Historic pavilion demolished after 120 years

After standing for a momentous 120 years, Gibson Mill’s old wooden pavilion on the Hardcastle Crags estate has been demolished, after rotten wood meant it was deemed unsafe.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Oct 2014, 08:00 BST

Gibson Mill's pavilion at Hardcastle Craggs.

Originally built in 1890, the wooden structure was not designed to be a permanent structure.

In spite of losing the pavilion, every stage of the demolition has been recorded for historic and archaeological purposes so that its rich past can be celebrated.

Judith Patrick, General Manager at Hardcastle Craggs, said:“Hardcastle Crags was once home to a number of pavilions like this, but sadly, because they were made from wood, they have not stood the test of time.

Gibson Mill's pavilion, Hardcastle Craggs, as it once was.

“In its heyday, the mill pavilion was a coffee house across from the mill next to swing boats and a Ferris wheel, but it has sat empty for a number of years now, after last being used as a holiday cottage.”

An exhibition documenting the social history of the area will be held in the summer of next year.