as part of the Cumbrian Gunpowder Industry Project. New Sedgewick replaced the 18th century gunpowder works at Old Sedgewick (SMR 41010 - closed in 1852 after expiry of its lease) and operated until 1935. The site was later requisitioned as a World War II munitions store, and partially developed as a caravan park (extant) in 1977 (EH 2006).
A watching brief conducted in 2006 for the Caravan Club found the buried remains of an early 20th century powder press house consisting of stone foundations and internal features relating to the powder press process. The remains were retained in-situ (OAN 2008).

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