Watermills extremely sought after

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by Kay Murchie

Watermills are becoming extremely sought after and Britain was once over-run with them. More than 10,000 controlled the energy of the rivers to do the heavy work that man was unable to do.

However, times have transformed, millstreams in the 19th century dried up as new water boards extracted water for domestic use. Many mills were left disused by the advances of the Industrial Revolution. Many of the buildings burnt down in insurance swindles, some were left to rot and many were converted into houses, offices or flats.

Around 25 mills are around the UK, the majority are in the south west. Lechlade Mill, near Cirencester is currently for sale, a luxurious £3.5 million house with 7 bedrooms and boasts 8.5 acres of land with guest cottages, fishing rights and tennis courts.

Mills can generate sufficient electricity to sell some back to the grid whereas many would benefit from being transferred into a bed and breakfast business or could be used for weddings due to the charming scenery that many of the mills offer.