TL2871 : Houghton Mill - Meal Floor
taken 12 years ago, near to Houghton, Cambridgeshire, England
Houghton Mill is a very large watermill, at its peak running 10 stones at one tonne of flour an hour.
It is a 17th C building, enlarged in the 19th C. Alterations can be seen easily throughout the building. There were three wheels, two on the southern side (gone) and a restored smaller one on the northern side. Inside is a well preserved, well presented National Trust property with considerations for the photographer.
In the late 1990s the northern side was restored and recommissioned, flour is ground on Sundays only due to water permits. However a hydro-turbine is being fitted and a new set of stones to grind in the week. In the 1930s Houghton was sold to the locals who donated it to the NT, who leased it to the Youth Hostel association from 1934 to 1982. Now it's a popular spot for all.