1. The History
Not a vast amount of info on the net about this lovely place situated in the picturesque Cambridgeshire village of Elton. The Water mill on the River Nene dates from pre-1800 but in the early 19th century it was extended and rebuilt, as indicated by the carving of 'AD 1840' on a gable plaque.
Used for grinding corn, the mill is three storeys high with an attic. Its iron and wooden waterwheel measured approximately 14 feet in diameter and 12 feet wide and remains place today with water still flowing beneath it. The miller's house which was attached to the north-west of the mill was demolished as far back as 1881.
The building was listed at Grade II in 1988 and it appears in the 90's the mill was (briefly) re-opened as a tourist attraction but closed shortly after and has sat empty and boarded-up since. It’s been on the Huntingdonshire District Council’s Buildings at Risk register since the 1990’s, but there are currently no plans to restore or find a use for the mill according to the council.
2. The Explore
A relaxed revisit on a very sunny May afternoon. Wasn’t happy with my pictures last time around and was close by so thought it would be rude not to pay this little gem another visit. A relaxed and easy explore, this time around was much happier about the pictures I got.
3. The Pictures
A few externals first:
Quick exterior shot of drive wheel and cogs:
And then in:
Although no longer in motion, the main waterwheel is pretty impressive:
Main drive wheels off the waterwheel:
This is pretty cool:
In the wooden shack at the back:
And this Bamford pump engine:
In the end room, there is a lot of old farm machinery. @Bikin Glynn states that he heard from a local that there were originally plans to turn the mill into a museum which sadly came to nothing:
Not too much of interest on the first floor. The floor is a bit sketchy and this is the only thing of real note:
And finally, up to the pigeon roost, a.k.a. the second floor:
Goodbye Elton mill once more…
Not a vast amount of info on the net about this lovely place situated in the picturesque Cambridgeshire village of Elton. The Water mill on the River Nene dates from pre-1800 but in the early 19th century it was extended and rebuilt, as indicated by the carving of 'AD 1840' on a gable plaque.
Used for grinding corn, the mill is three storeys high with an attic. Its iron and wooden waterwheel measured approximately 14 feet in diameter and 12 feet wide and remains place today with water still flowing beneath it. The miller's house which was attached to the north-west of the mill was demolished as far back as 1881.
The building was listed at Grade II in 1988 and it appears in the 90's the mill was (briefly) re-opened as a tourist attraction but closed shortly after and has sat empty and boarded-up since. It’s been on the Huntingdonshire District Council’s Buildings at Risk register since the 1990’s, but there are currently no plans to restore or find a use for the mill according to the council.
2. The Explore
A relaxed revisit on a very sunny May afternoon. Wasn’t happy with my pictures last time around and was close by so thought it would be rude not to pay this little gem another visit. A relaxed and easy explore, this time around was much happier about the pictures I got.
3. The Pictures
A few externals first:
Quick exterior shot of drive wheel and cogs:
And then in:
Although no longer in motion, the main waterwheel is pretty impressive:
Main drive wheels off the waterwheel:
This is pretty cool:
In the wooden shack at the back:
And this Bamford pump engine:
In the end room, there is a lot of old farm machinery. @Bikin Glynn states that he heard from a local that there were originally plans to turn the mill into a museum which sadly came to nothing:
Not too much of interest on the first floor. The floor is a bit sketchy and this is the only thing of real note:
And finally, up to the pigeon roost, a.k.a. the second floor:
Goodbye Elton mill once more…
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