Bishops Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum facts for kids
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| Location | Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, England |
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The Bishops Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum is a fascinating place in Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, England. It's a historic building that also works as a museum. Here, you can explore what life was like in the past.
Contents
Discover Bishops Lydeard Mill
A Glimpse into History
The main building of the mill dates back to the 1700s. Later, in the early 1800s, a millhouse was added. This means the building has been around for a very long time! It's so important that it's officially called a Grade II listed building. This protects it because of its special history and architecture.
The Mighty Waterwheel
One of the coolest things at the mill is its huge waterwheel. It's an overshot waterwheel, which means water flows over the top of the wheel to make it spin. This giant wheel weighs more than two tonnes, which is heavier than a car! It gets its power from the Back Stream, a small river that starts in the Brendon Hills.
Bringing the Mill Back to Life
For many years, the mill was not used. But since the year 2000, a lot of hard work has gone into fixing it up. The building was carefully renovated and opened to visitors in 2003. Now, people can come and learn all about how mills used to work.
Exploring Old Trades and Crafts
The museum part of Bishops Lydeard Mill shows you what life was like before modern machines. It focuses on traditional jobs and skills. You can see different workshops, like:
- A wheelwright's shop, where people made and repaired wooden wheels.
- A cooper's shop, where barrels and wooden containers were made.
- A saddler's shop, where saddles and other leather goods for horses were crafted.
- A blacksmith's shop, where metal was shaped using heat and tools.
- A Victorian kitchen, showing how families cooked and lived long ago.
It's a great place to see how people worked and lived in the past!
