Tone Works

Wellington

Tone Works was fully operational as a factory making and dyeing cloth until 1992. At that time many of the original machines from the mid 1800s were still used. The Grade II* listed site has been derelict for many years and is on the Historic England “at risk” register. Structurally it is stunning, with long lines of drive shafts integrated into the roof structure.

Many attempts to find a new use for this beautiful but flood-prone site have failed but the local council have finally managed to buy the site and a group of local people have got involved to help guide its future. Funding from Historic England, the local council and government “equalling up” grants have enabled us to carry out repair work to secure the oldest, most important and most vulnerable of the walls and timber roofs giving this much loved building the hope of a vibrant and useful future.

You can read more on the conservation of this fascinating building here in Historic England’s Case Study.