Stewartby brickworks may 2024

History

Stewartby was the largest brickworks in terms of output in the world. The site closed in 2008 as the owners, Hanson, could not meet UK limits for sulphur dioxide emissions. The four remaining chimneys were due to be demolished upon closure but these were initially listed for preservation of Bedfordshire's brick-related history and were due to remain, however this since changed and the chimneys were demolished on 26 September 2021.

The brickworks was home to the world's biggest kiln and produced 500 million bricks at the height of production. At the height of the industry's production there were 167 brick chimneys in the Marston Vale. There were four chimneys in Stewartby, but these were demolished in 2021.
More than £1 million was spent on Stewartby Brickworks in 2005–7 in an attempt to reduce sulphur dioxide emisions.
Stewartby Brickworks closed in May 2008.
In 2021, it was announced that the four remaining chimneys were to be demolished, as the land owners deemed them unsafe; they were later demolished on 26 September 2021 at 11:15am.

In December 2023, Universal Studios announced its intention to build a theme park on the site of the brickworks.

The photos and explore

The explore was alright and largely undisturbed apart from 2 people flying drones around. Security is on site but chill. All photos are phone pictures.

I fell down that and it hurt a bit but I aint leaving here half exploredcheers for viewing

I like the propane cylinder hanging from the hook of the gantry bloack and tackle.

Wow, my favourite is the staircase and hand rail. An industrial unit and someone has gone to the bother of adding the curls at the end of the rail. This is true professionalism. Great report and write up, great photos.

clinka said:

Wow, my favourite is the staircase and hand rail. An industrial unit and someone has gone to the bother of adding the curls at the end of the rail. This is true professionalism. Great report and write up, great photos.

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Thanks mate it's the smallest details that makes the biggest difference

The chimneys are gone but still plenty to see. Good work!

HughieD said:

The chimneys are gone but still plenty to see. Good work!

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Thank you mate

A different shooting style from most on here but an interesting change and you captured it very well, almost looks as though they had their own runway.
I enjoyed it, thanks!

Roderick said:

A different shooting style from most on here but an interesting change and you captured it very well, almost looks as though they had their own runway.
I enjoyed it, thanks!

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Thanks a lot mate I was experimenting with different angels

wow gt info sad now a memory only thank you

Although brick production continued during the war much oif the site was taken over by the Army becoming a major ordnance stores depot.

That's quite cool actually I was never aware of that

I had the joy of a very rare site tour on an open day they did for charity over 40 years ago, when I lived in nearby Bedford. Brings back memories of the vastness of the site, we were bussed from area to area. And walking on top of the tunnel kilns with our guide, with the heat under our feet through a layer of coal slack. The coal slack would be shovelled in through little holes about a foot diameter, that had lids over, to top up the firing temperature as necessary.

coalitenose said:

I had the joy of a very rare site tour on an open day they did for charity over 40 years ago, when I lived in nearby Bedford. Brings back memories of the vastness of the site, we were bussed from area to area. And walking on top of the tunnel kilns with our guide, with the heat under our feet through a layer of coal slack. The coal slack would be shovelled in through little holes about a foot diameter, that had lids over, to top up the firing temperature as necessary.

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Those lids remind me of the gas works at Christchurch, New Zealand. Coal was dropped into the tops of a series of chambers and the chambers then sealed. The chambers were heated so that the coal became coke while giving off the gas that was then stored in the on-site gasholders prior ro it being piped around the city. Other byproducts - ammonia, tar, etc - were also conserved and sold. All now gone with the country's conversion to natural gas.