Hauxton Mill facts for kids
The Hauxton Mill is a classic English watermill located near Cambridge, England. It sits on the old A10 road, which connects Cambridge and Royston. Sadly, the mill was partially destroyed by a fire in July 2020.
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What is Hauxton Mill?
Hauxton Mill is an old watermill. Watermills use the power of flowing water to turn a large wheel. This wheel then powers machinery inside the mill. Historically, mills like Hauxton were used to grind grain into flour.
The Mill's Working Life
The mill stopped its main work in 1974. At that time, the last miller, Gerald Maurice Arthur "Moss" Turner, closed his businesses. These businesses operated from the mill and its surrounding land. The mill itself was part of a local landowner's estate.
Changes in the Neighborhood
For many years, a chemical company called "Pest Control" owned the land next to the mill. This company closed its plant in 2004. The land was then sold for a new housing development. This new area was named Hauxton Meadows.
New Owners and Uses
Later, a company called Fisons Agrochem bought the development site. They also bought nearby properties, including the mill site. This was because of new rules about residential areas. The mill site included the newer Hauxton Mill House, built around 1922. It also had Mill Cottage, which was rebuilt in 1973.
At first, Fisons rented the mill from its owner. They used the mill building for storage. People tried to get permission to change the mill's use. However, these requests were always turned down. This was because the mill had important historical value.
Mill House was changed into flats for a while. Later, it became an office. But by the mid-1980s, it was no longer used.
The Mill Falls Apart
The mill was left empty and uncared for. Its doors and windows were blocked up. Over time, the building started to fall apart. Around 1980, a storm caused a tree to crash into the wooden mill wheel. This damage meant the mill could no longer work. The remains of the tree have since been removed. Also, a metal grate in front of the wheel, which had been taken away, has now been put back.
A New Beginning: SciTech Park
In 2018, the o2h group bought Hauxton Mill. They began to develop the site into something new. It is now called Mill SciTech Park.
The o2h co-work labs runs this SciTech Park. It is a special place in Hauxton, Cambridge. It welcomes entrepreneurs, scientists, and tech-savvy people. It also has high-quality laboratories. This creates a unique environment for new ideas and discoveries to grow.
