Reasons for Designation
A watermill uses the gravitational force of water to turn a paddled wheel, the
energy thus generated in the axle of the wheel enabling the operation of
varying kinds of machinery. The waterwheel can be set directly into a stream,
with a simple `shut' to control water flow, or may be spring fed or use tidal
waters. More usually, however, an artificial channel, or leat, is diverted
from the main watercourse and its flow to the wheel regulated by sluices.
Depending on the height at which water is supplied, the wheel is described as
overshot, breastshot, or undershot. The spent water returns to the main stream
via a tailrace which may be straightened to increase efficiency. Where the
natural flow of water is inadequate, a millpond may be constructed to increase
the body of water (and thus the flow) behind the wheel.
Simple vertical waterwheels used for irrigation had been in use in the Roman
period, although the earliest mill so far identified was dated from its
timbers to the late 7th century AD. Early medieval mills could have wheels set
horizontally or vertically. By the time of the Domesday Book an estimated 6000
mills were in existence, and the number increased steadily over the next three
centuries. During the medieval period, mills, usually used for corn grinding,
were a sign of status, and an important source of income to the lord of the
manor who usually leased the mill and its land to the miller. With
technological improvements, an increasing range of equipment including fulling
stocks, tilt hammers, bellows, and textile machinery could be powered by
watermills, and they became increasingly important to urban and rural life and
industry. With the advent of steam power and the introduction of iron gears in
the 18th century, waterpower eventually became obsolete for major industry,
although many smaller rural mills continued in use.
As a common feature of the rural and urban landscape, watermills played an
important role in the development of technology and economy. Many of those
retaining significant original features or of particularly early date will
merit protection.
The watermill 290m south east of West Leaze will contain within its buried
deposits preserved waterlogged remains of timber structures providing evidence
relating to its construction.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a watermill located 290m south east of
West Leaze on the south western outskirts of Swindon. The site is situated to
the east and south of the River Ray on low lying ground which rises steeply to
the north and north east towards Swindon and falls away gradually south
towards the chalk escarpment which forms the edge of the Marlborough Downs.
Identifiable elements of the mill which survive as earthworks include the site
of the mill itself, the millrace and the tailrace. The mill site includes two
irregular shaped mounds, one slightly elongated and 20m across, the other
sub-circular and 15m in diameter, separated by a narrow channel approximately
1m wide within which the wheel and associated structures may have been
located. To the north of this is the millrace which channelled water from the
river to the mill. This has become largely infilled but is still visible as a
slight depression up to 8m wide. A further length of millrace south of Mill
Lane has been recut and incorporated within a recent hedgerow and is
consequently not included in the scheduling. The tailrace, which returned
water to the river, survives as a slight depression for a distance of
approximately 100m and is included in the scheduling.
All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath
these features is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
