The Abbey Mill dates from 1793, when an existing range of four corn mills was rebuilt into a single mill with eight pairs of stones driven by four undershot waterwheels. In the mid 19th century a large extension was made to the mill on the upstream side. The milling of corn continued until shortly after the 1914-18 war when the building became a tea shop and subsequently a restaurant, trading on its role as 'Abel Fletcher's Mill' in the popular Victorian novel 'John Halifax Gentleman'. The Mill was converted into residential apartments circa 2005. The Abbey Barn can be seen in front of the Abbey tower and to the right, the roof of the 1906 Grammar School building can be seen among trees. The building is Grade II* Listed.
This is part of the Series: RCH01/006 Red Box Collection (Rchme); within the Collection: RCH01 Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England (Rchme) Archive
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Croome, William Iveson
Georgian Watermill, Georgian Corn Mill