Broxbourne Mill facts for kids
Broxbourne Mill is a historic place found in the beautiful Lee Valley Park. It's located in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. This old mill site is now a fun place for families to visit. You can explore nature and learn about its past.
Contents
Discovering Broxbourne Mill's Long History
How Old is Broxbourne Mill?
Imagine a building that stood for 900 years! A mill was here for a very long time. Sadly, a big fire destroyed it on October 1, 1949. This mill is super old. It's even mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. This was a huge survey of England. It means the mill was important even way back then.
Who Owned the Mill?
The first owners we know about were the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. They were a group of knights. They owned the mill until 1544. This was during a big change in England called the Reformation. The mill stopped grinding grain in 1891. After that, it was used for many different things until the fire.
Bringing Broxbourne Mill Back to Life
Restoring the Old Mill Site
After the fire, parts of the mill were left. In 1977, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority helped fix them up. They worked on brick walls from the 1500s. They also restored window frames from the 1800s. These were from the miller's old house.
The Amazing Water Wheel
The original water wheel has been fixed too! Its paddles are now made from recycled plastic. These new paddles last longer. They also weigh less. This means less stress on the old wheel. It helps the wheel work better. They also added a new side sluice. This is a gate that lets extra water flow through.
Exploring the Old Mill and Meadows Site Today
What Can You See at the Meadows?
The mill and its surroundings are now open to everyone. This area is called the Old Mill and Meadows site. A big part of it is wet meadows. These are perfect homes for water voles. You might spot these cute creatures.
Wildlife Around the Mill
In the summer, you can see beautiful dragonflies and damselflies. They fly over the tall reedbeds. A small area of woodland is also part of the site. This provides a safe home for many birds. It also gives cover for small mammals. You might see a fox or a muntjac deer hiding there.
Fun Activities at the Millpool
There are other fun things to do here. You can go angling (fishing) in the millpool. Fishing is also allowed in the millstream. If you like cycling, you can rent bikes during certain seasons. There is even a model railway club. They open to the public at special times.
Visitor Facilities at Broxbourne Mill
- Riverside holiday chalets
- Car Park
- Toilets
- Refreshments (drinks and snacks) are available at certain times
How to Get to Broxbourne Mill
By Train
- Broxbourne railway station is very close by.
By Bus
- You can take bus routes 310, 311, or C3.
By Car
- Take the A10 to the A1170.
- Then, turn onto the B194 towards Broxbourne Station.
- Take the second right onto Churchfields.
- Then, take the first left onto Mill Lane.
By Foot or Bike
- You can also walk or cycle along the Lea Valley Walk.
