Ditherington Flax Mill facts for kids
The Ditherington Flax Mill, promoted as the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, is a flax mill in the county town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England. It is the world's first iron-framed building. It is also seen as the world's first skyscraper, often being described as "the grandfather of skyscrapers", despite it being only as tall as a modern-day five-storey building. In the 1950s, it became a Grade I listed building. The site is currently under restoration and is in the hands of Historic England with restricted public access.
Its architect was Charles Bage, who designed the mill using an iron-framed structure, inspired by the work of William Strutt. The columns and cross-beams were made by William Hazledine at his foundry in Shrewsbury. The construction of the mill ran from 1796 to 1797, at a cost of £17,000 (including equipment).
It has a visitor centre, which is located in the former office and stables block. It opens to the public on Saturdays from November to March and also on Fridays and Sundays from April to October with currently limited access to the site due to the current restoration works. Guided tours of the mill are conducted by Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings on Heritage Open Days in early to mid September.
Images for kids
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West side of the Main Mill c.2002 prior to restoration.
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North-east side of the mill in June 2013 showing the scaffolding with white plastic sheeting for the restoration. Taken from the junction of St Michael's Street and Sultan Road.
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The mill in snow in December 2017 from the junction of St Michael's Street and Sultan Road.
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South-east side in snow in December 2017 taken from Marshalls Court.
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West side of the site in snow, December 2017. Taken from Hencote Lane, Shrewsbury.
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South-east side of the Main Mill facing Marshalls Court on a Heritage Open Day in September 2018. The white plastics sheets overhead have been removed following restoration of the roof.
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Restoration work on the top floor of the Main Mill in September 2018 with the work on the windows.
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West side of the Main Mill in September 2018.
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East side facing the junction of St Michael's Street and Sultan Road in December 2018 after the scaffolding was removed for the first time in about twelve years.
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West side of the site in December 2018. Taken from Hencote Lane, Shrewsbury.
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The Visitor Centre in the former office block (smithy in the flax mill era).
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The former stables forming part of the Visitor Centre.
See also
In Spanish: Molino de Lino de Ditherington para niños
