List of watermills in the United Kingdom
The use of water power in Britain was at its peak just before the Industrial Revolution. The need for power was great and steam power had not yet become established. It is estimated that at this time there were well in excess of ten thousand watermills in the country. Most of these were corn mills (to grind flour), but almost any industrial process needing motive power, beyond that available from the muscles of men or animals, used a water wheel, unless a windmill was preferred.
Today only a fraction of these mills survive. Many are used as private residences, or have been converted into offices or flats. A number have been preserved or restored as museums where the public can see the mill in operation.
This is a list of some of the surviving watermills and tide mills in the United Kingdom.
Listen to the water mill
Through the livelong day;
How the clicking of the wheel
Wears the hours away.
Languidly the autumn wind
Stirs the withered leaves;
On the field the reapers sing
Binding up the sheaves;
And a proverb haunts my mind
And as a spell is cast,
"The mill will never grind
With the water that has passed."
See yon our little mill that clacks
so busy by the brook,
She has ground her corn and paid her tax
ever since Domesday Book.
England
Bedfordshire
- Bowman's Watermill, Astwick
- Bromham Watermill, Bromham
- Clophill Watermill, Clophill
- Stotfold Watermill, Stotfold
- The Olde Watermill, Barton-le-Clay
Berkshire
- Abbey Mill, Reading
- Calcot Mill, Reading
- Chamberhouse Mill, Thatcham
- Dun Mill, Hungerford[1]
- Denford Mill, Hungerford[1]
- Eddington Mill, Hungerford[2]
- Hungerford Mill, Thatcham
- Sandford Mill, Reading
- Sindlesham Mill, Reading
- Twyford Mill, Twyford
- Watermill Theatre, Bagnor
Buckinghamshire
- Castlethorpe Mill, Castlethorpe
- Dodd’s Mill, Chenies
- Ford End Mill, Ivinghoe
- Hambleden Mill, Hambleden
- Haversham Mill, Haversham
- Pann Mill, High Wycombe
Cambridgeshire
- Elton Mill, Elton
- Hauxton Mill, Hauxton
- Hinxton Mill, Hinxton
- Hook’s Mill, Guilden Morden
- Houghton Mill, Houghton
- Lode Watermill, Lode
- Maxey Mill, Maxey
- Old Mill, Water Newton
- Topcliffe Mill, Meldreth
- Sacrewell Mill, Peterborough
- Soham Mill, Soham
Cheshire
- Bunbury Mill, Bunbury
- Church Minshull Mill, Church Minshull
- Dee Mills - site of, Chester
- Dunham Massey Sawmill, Altrincham
- Nantwich Mill, Nantwich
- Nether Alderley Mill, Macclesfield
- Quarry Bank Mill, Styal
- Stretton Watermill, Stretton
- Trafford Mill, Mickle Trafford, Chester
- Walk Mill, Waverton, Cheshire[3] Built 2008
Cornwall
- Bar Pool Mill, Falmouth
- Boscastle Mill, Boscastle
- Carbeal Tide Mill, Torpoint
- Carthew Mill, Carthew
- Cotehele Mill, Calstock
- Dinham Tide Mill, St Minver
- Gerrans Sea Mill, Gerrans
- Heskyn Mill, Tideford
- Hingham Mill, near Wadebridge
- Kestle Mill, Kestle
- Little Petherick Creek tide mill, Little Petherick
- Melinsay Mill, Veryan
- Penpoll tidemill, Feock
- Perranarworthal Manor Mill, Perranarworthal
- Poltesco Higher Mill, Ruan Minor
- Poltesco Lower Mill, Ruan Minor
- Polvellan or Pool Tide Mill, Looe
- Poughill Mill, Bude
- Salter Tide Mill, Saltash
- Tregarus Mill St Stephen
- Tregidden Mill, Tregidden
- Tregoose Old Mill St Columb Major
- Trevillett Mill, Tintagel
- Treway Mill, Zennor
- Wheal Martyn, Carthew
Cumbria
- Acorn Bank Mill, Penrith
- Beckside Mill, Kirkby-in-Furness
- Blennerhassett Mill, Aspatria
- Brampton Mill, Appleby
- Boot Watermill, Eskdale[4]
- Gleaston Water Mill, Ulverston[5]
- Heron Corn Mill, Milnthorpe[6]
- High Mill, Alston
- Little Salkeld Watermill, Penrith[7]
- Muncaster Mill, Ravenglass
- Old Fulling Mill, Ambleside
- Rutter Mill, Great Asby
- Sparket Mill, Hutton
- Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Ulverston
- Wythop Mill, Embleton
Derbyshire
Devon
- Bicclescombe Mill, Ilfracombe
- Bicklegh Mill, Tiverton
- Clyston Mill, Broadclyst
- Coldharbour Mill, Cullompton
- Docton Mill, Hartland
- Finch Foundry, Okehampton
- Hele Mill, Hele Bay, Ilfracombe
- Manor Mill, Seaton
- Morwellham Quay, Gunnislake
- Otterton Mill, Budleigh Salterton
- Sidbury Mill, Sidbury
- Town Mills, Chudleigh
- Town Mill, Totnes
Dorset
- Boar Mill, Corfe Castle
- Cann Mill, Shaftesbury
- Castleton Water Wheel Museum, Sherborne
- Hembury Mill,[8] Askerswell
- King's Mill, Marnhull
- Loverley Mill, Moor Crichel
- Maiden Newton Mill, Maiden Newton
- Mangerton Mill, Bridport
- Melbury Abbas Mill Shaftesbury
- Pegg's Farm Mill, Iwerne Minster
- Place Mill, Christchurch
- Sturminster Newton Mill, Sturminster Newton
- Town Mill, Lyme Regis
- White Mill, Sturminster Marshall
- Upwey Mill, Weymouth
Durham
- Brignall Mill, River Greta
- Killhope Wheel, Killhope
- Leap Mill Farm, Burnopfield
- Path Head Mill, Blaydon
- Old Fulling Mill, Durham
East Sussex
- Bartley Mill, Bells Yew Green
- Bateman's Park MIll, Burwash
- Michelham Priory Mill, Hailsham
- Park Mill, Etchingham
- Sheffield Mill, Furners Green
- Tide Mills, Newhaven
- See also:-
East Yorkshire
- Beswick Mill, Beswick
- Corn Mill, Stamford Bridge
- Old Mill, Sutton upon Derwent
- Welton High Mill, Welton
Essex
- Alderford Mill, Sible Hedingham
- Beeleigh Mill, Maldon
- Bourne Mill, Colchester
- Easterford Mill, Kelvedon
- Fyfield Mill, Fyfield
- Harlow Mill, Harlow
- Little Hallingbury Mill, Little Hallingbury
- Little Parndon Mill, Little Parndon
- Roydon Mill, Roydon
- Thorrington Tide Mill, Thorrington
Gloucestershire
- Arlington Mill, Bibury
- Dean Heritage Centre, Cinderford
- Egypt Mill, Nailsworth
- Kilcott Mill, Hillesley
- Little Aston Mill, Upper Slaughter
- Old Mill, Lower Slaughter
- Owlpen Manor, Owlpen
- Stanway Watermill, Stanway, Cheltenham
- Syreford Mill, Andoversford
Greater London
- Butter Hill Mill, Carshalton
- Clock Mill, Bromley-by-Bow
- House Mill, Bromley-by-Bow
- Merton Abbey Mills, Merton
- Ravensbury Mill, Morden
- Upper Mill, Carshalton
Hampshire
- Abbey Mill, Bishops Waltham
- Abbey Mill, Winchester
- Alderholt Mill, Fordingbridge
- Anstey Mill, Alton
- Ashlett Mill, Fawley
- Barton’s Mill, Old Basing
- Beaulieu Tide Mill, Beaulieu
- Beaurepair Mill, Sherborne St John
- Botley Mill, Botley
- Bourne Mill, Farnham
- Bourne Place Mill, Farnham
- Chase Mill, Bishops Waltham
- Chesapeake Mill, Wickham, Hampshire
- Durley Mill, Botley
- Eling Tide Mill, Eling
- Fulling Mill, Old Alresford
- Gaters Mill, West End
- Greatham Mill, Greatham
- Greywell Mill, Greywell
- Hartley Mill, Hartley Wespall
- Hatch Mill, Farnham
- Headley Water Mill, Headley
- High Mill, Farnham
- Hockley Mill, Twyford
- Isington Mill, Binstead
- Laverstoke Mill, Laverstoke
- Longbridge Mill, Sherfield on Loddon
- Lower Mill, Old Basing
- Lower Neatham Mill, Alton
- Monxton Mill, Monxton
- New Mill, Eversley
- Old Mill, Selborne
- Paulton's Park Sawmill, Paultons Park
- Pilcot Mill Dogmersfield
- Quay Mill, Emsworth
- Rooksbury Mill, Andover
- St Cross Mill, Winchester
- Sadler's Mill, Romsey
- Shawford Mill, Shawford
- Town Mills, Andover
- Turk's Farm Mill, Bentley, Hampshire
- Upper Mill, Longparish
- Weir Mill, Old Alresford
- Whitchurch Silk Mill, Whitchurch
- Willey Mill, Farnham
- Winchester City Mill, Winchester
- Woodmill, Southampton
Hertfordshire
- Kingsbury Watermill, St Albans
- Mill Green Watermill, Hatfield
- Moor Mill, Bricket Wood
- New Barnes Mill, St Albans
- Park Mill, St Albans
- Pre Mill, St Albans
- Redbournbury Mill, Redbourn
- Shafford Mill, St Albans
- Sopwell Mill, St Albans
Isle of Wight
Kent
- Ashbourne Mill, Tenterden
- Bartley Mill, Frant
- Bradley's Mill, Speldhurst
- Chilham Mill, Chilham
- Christmas Mill, Edenbridge
- Crabble Corn Mill, Dover
- Chart Gunpowder Mills, Faversham
- Furnace Mill, Lamberhurst
- Hever Watermill, Hever (Medway)
- Hope Mill, Goudhurst
- Hythe Watermill, Hythe
- Periwinkle Mill, Milton Regis
- Swanton Mill, Mersham (Stour)
- Ryarsh Mill, Ryarsh (Medway)
- Wandle Mill, Benenden
Leicestershire
- Claybrooke Mill, Claybrooke Magna
- Cotes Mill, Cotes
- Mill On The Soar, Broughton Astley
- Shepshed Watermill, Shepshed
Lincolnshire
- Alvingham Mill, Alvingham
- Atkin's Mill, Scopwick
- Baines Mill, Louth
- Baldock's Mill, Bourne
- Bridge Street Mill, Louth
- Church Mill, Market Rasen
- Claypole Mill, Claypole
- Claythorpe Mill, Aby
- Cogglesford Mill, Sleaford
- Crown Mill, Louth
- Hibaldstow Wind and Water Mill, Hibaldstow
- Holdingham Mill, Holdingham
- Hubbards Hill Mill, Louth
- Hudd's Mill, Stamford
- James Street Mill, Louth
- Ketsby Mill, South Ormsby
- King's Mill, Stamford
- Londonthorpe Mill, Manthorpe
- Manor Mill, Kirkby Green
- Molecey's Mill West Deeping
- Spittlegate Mill, Grantham
- Stevenson's Mill, Horncastle
- Stockwith Mill, Hagworthingham
- Tealby Thorpe Mill, Tealby
- Tetford Mill, Tetford
- Thoresway Waterwheel, Thoresway
- Tyson's Mill, Tealby
- Westgate Mill, Louth
- Whitton's Mill, Gainsborough
- Young's Mill, Kirkby Green
Norfolk
- Aldborough Watermill on Scarrow Beck
- Bolwick Hall Watermill on the Mermaid
- Congham Oil Mill near Congham
- Eade’s Watermill at Great Witchingham
- Foulden Mill, Foulden
- Gimingham Watermill on the River Mun
- Gresham Watermill, Gresham,
- Gunton Park Sawmill, Gunton Park
- Heacham Watermill
- Hempstead Watermill
- Kettle Watermill, King’s Lynn
- Letheringsett Watermill, Holt
- Little Cressingham Wind and Water Mill, Little Cressingham
- Mundesley Watermill on the River Mun
- Narborough Bone Mill on the River Nar
- Sheringham Watermill, Sheringham
- Snettisham Watermill, Snettisham
- Weybourne Watermill
Northamptonshire
- Ashton Mill, Oundle
- Billing Mill, Billing
- Hardwater Mill, Great Doddington
- Towcester Mill, Towcester
North Yorkshire
- Darley Mill Centre, Nidderdale
- Esk Mill, Danby
- Fountains Abbey Mill, Ripon
- Gayle Mill, Hawes, Wensleydale[9]
- Howsham Mill, Malton
- Low Mill, Bainbridge
- Pateley Bridge Watermill, Nidderdale
- Raindale Mill, York
- Tocketts Mill, Guisborough
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
- Ascott Mill, Ascott-under-Wychwood
- Bliss Tweed Mill, Chipping Norton
- Charney Mill, Charney Bassett
- Church Mill, Standlake
- Combe Mill, Long Hanborough
- Goring Mill, Goring-on-Thames
- Little Clanfield Mill, Clanfield
- Lower Kingstone Mill, Ashbury
- Mapledurham Watermill, Mapledurham
- The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye
- Standhampton Mill, Stadhampton
- Venn Mill, Garford
- Wroxton Mill, Wroxton
Shropshire
- Borle Mill, Netherton, Highley - Former 13th century Corn Mill.
- Daniels Mill, Bridgnorth[10]
- Upton Mill, Little Hereford, Shropshire.
- Wrickton Mill, Neenton
Somerset
- Bishop's Lydeard Mill, Bishops Lydeard
- Burcott Mill, Burcot
- Clapton Mill, Ston Easton
- Claverton Pumping Station, Claverton
- Combe House Hotel (originally a tannery) Holford
- Combe Sydenham Mill, Combe Sydenham
- Dunster Working Watermill, Dunster
- Gants Mill, Pitcombe
- Hestercombe Mill, West Monkton
- Hinton Farm Mill, Mudford
- Hornsbury Mill, Chard
- Orchard Mill, Williton
- Piles Mill, Allerford
- Priston Mill, Priston
- Rode Mill, Rode
- Saltford Brass Mill, Saltford
- Stratford Mill, Henbury
- Tonedale Mills, Wellington
- Williton Mill, Williton
- Wookey Hole Paper Mill, Wells
South Yorkshire
- Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield
- Bedgreave New Mill, Killamarsh
- Sharrow Mills, Sheffield
- Shepherd Wheel, Sheffield
- Top Forge, Thurgoland
- Worsbrough Mill, Barnsley]
- Wortley Top Forge, Wortley
Staffordshire
- Boar Mill, Moddershall
- Brindley Water Mill, Leek
- Cheddleton Flint Mill, Cheddleton
- Coppice Mill, Stone
- Flint Mill, Stone
- Hayes Mill, Oulton
- Ivy Mill, Oulton
- Little Aston Mill, Little Aston
- Mosty Lea Mill, Moddershall
- Offley Mill, Staffordshire
- Shugborough Estate Mill, Shugborough Hall, Stafford
- Splashy Mill, Lower Moddershall
- Weaver's Mill, Stone
- Worston Mill, Great Bridgeford
Suffolk
- Alton Mill, Stowmarket
- Euston Mill, Euston
- Flatford Mill, East Bergholt
- Letheringham Mill Letheringham
- Pakenham Watermill, Bury St Edmunds
- The Mill Hotel, Sudbury
- Wickham Mill, Wickham Market
- Woodbridge Tide Mill, Woodbridge
Surrey
- Abbey Mill, Eashing
- Albury Mill, Albury
- Botting’s Mill, Postford
- Cobham Mill, Cobham
- Cosford Mill, Thursley
- Coxes Lock Mill, Addlestone
- Eashing Mill, Eashing
- Elstead Mill, Elstead
- Enton Mill, Witley
- Gresham Mill, Old Woking
- Gomshall Mill, Gomshall
- Hatch Mill, Godalming
- Haxted Watermill, near Edenbridge
- Heath Mill, Worplesdon
- Netley Mill, Shere
- Ockford Mill, Godalming
- Ockham Mill, Ockham
- Old Castle Mill, Pixham
- Paddington Mill, Abinger
- Pirbright Mill, Pirbright
- Pixham Mill, Dorking
- Rickford's Mill, Worplesdon
- Shalford Mill, Guildford
- Sickle Mill, Shottermill
- Snowdenham Mill, Bramley
- Stanford Mill, Haslemere
- Stoke Mill, Guildford
- Town Mill, Guildford
- Unwin's Mill, Old Woking
- Upper Mill, Ewell
- Wonersh Mill, Wonersh
Warwickshire
- Arrow Mill, Alcester[11]
- Charlecote Mill, Stratford-upon-Avon[12]
- Saxon Mill, Warwick
- Wellesbourne Watermill, Wellesbourne
West Sussex
- Burton Mill, Petworth
- Coultershaw Beam Pump, Petworth
- Horsted Keynes Mill, Horsted Keynes
- Ifield Water Mill, Crawley
- Lurgashall Watermill, Singleton
- Westhampnett Mill
- Woods Mill, Henfield
West Yorkshire
- Armley Mills, Armley
- Moorside Mills, Eccleshill
- Scarcroft Watermill
- Thwaite Mills, Leeds
- Queen's Mill, Castleford
Wiltshire
- Blackland Mill, Quemerford
- Coleshill Mill, Swindon
- White's Mill, West Lavington
- Broad Town Mill, Broad Town
Worcestershire
- Churchill Forge Mill, Churchill
- Fladbury Watermill, Worcestershire
- Forge Mill, Redditch
- Mortimers Cross Mill, Lucton
- Newnham Mill, Newnham Bridge
Scotland
Aberdeenshire
- Benholm Mill, Johnshaven
- Bucket Mill, Finzean
- Mill of Mindoro, Bridge of Don
- Mill of Towie, Drummuir
Dumfries and Galloway
- Barburgh Mill, Closeburn
- Enterkinfoot Mill, Enterkinfoot
- Mennock Mill, Mennock
- Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet
- New Abbey Mill, New Abbey
East Ayrshire
- Aiket Mill, Dunlop
- Bloak Mill, Dunlop
- Busbie Mill, Knockentiber
- Dalmore Mill, Stair
- Dalmusternock Mill
- Drumastle Mill, Dalry
- Giffen Mill, Barrmill
- Kilmaurs Mill, Kilmaurs
- Ladeside Mill, Mauchline
- Laigh Milton Mill, Gatehead
- Lainshaw Mill, Stewarton
- Lambroch Mill, Stewarton
- Old or Commoncraigs Mill, Dunlop
East Renfrewshire
- Knowes Mill
Highlands
Click Mill, Kingussie
Lanarkshire
- Carmichael Mill, Hyndford Bridge
- New Lanark Mill, New Lanark
Moray
- Old Mills, Elgin
North Ayrshire
- Bark Mill, Beith
- Broadstone Mill, Barrmill
- Cavan Mill, Auchentiber
- Coldstream Mill, Beith
- Craigmill, Dalry
- Cranshaw Mill, Kilmaurs
- Crevoch Mill, Dunlop
- Cunninghamhead Mill, Cunninghamhead
- Dalgarven Mill, Kilwinning
- Drumastle Mill, Dalry
- Drumbuie Mill, Barrmill
- East Kersland Mill, Dalry
- Giffen Mill, Barrmill
- Giffordland Mill, Dalry
- Kersland Mill, Beith
- Mill o'Beith, Beith
- Nethermill, Kilbirnie
- Perceton Mill, Irvine
- Sevenacres Mill, Kilwinning
- Stevenston Corn Mill
Perthshire
- Blair Athol Mill, Pitlochry
- Keithbank Mill, Blairgowrie
- Lower City Mill, Perth
- Stanley Mill, Stanley
Scottish Borders
Robert Small’s Printing Works, Innerleithen
Shetland
- Crofthouse Museum, Dunrossness
- Huxter Mills, Sandness
- Quendale Mill, South Mainland
South Ayrshire
Western Isles
- Siabost Mill, Shawbost
West Lothian
Livingston Mill, Livingston
Northern Ireland
County Antrim
- Orr’s Mill, Milltown
- Patterson’s Spade Mill, Templepatrick
- Whiggleton Mill, Kells
County Down
- Annalong Mill, Annalong
- Castle Ward Mills, Strangford
- Coal Island Spade Mill, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
- Dundonald Old Mill, Dundonald
- Gorticashel Flax Mill, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
- Straid Mill, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
- Marybrook Mills, Listooder
County Fermanagh
- Florence Court Sawmill, Enniskillen
County Tyrone
- Ballynasaggart Mill, Ballygawley
- Ennish Mill, Dungannon
- Wellbrook Beetling Mill, Cookstown
Wales
Clwyd
- Bersham Ironworks, Bersham
- Corn Mill, Llangollen
- Felin Isaf, Glan Conwy
- Gresford Mill, Gresford
- King's Mill, Wrexham
- Marford Mill, Rossett
- Minera Lead Mine, Coedpoeth
- Nant Mill, Coedpoeth
- Penmachno Woollen Mill, Penmachno
- Pentrifoelas Mill, Pentrefoelas
- Rossett Mill, Rossett
- Trefriw Woollen Mill, Trefriw
Dyfed
- Blackpool Mill, Martletwy
- Cambrian Mill, Dre-fach Felindre
- Carew Tidal Mill, Carew
- Cenarth Mill, Cenarth
- Denant Mill, Dreenhill
- Dre-fach Felindre
- Dyfi Furnace, Furnace
- Felin Ganol, Llanrhystud
- Felin Geri, Cwm Cou
- Felin Hesgwm, Dinas Cross
- Felin Newydd, Crugybar
- Felin yr Aber Llanwnnen
- Llywernog Mine, Llywernog
- Middle Mill, Solva
- Nant y Coy Mill, Wolf's Castle
- Rock Mill, Llandysul
- Tide Mill, Carew
- Tide Mill, Pembroke
- Tregwynt Woollen Mill, Castlemorris
- Y Felin, St. Dogmaels
Gwynedd
- Brynkyr Woollen Mill, Garndolbenmaen
- Cochwillan Mill, Talybont
- Felin Faesog, Clynnog Fawr
- Melin Howell, Llanddeusant
- National Slate Museum, Llanberis
- Pant-yr-Ynn Mill, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Mid Glamorgan
- Melin Pontrhydycyff, Llangynwyd
- Pentre Mill, Pentre
Powys
- Bacheldre Mill, Montgomery
- Felin Crewi, Penegoes
- Talgarth Mill, Talgarth[17]
South Glamorgan
- Deheufryn Gorse Mill, St Fagans
- Esgair Moel, St Fagans
- Melin Bompren, St Fagans
- Rhayader Tannery, St Fagans
- Tŷ'n Rhos Sawmill, St Fagans
West Glamorgan
- Abbey Woolen Mill, Swansea
- Aberdulais Falls, Aberdulais
- Y Felin Dolwys, Parkmill
Channel Islands
Guernsey
- St Peter's Mill, St Peter's
Jersey
- Moulin de Lecq, La Greve de Lecq
- Quetivel Mill, St Peter's Valley
- Tesson Mill, St Peter's Valley
Isle of Man
- Cregg Mill, Ballasalla
- Glen Wylin Mill, Kirk Michael
- Golden Meadow Mill, Castletown
- Groudle Glen, Isle of Man
- Lady Isabella Waterwheel, Laxey
- Water-driven Carousel, Ballasalla
See also
References
- "Watermills and Windmills". Hungerford Virtual Museum. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- "Eddington Mill". Hungerford Virtual Museum. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- Walk Mill Official Website
- Boot Mill Official Website
- Gleaston Watermill Official Website
- Heron Corn Mill Official Website
- Little Salkeld Watermill Official Website
- "Hembury Mill Cottages". Bridport Holiday Cottages. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- Gayle Mill official website
- Daniels Mill Official Website
- Arrow Millofficial website
- Charlecote Mill official website
- New Hall Mill official website
- Sarehole MillOfficial Website Archived 2010-04-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Canmore Scottish national database record
- Preston Mill Official Website
- Talgarth Mill Official Website
Bibliography
- Martin Watts: Watermills, Shire Publications Ltd, UK, 2006
- Jim Woodward-Nutt & Jenny West: Mills Open, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, UK, 1997
- Neil Wright (Ed), Lincolnshire's Industrial Heritage, Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, UK 2004, ISBN 0 903582 20 1