House Mill facts for kids
The House Mill is a super old and important building in London. It sits right by the River Lea in an area called Mill Meads. This mill is part of a bigger group of buildings known as the Three Mills complex. It's so special that it's listed as a Grade I building, which means it's one of the most important historic places in the country!
Contents
The House Mill: A Historic Water Mill
The House Mill is a type of mill called a tidal mill. This means it uses the power of the ocean's tides to make its wheels turn. Mills have been on this spot for a very long time, even since 1086, when the famous Domesday Book was written. The building you see today, the House Mill, was first built in 1776 by a person named Daniel Bisson.
A Look Back in Time
After it was first built, the House Mill had some tough times. In 1802, a fire damaged it. But don't worry, it was rebuilt by someone named Philip Metcalfe. This shows how important the mill was to the area! Even today, the House Mill is known as the "largest tidal mill standing in Britain." While its big water wheels don't spin anymore, it's still an amazing piece of history.
Special Features of the Mill
If you look at the front of the House Mill, especially the side facing south, you'll see a special stone. It has a coat of arms carved into it and the date 1776. You can also see the letters "D S B," which might stand for Daniel and Sarah Bisson, the people who built it. There are also forty cast iron plates on the walls. These plates help hold the building together by tying the ends of the floor beams.
The Miller's House
Next to the House Mill, there used to be a house for the miller and their family. This house was rebuilt in 1995. It has a modern inside, but its outside looks just like the original. Sadly, during the Second World War, a bomb fell nearby in 1940. It damaged the miller's house and another house close by. After that, both houses were taken down. The mill then stopped grinding and was used as a storage building for a while.
