Otterton Mill facts for kids
Otterton Water Mill is a historic watermill located in the village of Otterton, near Budleigh Salterton in Devon, England. It sits right next to the beautiful River Otter. This mill is very old and has a long history of grinding grain using the power of water.
Contents
A Look Back at the Mill's History
How Old Is It?
The Otterton Water Mill has been around for a very long time! It was first written about in a famous old book called the Domesday Book in 1086. This book was like a big survey of England, ordered by William the Conqueror. Back then, the mill had three sets of grinding stones, which are big, heavy stones used to crush grain into flour.
Who Owned the Mill?
Over the centuries, the mill and the land around it changed hands many times. At one point, King Henry V gave the mill to a group of nuns at Syon Abbey. Later, when monasteries were closed down in England, the mill was sold to a family named Duke. They owned it for about 200 years! After that, it was sold again in 1785 to Denys Rolle. Eventually, through marriage, the mill became part of the Clinton family's large estates, and they still own it today.
The Mill's Journey to Today
The mill stopped grinding grain in 1959. For a while, the buildings were just used to store grain. But in 1977, a person named Desna Greenhow worked hard to fix up the old watermill. Thanks to her efforts, the mill started working again and has been running ever since!
What You Can Find at the Mill Today
Today, Otterton Water Mill is much more than just a place to grind grain. It's a popular spot for visitors!
- There's a working bakery where you can see bread being made.
- A shop sells local products and gifts.
- A restaurant offers tasty food.
- An art and crafts gallery displays beautiful works by local artists.
Discovering History at the Mill
The mill also hosts a special event every year. A team of experts, called the "Portable Antiquities team," visits to look at old items that people have found in the area. It's a great chance to learn about the history hidden right under our feet!
See also
- List of oldest companies
External links
