Kings Mill, Stamford facts for kids
King's Mill is a really old building in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. It used to be a watermill, which is a special kind of mill that uses the power of flowing water to grind grain or do other work. You can find it on Bath Row, at the bottom of a street called St Peter's Vale.
People believe there has been a mill here for a very long time, even since the time of the Domesday Book. The Domesday Book was like a big survey or census ordered by William the Conqueror way back in 1085. It recorded who owned land and what was on it across England. King's Mill got its name during the time of King John, who ruled England in the early 1200s.
The building you see today was built in the 1600s, which is the seventeenth century. It's considered a "Grade II listed building," which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
From Mill to Modern Use
For many years, King's Mill helped grind grain for the people of Stamford. But as times changed, it found new purposes.
A Place for Care
In 1967, the old mill was changed into a day care centre. This was a place where people could go during the day to get support or care, often for older adults or those who needed a bit of help.
A New Look and New Offices
Later, in 2018, the building got a big makeover! It was "refurbished," which means it was renovated and updated. Today, King's Mill is split into two main parts. Some of it is used as private homes. The other part is called King's Mill Centre and holds offices for companies like Bishopsgate Corporate Finance Ltd and BCF Private Equity. These companies deal with money and investments.
The Millstream and Its Surroundings
A special stream, called a millstream or leat, flows right next to King's Mill. This stream actually separates the town of Stamford from the open grassy areas known as the Meadows at Bath Row. The millstream eventually flows back into the main River Welland just before the town bridge.
Melancholy Walk
The raised bank next to the upper part of the millstream is known as Melancholy Walk. It's a nice path that looks out over the upper meadows. Sometimes, you can still see cattle grazing peacefully in these fields, just like they might have done centuries ago.
Water Control
The structures that control the water flow, called the weir and sluice, were updated when a large pumping station was built. This pumping station is important because it helps manage water for Rutland Water, a big reservoir nearby. The pumping station is located close to the modern A1 bridge, which crosses the River Welland. Interestingly, the path of the millstream follows part of the old town walls of Stamford, showing how important water was to the town's defenses and daily life long ago.
