Hunger Hill Pumping Station

Nestled down in the Cathole Valley, in the middle of a dense forest lies Hunger Hill Pumping Station. Constructed by the Chesterfield Corporation, it was completed in 1924, as indicated by a large engraved stone above the entrance arch. It is one of two Corporation Waterworks in Holymoorside, the other being at Whispering Well.

The pumping station, or waterworks as it is known locally, was commissioned to ensure there was sufficient water flow in the nearby River Hipper in times of drought. This was especially important as the Hipper was the supplier of Walton Dam, which in turn supplied the Robinson's factories in Walton with water. 

The site's industrial history dates back to 1920, when the first of two boreholes was sunk. These boreholes were operational two years later and the pump house was then constructed around one of the boreholes. The pumping machinery would be in operation for an average of 16 hours a day and would draw water out of the boreholes, holding the water in a storage tank outside before its release into the Hipper. 

The site was decommissioned in the 1970s. Ever since, it has continued to decay into the eerie, derelict shell it is today. 

From the 1980s, the site became the haunt of devil worshippers and a witches coven. It was reported that dead animals were discovered hanging from chains in the building and a painted occult pentagram was present on the floor for many years. One urban exploration group alleged that a couple had been murdered here by satanists, but there seems to be no information available to verify such claims. Any such activities have seemingly disappeared in recent years and the only visitors now are urban explorers and curious walkers passing by on the public footpath.

In the mid 1990s, an amateur movie called "Zombietastic" was filmed at the pumping station by local residents. Ghost investigators have visited the site on occasion and have documented their findings online.

All that is left inside is a raised concrete platform at the front half of the building, with steps that drop down 3 feet to the flooded lower level. Rotten wood from the workbenches inside and metal conduit now lies in the stagnant water, having been ripped from the walls by vandals. An old rusting light fitting remains high up on the wall and heavy chains and a winch, labelled in white paint with "STW 2 ton", which hang from a metal frame just below the ceiling are the only surviving features. There is also a small pipe chimney, presumably the extractor from the engine which powered the pumping machinery. Outside at the rear are three small brick-lined outbuildings, one of which is partially under a bank of earth, that served an unknown purpose.