Combe Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Combe Mill |
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| Type | Sawmill |
| Location | Long Hanborough |
| OS grid reference | SP 41660 15041 |
| Area | Oxfordshire |
| Built | 1852 |
| Governing body | Combe Mill Society |
| Owner | Blenheim Palace Estate |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Combe Mill | |
| Designated | 29 June 1988 |
| Reference no. | 1053004 |
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Combe Mill is a special historic building located next to the River Evenlode in Oxfordshire, England. It's a type of factory called a sawmill, which is a place where logs are cut into planks and timber. The mill is close to Combe railway station, between the villages of Combe and Long Hanborough.
This old mill is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historic site. It was fixed up in the early 1970s and is now open for everyone to visit. It's a great place to learn about how things were made long ago!
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History of Combe Mill
Combe Mill was built in 1852. It was originally the main workshop for the huge Blenheim Palace Estate. Before this mill, there was an older flour mill from the 1600s on the same spot. That older mill was sold to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough in 1766.
How the Mill Was Powered
The mill first used a large waterwheel to get its power. Imagine a giant wheel turned by the flowing river! But sometimes the river didn't have enough water. So, in 1886, a special machine called a beam engine and a Cornish boiler were added. This allowed the mill to keep working even when the river was low.
The beam engine stopped working around 1922 and stayed quiet for many years. In 1934, the old wooden waterwheel was replaced with a new metal one. For about 40 years, the waterwheel was the main power source for the mill.
Combe Mill During World War I
During World War I, the government took over the mill. They installed extra steam engines to help it run faster. The mill was very important during the war. It produced wooden props and duck-boards. These were used in the trenches on the battlefield to help soldiers.
In the 1950s, electricity came to the mill, and the waterwheel became less important. By the mid-1960s, it wasn't used anymore. The channel that brought water to the wheel, called a leat, was filled in. The special gates that controlled the water flow, called sluices, were buried.
Restoring the Mill
In 1969, a group from the City and County Museum (now the County Museum) in Woodstock looked at the mill. They started talking with the Duke of Marlborough about fixing the old beam engine and boiler. It was a big project!
In September 1972, the beam engine was successfully started up again. It was the first time it had worked in sixty years! After this success, the Combe Mill Society was formed. This group helps take care of the mill. Combe Mill officially opened to the public in 1975. Since then, many other parts of the mill have been fixed up and brought back to life.
The mill still has some cool old items. You can see historic trade catalogues, which are like old shopping books. From these, people would choose tools and materials for the Blenheim Estate. There are also day books from the mid-1800s. These books show the names of the workers, how much they earned, and what jobs they did each day. It's like a peek into the past!
Visiting Combe Mill
Combe Mill is open for visitors between March and October. It's extra special on the third Sunday of those months because that's when the steam engine is running! Schools and other groups can also arrange visits at any time.
The mill also has a working forge. A forge is a place where metal is heated and shaped. Visitors can even try making their own fireplace pokers! It's a fun and hands-on way to experience history.
