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Report - - Elton Mill, Cambridgeshire, May 2023 | Industrial Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Elton Mill, Cambridgeshire, May 2023

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HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
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:

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Quick exterior shot of drive wheel and cogs:

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And then in:

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Although no longer in motion, the main waterwheel is pretty impressive:

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Main drive wheels off the waterwheel:

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This is pretty cool:

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In the wooden shack at the back:

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And this Bamford pump engine:

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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:

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Not too much of interest on the first floor. The floor is a bit sketchy and this is the only thing of real note:

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And finally, up to the pigeon roost, a.k.a. the second floor:

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Goodbye Elton mill once more…

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jezzyboo

28DL Regular User
Regular User
Nice pics would be great if they could get some lottery money and get the place restored im sure it would do great
 

Calamity Jane

i see beauty in the unloved, places & things
Regular User
This is such a beautiful mill, what a waste to leave it like this. No respect for its history. These places need saving. Beautiful images, covered the workings really well. I love the rustic atmosphere. :)
 

HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
This is such a beautiful mill, what a waste to leave it like this. No respect for its history. These places need saving. Beautiful images, covered the workings really well. I love the rustic atmosphere. :)
Many thanks @Calamity Jane
My thoughts exactly.
This could be converted into a heritage site with cafe and be a real asset to the community.
Instead it's just being left to rot.
 

dansgas1000

28DL Regular User
Regular User
Very nice shots mate, happy to see the condition hasn't changed in the last few years or so. It's a lovely place.

A few locals mentioned the potential of a museum, but I don't think any actual plans were ever created, it was just suggested a few times. It would be a great use for the site though. This article briefly mentions it at the bottom.
 

Down and beyond

The true source of englands wealth is coal
Regular User
 
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