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stones. Soon after it became a saw mill. It became unused by the end of the C19, and then occupied by a builder who was also the
Borough's Weights and Measures inspector. Between c1920-c1940 it housed a firm making wicker furniture, which was an extensive local trade then. It was then used by a local builder, and during the second world war was a distribution centre for Civil Defence.
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The
Bridgwater Town Council authorised a project in 2017 to restore the main mill to its original profile and also the wheel, and the designs and estimates are being prepared. The work is being organised by the Friends of Blake Museum. When finished it will be a valuable addition to the facilities of
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and as a safety measure the
Council dropped the upper walls of the damaged part, leaving them standing to first-floor level. The museum was transferred to the Bridgwater Town Council in 2009 and is managed now by volunteers. They cleared the rubble from inside and refurbished the roof of the standing
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And in consideration of the promises and for the great
Gratuity by us unto the Inhabitants of the said Borough bestowed we will and Rightly enjoyne and command the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of the said Borough that neither they nor any of them from henceforth forever do suffer or allow any persons
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the ministers of us our Heirs and
Successors, or the Ministers or Millers of the Tenants or Farmers of us our Heirs and Successors for the time being assigned or appointed there for Grinding the same Grain and Malt and Corn if the same Farmers or Millars may or can conveniently or in reasonable time
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It came on the market in 1987 and was purchased by the
Bridgwater Museum Development Trust as an extension to the Blake Museum. An archaeological survey was done, and architect's plans made to restore the mill and incorporate it into the museum, but it was damaged by fire in 1995 before work could
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F. DENMAN RESPECTFULLY Informs the Public in general of
Bridgwater and the neighbouring Parishes, that his STEAM AND WATER-POWER MILLS ARE NOW OPEN to the Public for Grinding Corn and other grain, in large or small quantities (either in Summer or Winter,) and on the shortest notice. Blake Street,
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It was used during the nineteenth century as a corn mill and in 1858 converted to steam power for which an extension was built housing the engine and boiler with its chimney. A broadside advertising the mill for rent, published c1860 noted that there was at 10 HP steam engine and 3 pairs of mill
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portion, so space could be used as storage for the museum's collection of artefacts recovered from archaeological excavations. Later, a wooden floor was inserted over the cellar area of the main mill so ready access to the building could be had from the street.
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or persons being inhabitants of the said
Borough, Suburbs or Precincts to utter or sell any ale or Beer within the said Borough or to exercise the Art Mystery or Offices of a Brewer or Brewers within the said Borough Liberties or precincts thereof,
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At the beginning of the nineteenth century the High Cross was demolished, and the town did not have a proper water supply until the 1870s, when the
Borough Council built the Ashford Waterworks.
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but only such as from time to time do Grind or cause to be Ground all and all manner of Corne, Malt and Grain at our Mills called the Little Mills in or near
Bridgwater aforesaid,
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begin and most of the roof and upper floor of the main mill were destroyed. Part of the roof of the end of the museum was damaged, and a number of the paintings by
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In 1694 it was converted to pump water from the brook to a cistern under town's High Cross on Cornhill, from where hawkers carried water to the inhabitants. Bored
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through St Saviour's Clyse. It dates from the Middle Ages and later known as the Lytel Mill, and ground corn for the town. It is a Grade II listed building.
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Quoted by Chris Sidaway's archaeological report on the Mill excavation, May 1994. Copy in the Blake Museum collection, as is the broadside advertisement.
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pipes were installed below the streets, many of which have been dug up during roadworks over the years. The work was undertaken by Richard Lowbridge, a
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ironmonger, and Daniel Dunnett, a carpenter, who was perhaps responsible for the construction of the machinery. They established waterworks at
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C18/19 volume of transcriptions of the Borough Charters in the Blake Museum, pp 44-5. BWRAB : 1993/19. Has a marginal note:-
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Dispatch or do the same, taking such and like reasonable Tolne , as on Old times the t have used and ought to do
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It was also mentioned in various Bridgwater Borough documents between 1361 and 1380 and again in 1413.
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207:. Somerset Record Society,Vol 48 1933, Docs 194,222; Vol 55 1938, Doc. 357; Vol 58, Doc. 566; 1943.
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The Mill was offered for sale in April 1804. It had a 15 feet (4.6 m) diameter
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Advertising brochure for the Town Mill Wicker Works in the Blake Museum collection.
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It featured in the Borough's royal charter of Elizabeth: Elizabeth I. 4 July 1587
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The Mill, c 1920. The building to the left later became the Blake Museum.
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38:. It is fed by the Durleigh Brook, which discharges into the
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95:The High Cross on Cornhill, demolished c 1800
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231:"Bridgwater water supply and public health"
219:All corn to be ground at ye Queens Mills.
22:Location map of the mill in Blake Street
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400:Grade II listed buildings in Sedgemoor
125:Smoke damage after the fire, June 1995
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137:The mill was subsequently bought by
168:National Heritage List for England
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308:"Bridgwater weights and measures"
261:Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette
30:is at the end of Blake Street,
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205:Bridgwater Borough Archives
190:"Bridgwater Domesday entry"
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334:"Museum development plans"
275:- Wednesday 05 May, 1858
245:"Mill information leaflet"
139:Sedgemoor District Council
146:the museum and the town.
263:- Thursday 19 April 1804
88:at about the same time.
45:It was mentioned in the
405:Mill museums in England
285:Bridgwater, April, 1858
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410:Watermills in Somerset
279:BRIDGWATER TOWN MILLS.
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348:"Account of the fire"
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376:51.12692°N 3.00153°W
28:Bridgwater Town Mill
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381:51.12692; -3.00153
273:Bridgwater Mercury
170:. Historic England
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203:Dilkes, T.Bruce.
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36:Blake Museum
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78:Stourbridge
394:Categories
364:51°07′37″N
174:8 February
164:"Old Mill"
150:References
132:John Chubb
86:Barnstaple
32:Bridgwater
367:3°00′06″W
82:Exeter
311:(PDF)
248:(PDF)
176:2019
84:and
26:The
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