Calcot Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calcot Mill |
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| Type | Watermill |
| Location | Mill Lane, Calcot |
| Area | Berkshire |
Calcot Mill is a really old building in Berkshire, England. It used to be a watermill, which is a special kind of mill that uses the power of flowing water to grind grain. This historic mill sits right next to the Holy Brook, which is a smaller channel of the River Kennet. You can find it near Calcot, which is a suburb of Reading.
Contents
What is a Watermill?
Have you ever wondered how people used to grind flour before electricity? They used watermills!
How Watermills Work
A watermill uses a large wheel that is turned by the force of moving water. This turning wheel powers machinery inside the mill. The machinery then grinds things like wheat or corn into flour. It was a very clever way to use nature's power.
The History of Calcot Mill
Calcot Mill has a long and interesting past, stretching back many centuries.
Monks and the Holy Brook
The very first mill on this spot belonged to Reading Abbey. This was a big and important abbey run by monks a long time ago. People believe that these monks actually created the Holy Brook. They dug this special channel to make sure their mills, including Calcot Mill, had a steady supply of water to power them.
A Railway Connection
Later on, from 1876 to 1928, Calcot Mill had a special connection to the GWR. A railway track called a "siding" ran right to the mill. This allowed trains to deliver and pick up goods. Interestingly, a horse was used to move the railway cars around the siding!
A Famous Painter's Visit
In 1881, a very famous American painter named John Singer Sargent visited the village of Calcot. He was a "post-impressionist" artist, known for his beautiful portraits and landscapes. He spent the summer there with his family, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
From Mill to Homes
Calcot Mill continued to operate as a flour mill for many years. However, in 1966, a big fire caused a lot of damage to the building. After the fire, the mill stopped grinding flour. Instead, the building was carefully rebuilt and turned into apartments, where people live today. It's cool to think that a building with such a long history is now a modern home!
