Bridgwater Town Mill facts for kids

The Bridgwater Town Mill is an old building located at the end of Blake Street in Bridgwater, England. It sits right next to the Blake Museum. This mill used water from the Durleigh Brook to power its machinery.

The mill is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was once known as the Lytel Mill. Its main job was to grind corn for the people of Bridgwater. Today, it is a special "Grade II listed building," which means it's an important historical building protected by law.

A Mill Through History

The Bridgwater Town Mill has a long and interesting past. It was even mentioned in the famous Domesday Book in 1086. This book was a big survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. It listed the mill as one of the town's valuable resources.

The mill also appeared in many Bridgwater town records between 1361 and 1413. It was so important that it was included in a special royal document from Queen Elizabeth I in 1587. This document said that people living in Bridgwater had to grind their corn at the Little Mills. This rule helped make sure the mill was always busy and useful for the town.

From Grinding Corn to Pumping Water

In 1694, the mill changed its job. It was converted to pump water from the Durleigh Brook. This water was sent through special pipes made of hollowed-out elm trees. These pipes ran under the streets to a large tank called a cistern. The cistern was located under the town's High Cross.

From there, people called "hawkers" would carry water to homes. Many of these old elm pipes have been found during road repairs over the years. This important work was done by Richard Lowbridge and Daniel Dunnett, who also set up water systems in other towns.

The High Cross was taken down around 1800. Bridgwater didn't have a modern water supply until the 1870s. That's when the town council built the Ashford Waterworks.

The High Cross on Cornhill, which was taken down around 1800.

Changes and New Uses

In 1804, the mill was put up for sale. It had a large water wheel, about 15 feet (4.6 m) across. We don't know much about the exact machines inside from that time. However, some old parts show that the millstones were on the upper floor.

During the 1800s, the mill continued to grind corn. In 1858, it was updated to use steam power. A new section was built to hold the steam engine and its chimney. An advertisement from around 1860 said the mill had a 10 horsepower steam engine and three sets of millstones.

Soon after, it became a saw mill, cutting wood instead of grinding corn. By the end of the 1800s, it was no longer used for milling. It was then used by a builder, who also checked weights and measures for the town.

From about 1920 to 1940, a company that made wicker furniture used the building. Making wicker furniture was a popular local business back then. Later, another local builder used it. During World War II, it became a distribution center for Civil Defence, helping to organize supplies for emergencies.

The Mill around 1920. The building on the left later became the Blake Museum.

Fire and Future Plans

In 1987, the Bridgwater Museum Development Trust bought the mill. They planned to fix it up and make it part of the Blake Museum. Architects drew plans, and an archaeological survey was done to learn more about the mill's history.

However, before the work could start, a fire badly damaged the mill in June 1995. Most of the roof and the upper floor of the main mill were destroyed. Part of the museum's roof was also damaged. Some valuable paintings by John Chubb got smoke damage and needed special cleaning.

Smoke damage at the mill after the fire in June 1995.

After the fire, Sedgemoor District Council bought the mill. For safety, they carefully lowered the damaged upper walls. The Blake Museum was then given to the Bridgwater Town Council in 2009. Volunteers now manage the museum.

These volunteers worked hard to clear out the rubble inside the mill. They also repaired the roof of the part that was still standing. This space is now used to store items found during archaeological digs. Later, a wooden floor was put in over the cellar area. This made it easier to get into the building from the street.

In 2017, the Bridgwater Town Council approved a project to fully restore the main mill. They also plan to rebuild the water wheel. Designs and cost estimates are being prepared for this exciting project. The Friends of Blake Museum are organizing the work. Once finished, the restored mill will be a wonderful addition to the museum and the town of Bridgwater.

Images for kids

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  Location map of the mill in Blake Street