2012
SO8832 : Abbey Mill and Weir, Tewkesbury
taken 12 years ago, near to Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England
Abbey Mill and Weir, Tewkesbury
There has been a mill on this site since around 1190. In monastic times, it was the principal mill for Tewkesbury Abbey from which it gets its name. The mill was rebuilt in 1793 and, at that time, had four wheels which powered the millstones. Although enlarged in the mid nineteenth century, Abbey Mill declined, following the construction of Healing’s Flour Mill at the northern end of the Ham, and eventually ceased operation as a mill in 1921, when it became a restaurant. In 2005, it was converted into a private residence.
The Mill Avon, which supplied water to drive the mill wheels, was originally constructed by the monks in the twelfth century. It was widened in the 15th century and sluice gates were added in 1935 to assist in the control of flood water. These were replaced in the early 1990s and the sluice control room was moved to its present housing, the white building above the footpath, which was designed to be in keeping with the architectural style of the existing buildings and the overall setting.
The mill is sometimes referred to as “Fletcher’s Mill”. Abel Fletcher was a Quaker miller who was immortalised in Mrs Craik’s nineteenth century novel “John Halifax – Gentleman”. It is regarded as a fine specimen of the “mellow brick” mill architecture and has been designated as a Grade II listed building.
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