image/svg+xml
Hexham
Corbridge
Ovingham
Wylam
Riding Mill
Stocksfield
Prudhoe
Crawcrook
Ryton
Blaydon
Winlaton
Swalwell
Whickham
Newcastle
Dunston
Gateshead
Sunniside
Marley Hill
Byermoor
Burnopfield
Stanley
Beamish
Chester -le-Street
Pelton
Birtley
Ouston
Perkinsville
Wrekenton
Greenside
Rowlands Gill
High Spen
Chopwell
Winlaton Mill
Ebchester
Hamsterley
Blackhall Mill
Shotley Bridge
Consett
Blanchland
Edmondbyers
New Ridley
Hedley on the Hill
Whitley Chapel
Slaley
Wooley
Leadgate
Medomsley
Anfield Plain
Dipton
Tantobie
Tanfield
Kibblesworth
Craghead
Acomb
Wall
Ridley Mill
Whitehill Flint
pre-1789
Wintrip’s
Clay Mill
C20
Clay Mill C20
Whickham Windmill
Heworth
1279
T
yne
pre 1113
The Lantern
1720
Whickham
1702
Old windmill
pre-1600
Windmill Hill
Hexham 1778
Beamish Colliery
W
ater Pump
1768
Low
T
eams
Bridge
1735
Bob Gins
W
ater
Pump
1726
Saw
Mill
Beaufront
Castle
1865
Ravensworth
C18
Saw Mill
South of Windmill
Hill 1826
Tyne Saw Mill
1888-1913
Massey’s Mill
Massey’s
1767
Holme
1614
Dilston Haugh
1815
Newbiggin
early C19
Shotley Grove High
1703
Snipes Dene
17thC
Lintz
f
ord
C14
Flint/Saw
1180
Huntley Haugh
C14
Axwell Park
1635
Swalwell High
C17
Holme
1614
Low Waskerley
Farm Pre 1862
Ravensworth
Coal 1670
Middle
F
orge
1714
High
F
orge
1714
Urpeth
F
orge
1748
Low/Hussey’s
F
orge
1714
non_ferrous_metal
Ryton Lead Smelting
1690
Birkley Burn Lead Smelting
1683
Jeffrey’s New
Lead Smelting
1713
Shildon Lead Mine
1475
Dukesfield Old Mill
Lead Smelting 1666
Old Lead
Smelting Mill C18
Blackhall
1630/53
Redlead
C17
Acton Mill
Lead Smelting 1742
Lead Mill
C18
High Acton
Lead Smelting 1708
Healeyfield Lead Mine
(medieval)
Newlands
1268
F
eldon Lead
Smelting Mill 1670
Newlands Mill
(Healey)
Eastwood
1621
Whittle
1560
Gibside
pre-1735
Paper
pre-1732
Whitehill
pre-1789
Lintz Old
1888-1913
Urpeth 1792
F
ulling Mill
C17
Dye House
F
ulling Mill
C17
Lambshield
pre 1801
Mill Shield
W
ollen
1540
Dipton
F
ulling Mill
1670
Ebchester
Low
1759
Mutton House
1720
Path Head Mill
Hobby’s Mill
Belt/Whitfield Mill
Haggerston’s Mill
Bradley Mill
Swalwell Mill
Slaley
1608
Clock Mill
1833
Path Head
Haggerston’s/
F
enwick’s
1769/1775
F
oster’s
1632
Hobby’s
1767/75
Belt/Whitfield
1709
High Mill
C18
Hack
f
ord
1800
Hedley
1552
Blanchland
1621
Healey
1608
Whitley
1350
Dukesfield
1797
Shotley Bridge
1687
Mill Shield
1747
Eddy’s Bridge
1726
Prudhoe Castle
1307
Riding Mill
14th C
Ridley Mill
1566
Ovingham Mill
and Fishery
1245
Linnels Bridge
1630
Dipton
1583
Acomb
1226
Corbridge
1345
W
all
1721
Hermitage
1608
Moor
1382
Byerside
Leap Mill
C18
Chopwell
pre-15thC
Beamish Hall
1277
F
arnacres Mill
pre-1545
Cowclose
1750
Chester
pre-1183
Lamesley
c.1200
Black Burn
1480
Causey
1441
T
eams Bridge High
1735
Clockburn
1318
W
ylam
late C11
Harding’s
Mill
1183
Goodshields
Haugh
1391
Ryton/Bishops
1183
Bywell
1230
Crawcrook
1183
Bradley
pre-1320
Eavans Mill
post-1700
Swalwell
1382
Slaley
Warden
1827
Shotleyfield
1765
Harperley Hall
1888-1913
Tyne Mills
Pre 1113
Low Teams
Bridge
1735
Newlands
1268
Allens
f
ord
1582
Urpeth
1365
Ravensworth
C14
Blackhall
(Dye House) 1621
Tyne Corn
Mills 1113
Low Dam
1697
Mill #1 Crowley Iron
W
orks
1697
Urpeth
1714
Allens
f
ord Blast
F
urnace 1692
Wheelbirks Iron
Smelting
1566
Milne Field
F
orge
1608
Hodgeson/Blakiston
F
orge
1614
Blackhall Mill
pre-1720
F
urnace Mill
1745
Whitehill
F
urnace
1729
T
eams Bridge High
1735
Dunston
F
orge
1735
Derwentcote
Steel
F
orge/
f
urnace
1718
Swalwell
1382
Wood
Lead
Misc
Iron
Mixed use
Wind
All on/off
Pre 1800
1801-1859
1860-1897
1898-1913
1914-1940s
Mills Time Slices
© Land of Oak & Iron Trust 2023
Reset
Built up areas
Industrial areas
1860
1960
2020
X
Massey’s Forge
Massey’s Forge. 18th century corn mill and later
19th century forge.
A 1767 Newcastle Journal notice states ‘a new
built barley mill with large granaries and all
necessary conveniences.’
A 1982 archaeological survey says the horse shoe
dam could not conclusively be dated earlier than
1800 though there is evidence that it was built
over an earlier straight dam structure.
Remains of the horseshoe dam, mill building and
at least one wheel pit survive and can be visited
on public land.HER 3431&3432.
X
Path Head Mill
The village of Path Head was connected with the Nunnery at
Stella Hall.
Path Head Farm, once belonging to the Cowen’s of Stella Hall
(HER ref. 1694), played an important role in the economy of the
area providing horses and other services to the horse drawn
wagonways and coal mines in the area.
Of the surviving buildings, the mill appears to be slightly later in
construction, but documentary evidence suggests that the mill
pre-dates the main farm buildings,which are thought to have
been built prior to the mid 19th century.
The documentary investigation of this site is complicated by the
existence of a further watermill on the banks of the Blaydon
Burn, which is also referred to as Path Head Mill (HER ref. 3423).
The buildings, with the exception of the later farmhouse, dating
from the early years of the 20th century, were in place by the
mid 1850s.
The corn mill and leat were restored by the Vale Mill Trust in
1995-6, and the farmhouse and outbuildings were converted for
residential use soon after.
Website https://pathheadwatermill.org/
X
Haggerstone’s/Fenwick’s Mill
Haggerstones/Fenwick’s Mill. Corn&File Cutting.
Pre-1736-1861. A series of owners and millers resulted
in multiple names being applied.
In 1896 the antiquarian Bourne states:
“The ruins of Fenwick’s Flour Mill are next…
the mill was last used by Messrs Bagnall as a file cutting
establishment”.
The 1821 Towneley valuation states :
“John Fenwick – Corn Mill with two pairs of stones.
Building out of repair, granary, two small byers, stable
and barn, all in bad condition”.
The mill is on the 1st edition OS map and 1838 tithe map
as Haggerstone’s Mill. Disused by 1896.
X
Hoplyh or Hobby’s Mill
Hoplyh or Hobby’s mill. In 1775 called Hoplyh’s
Mill, then Burn’s Mill after the miller Wm Burn.
By 1896 owned by Ed. Gibson and called Gibson’s
Mill. A stone channel is visible beside the
pathway.
This site probably contains the earliest built
features of the Blaydon Burn valley. The
remains of
a two storey barn with waterwheel pit are visible.
In 1896 it was the only mill to be still working on
the Blaydon Burn but demolished in the 1920s.
Also known as Path Head Mill, not to be confused
with the other Path Head Mill on the Stella Burn.
The site is visible on public land.
X
Belt’sMill
Belt’s Mill was a three storey mill of sandstone rubble
with plain ashlar sills and lintels and with a later Welsh
slate roof dating from about 1709.
By 1790 it was known as Brockwell Mill, advertised in
1807 as ‘an excellent water corn mill, nearly new’ and by
1856 was owned by Belt and Whitfield, grocers, drapers
and millers, but disused by 1896.
The building was used by the colliery and later a scrap
yard. It was the last mill building to survive intact into
the 2nd half of the 20th C.
In 1981 a wall collapsed and it was demolished.
HER1641.
X
Foster’s Mill
A flour mill formerly belonged to Anthony Foster.
Adjoining it stood a forge belonging to Clark Foster.
Foster’s mill is shown on the earliest map of the area
in 1632.
Fireclay was worked at Blaydon Burn in the
1760’s and by 1798 John Forster (sic) was paying 6s/3d
(16½ p) rental to work here.
Joseph Cowen joined his brother in law John Forster
in business and by 1834, 7 brick kilns operated at the
High Yard. Work ceased in 1919 but joiners and pattern
makers continued until the 1950’s.
HER1639
X
Robinson’s Mill
Greenwell Mill, a corn mill aka Robinson’s Mill
and
Shipping’s Mill, was for sale in 1813 as a
Flint Mill with a flint kiln.
By 1896 only a chimney remained.
The Newcastle Courant of 24th April 1813
advertised “To be let at May-day next, a mill
situated at Blaydon Burn, the property of the
late Mr. Robert Paddison, lately deceased, has
been
employed in the manufacture of flint for
different
potteries…with flint kiln, dwelling
house and all other suitable conveniences…”.
They are on the tithe map of 1838 and 1855 OS
map. It is ‘disused’ on the 1898 map. The site is
visible on public land.
X
Wintrip’s/High Mill
Wintrip’s Mill, also known as High Mill was throughout
its life variously used for grinding corn and flint and as
a Coal Mill.
Mentioned by Bourne in 1896 : ‘After passing a small pit…
the remains of Wintrip’s Flour Mill are on the left of the
waggonway. The mill race is now filled up and the arms
of the water wheel are at rest. The miller’s house is still
standing”.
It is not clear whether the mill was subsequently rebuilt,
but it was disused by 1896 and the associated dam had
disappeared.
The site is on public land and can be visited easily.
HER3421.
X
Crawcrook Mill
Crawcrook corn Mill, aka Glenny’s Mill.
Boldon Buke shows a Crawcrook Mill in 1183 .
In 1320 there is reference to “a capital messuage,
water mill and land in Bradley”, and in 1390 in the vill of
Crawcrook. This implies two mills in the Middle Ages
but it is unclear.
In 1800 the enclosure award lists a “water corn mill
called Crawcrook East Mill”, and the 1st OS map shows
Crawcrook Mill with a mill dam fed from Eadington Well.
The 19th Century mill may have been on the site of one of
the mills. Demolished in early 1900s.
No remains exist but the site is public land. HER 525
X
Bradley Mill
A corn mill on the 1st edition OS map, but its
origins are obscure. In addition to mediaeval
references to the mill of Crawcrook, there is
specific mention in 1320 to a corn mill in
Bradley.
The arrangement of two mills is perhaps made
more likely by the division of Crawcrook
between Kepier Hospital and the Horsleys of
Bradley in the 14th century.
A mill is shown on the 1st edition OS map and
a mill at Bradley Mill is mentioned in deeds
dated 1320.
There is no physical evidence remaining and
there is no public access. HER526.
X
Wylam Mill
Wylam Corn Mill dates from the 11th century and was
owned by the Priors of Tynemouth.
One Priory record for 1295 states:
‘Robert Long holds 8 acres, rent 3s. He shall reap in the
Autumn as much as be necessary for the Priory… He shall
work at the mill when necessary.’
‘Dolfin pays for his house 12d yearly…..he shall make the
hay and shall be with his neighbours at the mill for one
work day’.
The mill converted to steam in 1871 and closed in 1948.
It is now flats. A photo from 1903 shows Mill owner,
Edward Young with staff.
X
Prudhoe Castle Mill
Function: Corn, one of the two mills listed in an
inventory of 1307.
Ceased working mid 19th century.
X
Swalwell Mill
Swalwell Mill is in Hatfield’s 1382 Survey as held
communally by the tenants. Wm Swalwell held the
mill dam.
The Parliamentary Survey of 1647 lists
“…a Water Corn Milne…called… Swalwell Milne…now
quite decayed …”
Bourn in 1893 states “At the east end (of Swalwell), down
the lane which the visitor approaches before reaching
the Board schools was Rogers Well. 60 years ago, at this
part of the village there was a mill for grinding corn, the
wheel been driven by water conveyed in a spout across
the road from a spring in the adjoining field.”
No remains exist. The site is under the A1 flyover.
X
Eavan’s Mill, also known as Harding’s Mill or Clockburn
Mill is perhaps the Whickham Mill mentioned in
Boldon Book of 1183 where the rights to it also
mention fishing rights. In a charter of the Earl of
Strathmore in 1318 it is called the Clockemthin Mill
and the ownership includes fishing rights on the
Derwent.
In 1632 the Hardings owned the mill which
is at the bottom of Clockburn Lane adjacent to the
Butterfly Bridge. The ruins of the mill and mill race can
still be traced today.
The ruins are visible on public land.
Hardings Mill
X
Leap Mill
Leap Mill, Burnopfield:
Function Corn Mill.
Extensive remains of 18th century mill
including race, resevoir and mill workings
(listed building).
X
Steelclose Mill
Function Corn Mill.
Still in use in 1912 but, derelict by 1966.
X
Hamsterley Mill
Function Corn Mill.
Post mediaeval.
Went out of use between 1890 and 1912.
Kelly’s directory of 1890 shows Jn. Allison as
the miller.
X
Byerside Mill
Function Barley Mill.
Derwent Lodge on site listed in 1569 when
Derwent Cote estate split.
Fell into ruin sometime between 1733 and
1742.
X
Ebchester High Mill
Function: Corn.
One of three mills on the same leat at
Ebchester.
Earliest date unknown, still in use in the
early 20th century.
A charter from 1180s refers to a mill at
Ebchester but its location is unknown.
X
Function: Corn.
Earliest mention is in 1268 showing Walter
of Newland earned £7 pa from the mill with
annual rent payable to Robert de Wybrs.
Mentioned in George Liddle’s accounts in
1737.
Newlands Mill
X
Shotley Bridge Sword Mill
Sword Mill 1687 to 1849, then a corn mill.
Owned by John Annandale and then the
Co-op until 1933.
Associated with Sword Makers of Shotley
Bridge.
X
Shotleyfield Mill
Function: Corn.
1765 to early 20thC.
Site shown on OS map of 1864.
X
Chopwell Mill
Function: Corn.
A mediaeval mill existed on this site.
The mill was last used in 1895 before being
demolished in 1896.
X
Allensford Mill
Function: Corn.
1582 – circa 1900.
George Corry was miller around 1860 according
to WR Wiggen writing in 1914.
‘Corn’ shown on 1894 OS map but ‘disused’ by
1919.
The building has now been converted to
residential use and can be seen from the Road.
X
Eddy’s Bridge Mill
Function: Corn.
1726 to late 19th Century.
X
Millshield Wool and Corn Mill
Function: Fulling Mid 14th century to 1747.
Corn mill 1747 to mid 20th century.
A mill with a 1000m millrace and sluice.
Uncertain dating but assessed as Post mediaeval.
Mill lies submerged under Derwent Reservoir.
X
Blanchland Mill
Function, Corn & Fulling.
CWO Addleshaw shows the site as a Fulling Mill in
his history pamphlet, but it was almost certainly the
Corn Mill in the days of Blanchland Abbey, so may
date back to pre-reformation.
Evidence of the mill race exists.
X
Ovingham Mill & Fishery
Function: Corn.
Existed from 1245 to 1768.
The weir on the Tyne also included fish traps.
X
Whittle Mill
Function: Corn.
Existed from 1560 to mid 19th century.
Standing remains are visible.
X
Warden Mill
Function: Corn and pumping mill.
Earliest date 1827.
Remains of mill race can still be seen.
Post card dated 1890 shows mill wheel in situ.
X
Wall Mill (Grade II listed Building)
Function: Corn Mill building from 1721.
Includes internal wheel and machinery.
The mill was still in operation in 1894.
X
Acomb Mill (Listed building)
Function: Corn
A water mill existed from 1226. A windmill was
constructed in 1720, as the Birkley Burn was
providing insufficient power.
The current building is late 18th century. The mill was
converted to steam power in the 19th century.
The building is privately owned, but can be viewed
from the exterior.
X
Hermitage Mill
Function: Corn
Situated in an area of land north of the Tyne owned
by Hexham Priory.
X
Tyne Mills (site of)
Function: Corn
Had three sets of grind stones.
First mentioned in 1113 when it was donated to the
Prior of Hexham.
Shown on 1861 OS map.
Building demolished in 1969.
X
Dilston (Earl’s) Mill (site of)
Function: Corn
Shown on 1861 OS map.
X
Riding Mill
Function: Corn then saw mill.
There has been a mill on the site since at least the
14th C.
The current building is late 17th/ early 18th C.
In 1902 it was converted to a saw mill. Today it is a
private dwelling.
X
Linnolds (Linnels) Mill (Remains of)
Function: Corn and later Electricity
Mill on site from 14th century.
The current building dates from 1630. It was
converted to generate electricity after 1890.
(Listed building visible from Linnels bridge)
X
Ridley Mill
Function: Corn
Dating from 1556, there are visible remains.
X
Bywell Mill
Function: Corn
The site of the 18th century mill is thought to lie near
the castle. It is shown on an engraving of 1754 and on
one of 1814 it is in ruins.
A mill is also documented in mediaeval times from
the 13th century, but its location is unknown.
X
Dipton Mill
Function: Corn
Earliest records date from 1583.
The mill was modernised in 1778, but had a serious
fire in 1783 and probably ceased milling at this point.
It was converted to a public house (Dipton Mill Pub).
X
Whitley Mill
Function: Corn
A mill has existed at this site since at least 1350 and
is documented in 1591, 1598 and 1620.
The current building has been converted into a
private dwelling, but the leat and weir still exist.
X
Finechambers Mill
Function: Corn
Operated by John Lowes in the 1820s, the mill ceased
operation in 1897.
It has now been converted into a domestic dwelling.
X
Dukesfield Mill
Function: Corn.
Earliest date 1797.
Shown on 1861 OS Map.
X
Healey Mill
Function: Corn
First mentioned in a survey of 1608.
The current building on the site is from the 18th
century and ceased being a mill in about 1900.
It is now a private dwelling with the leat and
waterwheel still present.
Prior to closure it briefly generated electricity for
the Healey Estate.
X
Clock Mill
Function: Corn
Last used as a mill in 1833 according to local
historian Wm Bourne.
Site is on the bend in Ellison Rd, Dunston opposite
St Philip Neri School.
No physical evidence other than the name of
Clockmill Rd.
On Tithe Map 1842.
X
Low Team Bridge Mill
Function: Corn
Listed in sale to Thodosia Crowley in 1735 as a corn
mill.
Later functioned as power source to Dunston Forge.
Site viewable but no visible remains exist.
X
Teams Bridge High Mill
Function: Corn Mill and adjacent Iron Forge.
Leased as a Cornill to Theodosia Crowley in 1735
and converted to power the nearby forge.
Site now completely covered by modern
industrial ..units in the Team ValleyTrading Estate.
X
Blackburn Mill
Function: Corn
The mill is mentioned in 13th and 16th century
deeds, on land between the vill of Lamsley and
Blakeburne.
The site of the mill is unknown, but there is a
cottage on the south side of the Blackburn called
Millgreen cottage.
X
Cowclose Mill
Function: Corn
Built after the coal mill was abandoned in 1750.
The Coal mill leat was diverted to power the mill.
X
Ravensworth Mill
Function: Corn
Hatfield’s Survey, late 14th century lists a mill nears
Ravensworth rented by Robert de Lomley for 6d
per anum.
The location is not known. Twsitelines suggests it
could be where the Coal mill was built.
X
Causey Mill
Function: Corn
When the mill was demolished in 1938, a lintel
stone with the date 1441 carved in it was removed.
X
Lamesley Mills
Function: Corn
Written records show a mill existed at Lamesley in
the early 13th C when permisssion to build a
second mill was approved.
Evidence of these mills continues in deeds up to
1487.
The site of these mills is unknown, but one possible
site is to the west of North Farm.
X
Moor Mill
Function: Corn
Moor Mill is noted in Hatfield’s survey of 1382.
A corn mill with a vast pond, and leat is shown on the
1857 OS map. Possibly a medieval water mill site.
Newcastle Courant, 26th October 1754, states ‘as fitted
with 3 pairs of French stones and a pair of blue stones.’
With four pairs of stones the mill must have been large
for its day.
It was mentioned by the 18th century Swedish
industrial spy, Angerstein in 1754. Mapping suggests it
was disused by the late 19th C.
No trace of the mill survives, although the area of the
mill pond can be seen and the head race exists. The
current buildings are private.
X
Beamish Hall Mill
Function: Corn
Possibly a mediaeval manorial corn mill dating
from 1277.
Inconclusive evidence of its precise location leads
one to suspect that this may be the same mill as
Beamish Mill.
X
Urpeth Mill
Function: Corn
A corn mill which dates from before 1365 and was
still in use in 1890 when James Hutchinson was the
Miller.
Listed in Kelly’s Directory of Durham.
The site is on private land and very little remains on
the ground other than the route of the mill race.
X
Beamish Corn Mill
Function: Corn
Shown on the 1st OS map 1857, a Beamish Mill is
listed as security in a loan dated 1683.
Once located to the north of the Beamish Museum
on the opposite side of the burn.
No physical remains exist
X
Chester Mills
Function: Corn
There were two mills located close to each other.
The first mill was mentioned in the Boldon book and
until the mid 16th century was leased with a fishery on
the Wear. By 1591 it had been replaced.
The second mill, on the Chester Burn replaced the
earlier mill on the Wear. The mill was on this site from
at least 1591 and ceased operation between 1845 and
1879.
X
Harperley Mill
Function: Corn
Earliest date unknown, but listed in Kelly’s Directory
(1890 ed.) as being powered by water and steam.
X
Slaley Mill
Function: Corn
Mentioned in Assize Rolls of 1256 – see p.349 Vol 6 of
Hodgson – A History of Northumberland.
The location of the mill has not been determined. It
may actually be Healey Mill or Dukesfield Corn Mill.
A mill called Marchborne is mentioned on p355 of
Hodgson as in the hands of John Hord in 1570 .
X
Corbridge Mill
Function: Corn
The current building (a private house) dates from
circa 1800. The mill is shown on the 1860 OS map.
A mill is recorded in existence in 1345.
X
Blackhall Mill
Function: Corn
Dating from 1621 to around 1840, the building is now
a private house.
Visible from the adjacent public footpath.
X
Hedley Mill
Function: Corn
In 1552 Roland Hedley held a corn mill called New
Mill and two acres of arable land for 13s 4d.
Mill disused by 1913.
X
Hackford Mill
Function: Corn
No evidence exists of this 19th century corn mill
except marks in the ground where the the mill race
was.
X
Farnacres Mill
Function: Corn
Part of Farnacres Chantry mentioned in court records
in the 16th and and early 17th century.
The exact location of the Mill is not known.
X
Ryton Bishop’s Milll
Function: Corn
1183 Boldon Buke has Ryton Mill held on behalf of Bishop
Puiset by men of Ryton.
They still held a watermill in 14C with rent of 106s 8d.
By 1647 a water corn mill in Ryton is leased from the
Bishop.
Holburn Dene is the likely site.
X
Whickham Windmill
Described as new in 1720, the windmill is not
mentioned after 1828 and according to Bourn in
1893 it had long since been dismantled.
It stands in what is now Chase Park, bought by
Whickham UDC in 1937 for public use. A stone
tower mill of 3 storeys stands on a low mound of
colliery shale 15 metres across. It survives to a
height of 10.25 metres.
This is not the mill mentioned in the Boldon
Buke
as that mill came with fishing rights,
suggesting it
would be near a river.
X
Old Windmill, Windmill Hills, Gateshead
Function: Corn
Dated: pre-1600 -1856.
Designated ‘Old’ on 1856 OS map which suggests it
was then extant but disused.
Windmill Hills was the main centre of wind
powered milling in Durham.
Richardson’s C19th engraving shows 7 mills on the
hill.
X
Gibbon’s Mill, Gateshead
Function: Corn
19th Century mill near present Havelock Close,
Gateshead.
Owned by William Gibbon who owned others in
the town.
The Poll Book for 1833 records Gibbon living in
Windmill Hills and eligible to vote as a property
owner.
The site is built over with modern houses.
X
Windmill at Heworth, Gateshead
The earliest reference to a mill at Heworth, not
specifically described, is 1279.
By 1373 there were two mills here, a watermill and
a windmill. In the bursar’s account of 1373-4
the
watermill is described as waste and therefore
producing no rent, though in the same account the
bursar paid the tenant for its repair.
In 1373 seven people leased both mills for a term of
9 years.
The prior and convent still had two mills at Heworth
in 1464 and in 1539 there was a
watermill at Over
Heworth.
The location of the mills is uncertain.
X
Washington Mill
Function: Corn
A windmill is shown on the 1st edition OS map,
but
not on subsequent maps.
The Mill House Pub and Mill Farm are the only
physical indications of its existence.
X
Windmill on Modigars Lane, near
Mickley Grange
Function: Unknown
Not shown on First Edition OS
Shown on 2nd edition 1895 OS described as a
Windpump.
Shown on the 2nd edition 1898 OS described as
a
Windmill.
In the vicinity of the Hedley Colliery.
X
Windmill at Windmill Hill, Hexham
The hill is shown on early 19th century maps but
no windmill is shown.
A windmill is shown in a drawing by Samuel
Hieronymus Grimm dated 1778.
The picture is described as showing a bark mill
for
the tanning industry.
This is one of two windmills at Hexham
associated
with the leather industry. The other was at Tyne
Green.
X
Windmill at Tyne Green , Hexham
Function: Bark Mill
Windmill on Tyne Green used for crushing oak
bark for use in the tanning industry, shown on
Armstrong’s Map (1769) and Wood’s Map(1826).
This is one of two windmills at Hexham
associated
with the leather industry. The other was at
Windmill Hill.
X
Dipton Windmill (Site of)
Function: Corn
Built in the 1780’s to provide extra capacity for
Dipton Mill.
Shown as disused on 1860 OS map.
X
Toft Hill
Shown on the OS 6 inch 1888-1913 map as a wind
pump.
X
Aydon Mill
Shown on the OS 6 inch 1888-1913 map as a
windmill.
X
Newlands Mill (Healey)
This does not appear to feature on 1st and 2nd
edition OS maps.
It appears on Northumberland County
Council’s
‘Key to the Past’ website (reference N9831) and
described as a smelt mill, but no
other details are
provided.
X
Acton Mills
Function: Lead Smelting
High Acton Mill was built by the Blackett family in
the 17th century, it ceased working in 1808 when
the London Lead Company gave up
its leases in
the Derwent Valley.
Acton Low (new) smelt Mill was built in 1742. It
also closed in 1808.
An old lead smelting mill is marked on the OS
Map of 1888 south of Acton Low Mill, but no
information can be found and there are doubts
whether there was such a mill.
X
Shildon Mills
Function: Mills to drain Lead Mines
Lead mines have existed since 1475.
In 1713 a water gin was being used to drain the
workings. In 1769 the mine had three
subterranian water wheels arranged vertically
to
raise the water.
A Cornish style steam pumping engine powered by
coal was constructed in 1808 to drain the
mines.
Although the pump worked efficiently,
the cost of
transporting the coal to the site rendered the
mine unprofitable and water pumps were
reinstalled in 1817. The mines closed in 1877.
The pump house was converted to a residence
and was known as Shildon Castle. It is no longer
used but is preserved as an ancient monument.
X
Beldon Burn Lead Mine Mill
Function: Pumping and crushing lead.
Opened in 1745.
In 1805 steam pump was installed, but the fuel
was too expensive and the engine was
removed
in 1820’s.
X
Jeffrey’s Smelt Mill
(aka Derwent Smelt Mill)
Function: Lead smelting.
Most remains are from the period of
management by the Derwent Lead Company.
The area is littered with remains of flues etc.
X
Feldon Smelt Mill
Function: Lead smelting.
Historic England has designated the remains of this Mill as a
Scheduled Monument. The following is an extract of the
official designation.
The monument includes the ruins, earthworks and
buried
remains of the Feldon Smelt Mill and lies on the
left bank of
the Feldon Burn, 2km south west of Edmondbyers.
Documentary records indicate that following the accession
of Charles I, all silver within 10 miles of Muggleswick was
granted to the Duke of
Buckingham. Feldon Smelt Mill was
built in the late 17th
century, during the reign of Charles II,
to smelt this ore.
In 1725 the lead mines within the Manor
of Muggleswick were acquired by the London Lead
Company which also took over the operation of the
smeltmill, and they
continued to operate the mill into the
19th century. Feldon Smelt Mill is an example of a medium
sized simple ore hearth smeltmill of the 18th to 19th
century. The mill was powered by a waterwheel situated
within
the smeltmill building, fed by a leat which zigzags
down the hillside to the south.
X
Burnhope Lead Mine Dressing Mill)
Function: Dressing (i.e. separating lead ore from
surrounding rock)
Plan of mine from 1887 shows dressing mill
and
associated water wheel.
X
Silvertongue Lead Mine Mill
Function: Pumping and draining mine
Silvertop granted lease 1830 to Teasdale etc
at
£20p.a.
Mine producing 30 oz of silver pa by 1848.
Remains of reservoir, mine buildings, kilns,
smelt mill and wheel pit exist.
The first wheel was insufficient. A 2nd 30ft
(30hp) was installed underground.
X
Healeyfield Lead Mine Mill
Function: Dressing (i.e. separating lead ore
from surrounding rock)
A very old mine, possibly mediaeval. It seems
levels were used to drain the mine.
Images show the existence of two large
waterwheels used to drive crushing and jigging
machines.
The 1861 OS map shows the presence of a saw
mill.
X
Healeyfield Smelt Mill
(aka Castleside Smelt Mill)
Function: Lead Smelting
Built in 1805 to smelt ore from Healyfield Lead
Mine. A coursed squared sandstone wall, about
1½ metres high and 6 metres long, dams the
stream in Dene Howl.
X
Dukesfield Smelt Mill
Function: Lead Smelting
Earliest date 1666. Closed in 1834.
Remains of flue arches still on site (see
Dukesfield
Smelters and Carriers Project https://
www.dukesfield.org.uk/ for more
details)
X
Redlead Mill
Function: lead smelting and processing to
create
lead oxide (red lead) used in
glassmaking during
the 17th and 18th century.
(see Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project
https://www.dukesfield.org.uk/ for more
details)
X
Ryton (Cupola) Mill
Function: Lead Refining.
Owned by the London Lead Company.
Disused in 1835. Blaydon railway station built on
site.
X
Black Hall Smelt Mill
Function: Lead Smelting
Possibly the oldest lead smelting mill in the area
(see Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers
Project
https://www.dukesfield.org.uk/ for more details).
X
Fallowfield Lead Mine and Smelt Mill
Function: Lead processing at the mine and a
smelt mill.
Lead Smelting mill built in about 1683. It was
included in a lease of collieries and lead mines
in
1839.
X
Ebchester Wood Mill
Function: Wood mill
One of three mills on the same leat at
Ebchester.
The wheel powered lathes and saws used to
construct wooden items, including poss
sticks,
which were used in Dolly tubs to wash
clothes.
It ceased operating in the 1920’s.
X
Site of Saw Mill, Hexham
An 1826 map of Hexham shows a water
driven saw mill at this location
X
Site of Tyne Saw Mills, Hexham
These mills are shown on the First
Edition
OS Maps (1888-1913).
They were located in Hallorchard Road.
X
Grottington Saw Mill
Shown on OS 6 inch Map 1888-1913.
X
Beaufront Castle Saw Mill
A water powered saw mill recorded in
1865
X
Kiln Pit Hill Saw Mill
Shown on 1864 OS Map, located in Union
Wood.
The mill features on recent OS Explorer map 307
located adjacent to a small man made reservoir
fed by the Backworth Letch.
X
Whittonstall Saw Mill
Shown on 1897 OS Second Edition Map,
located
adjacent to Wood House
X
Gibside Saw Mill
Shown on 1862 OS 6inch map in the grounds of
Gibside.
X
Burnopfield House Saw Mill
Shown on 1862 OS 6inch map.
X
Blaydon Burn Saw Mill
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows a
Saw Mill at this location, along with a forge and
an adjacent corn mill adjacent (HER ref.
1639).
Unused by 1898. No trace of structures.
X
West Pelton Saw Mills
Shown on First Edition OS maps to the north of St
Paul’s church adjacent to the Beamish
Waggonway. It is shown as disused on the 1939
OS map.
X
Pelaw Grange Saw Mills
Shown on First Edition OS maps
. It is shown as
disused on the 1939 OS map.
X
Ravensworth Saw Mill
A late 18th century saw mill powered by the
waterwheel from the adjacent corn mill.
X
Holme Mill Swalwell
The Holme Mill had many owners and uses.
Ed. Talbot had it till 1617 when Sir Wim Blakiston took
over the iron mill.
In 1643 it was damaged by fire.
James Clavering used it for corn from 1645.
In 1660 it was a coalmill.
In 1702 it was let as an iron mill. The dam also drove
Crowley’s and Raines Iron Works.
Part of the site was let as a paper mill between 1897
and
1909.
It was later used as a saw mill, closing in 1912.
The Chimney stands in the Lidl ‘s car park.
X
Axwell Park Mill
This was principally a corn mill in Axwell Park served by
water from the Derwent.
In 1639 the Winlaton Colliery was the second largest
colliery after Whickham. Coal Mills were built in what is
now Axwell Park to drain the Winlaton colliery pits.
Selby
and Hodgson had diverted water serving the coal
mill to
drive the coal mills and John Clavering, owner of
the
Axwell Park Mill sued Selby and Hodgson. In 1645
James
Clavering made a settlement which agreed that Winlaton
Colliery could make full use of the Derwent until it closed.
X
Swalwell High Mill
A ruinous corn mill leased by Harrison from Clavering
in
1702′.
Shown as High Forge on 1888 OS maps (Iron & Steel) and
Saw Mill on 1919 and 1937-61 OS maps.
X
Huntley Haugh, the former name of
Winlaton Mill
There had been a flour mill at ‘Huntley Haugh’, owned by
the Prince Bishop, since the early years of the 14th
century.
Some years later the mill’s energy was also put to use
in
the fulling of wool.
By 1632 the Hardings of Hollingside had acquired the mill
and the hall, which became an inn. It was then
known as
the Three Golden Greyhounds. These
greyhounds were on
the arms of the Harding family, and were painted on the
inn sign. When Crowley built his works at Winlaton Mill in
1691, his employees were
forbidden to frequent it, or any
other alehouse.
X
Gibside Snipes Dene Mill
There were mills at Gibside used to pump water out of the
Snipes Dene drift mine and in the eighteenth
century to
make paper. It is not known whether this was a single mill
which changed its use or whether
there were two mills.
The paper mill was described as derelict in 1778.
X
Lintzford Mill
A mill existed on the site in the 14th century.
In 1694 the corn mill was leased by the owners of the
Shotley Bridge Sword mill, presumably to make swords.
By 1703 it was being used as a Paper Mill.
It was converted to run on steam after 1840.
It became an ink works in the 1920’s before finally closing
in 1987.
X
Shotley Grove High Mill
Sword making 1703 to 1812.
It was aquired by John Annandale who developed it as a
sucessful paper mill.
In 1860 it was converted to steam.
It closed in 1908.
X
Pockerley Mill
Pockerley Mill was used at various times as a corn,
fulling,
saw and flint mill.
There has been a mill at Pockerley since 1180, which
was
initially a corn mill.
In 17th century leases it is listed as a fulling mill.
By 1827 it described as a flint mill.
On the 1st OS map of 1857 it is shown as a corn mill.
The building exists and is visible south east of Pockerley
Manor within the Beamish museum estate.
X
High, Middle and Low Forges
Beamish Burn (Ouseborough Woods)
High forge: Function Corn (1714 – 1765) Trip Hammer
Forge 1765 – 1870s
The trip hammer forge was famed for the manufacture of
cannon barrels used during the Napoleonic Wars.
The forge closed in the 1870’s.
Middle Forge: Function Fulling and tannery (1717-1792)
forge (1792-1877).
Destroyed in the flood of 1877
Low Forge:Function Fulling (pre 1764) Forge (1764-1877)
This was the oldest of the three forge s. It was built on the
site of a fulling milll.
Destroyed in the flood of 1877
X
Urpeth Forge
Function: Fulling mill then Forge.
Earliest date 1721.
Marked on the 1st Edition OS map.
A lease of unrelated land dated 1865 lists two forgemen
from Urpeth Forge.
The building can be seen from the public road at Urpeth
Bridge. It has been converted into a private
dwelling.
X
Newbiggin Mill
An early 19th century Farm Mill (corn and saw mill).
The Mill has been converted to a private dwelling.
X
Ravensworth (Coal) Mill
This is possibly the site of a corn mill in existence in 1382.
A coal mill consisting of three wheels positioned vertically
was constructed in 1670 to extract water from the
Ravensworth colliery.
Its use as a coal mill ceased in 1750 and it was converted
to a corn mill. It remained in use until after 1862.
X
Dilston Haugh Farm Mill
An early 19th century multifunction farm mill.
It was fed by a leat which crossed the Devil’s water on an
aquaduct and was active from 1815 to later in the 19th
century.
A listed building visible from the road bridge.
X
Dilston New Town Farm Mill
An early 19th century multifunction farm mill.
The building no longer exists, but there are remains of
the
pond, dam and sluice.
X
Thornbrough Buildings Farm Mill
A multifunction farm mill.
The pond, dam and sluice are shown on the First
Edition
OS maps.
X
Brock Bushes Farm Mill
A multifunction farm mill.
The pond, dam and sluice are shown on the First
Edition
OS maps.
X
Low Waskerley Mill
Function: Corn, Sawing Wood, Hay and Rolling Oats.
Built pre 1862 and ceased use around 1946.
A 19ft 6inch diameter wheel was extant but rotten in
1972
while being surveyed by Geoffrey Fisher ARIBA.
Now incorporated into dwelling.
Several grinding stones visible on site.
X
Wheelbirks Blast Furnace
The following is an extract from Historic England’s
listing
reference:
Blast furnace on west bank of Stocksfield Burn 150
metres
south of Wood Cottage. Grade II. Medieval or
C17 blast
furnace. Large roughly squared stone.
Trapezoidal plan;
furnace opening on north, flanked by
splayed wing walls
standing to 2 metres in parts. Rear
wall more ruinous.
Important industrial monument,
excavated by Richardson
in1884. . .
Excavations are known to have been carried out during
the 19th century. Magnetic dating and the furnace
characteristics suggest that this is the earliest blast
furnace north of the Tees.
X
Allensford Blast Furnace
Function: Iron smelting from 1692 to 1713.
Remains include retaining wall of mill pond.
X
Blackhall Mill Steel Furnace
Function Steel Forge, aquired by the ‘Company of the
North’ in 1687 to produce steel.
The flood of 1834 destroyed the dam and it stood in
ruins
before being knocked down in 1916 and replaced
with a
school.
X
Derwentcote Forge
Function: Iron furnace and forge.
First used to power a blast furnance (1661-1713).
Steel forge (1718 -1850) and also to power a rolling mill
after 1850.
X
Gibside West Wood Forge
Function: Forge and Furnace owned by Richard
Hodgson.
First Iron Mill in the Derwent valley.
X
Milne Field Forge
Function: Iron Forge and Furnance.
Built in 1608 by Edward Talbot to expand production from
West Wood Forge.
Ceased production in 1728.
X
Crowley’s Iron Works
Winlaton Mill Ironworks, 1691-1863.
A large integrated ironworks built in 1691 by Ambrose
Crowley II, the leading supplier to the Royal Navy. The site
comprised a finery/chafery forge, plating forge, slitting mill,
cementaton steel furnace, blade-grinding mills, anvil shop,
hardening shop, nailmakers’ and
filemakers’ workshops
together with warehouses,
offices and housing. The main
water-powered mills and forges were located at the north
east end of the
complex, with the nailmakers’ workshops,
warehouses
and offices around two squares to the west,
and the
housing along the base of the hillside to the west
and south of the squares.
The south west part of the site was occupied by
successive
leats to the millponds, fed by a large multi-
phase dam and
weir on the River Derwent. The river
weir allowed water to
be drawn off the river towards
the dam complex, where it
could be routed according to needs.
The works comprise an important early example of the
factory system of production. Crowley introduced a set of
laws to cover the workers’ daily lives and to ensure the
smooth running of production. The social welfare elements
of this system were in place at Winlaton some two
centuries before such things were available
nationally.
X
Dunston Forge
Function: Iron Forge and Furnance.
Listed in sale to Theodosia Crowley in 1735 as a corn
mill.
Later functioned as power source to Dunston
Forge until
1854.
Site viewable but no visible remains exist.
X
Whitehill Furnace
Function: (iron) Blast Furnace then Foundry.
Owned by John Cookson.
Built in 1721. By 1745 it was the first blast furnace to use
coke. It later converted to a foundry and made cannons
and cannon balls during the Napoleonic war. It was
a
bandoned by the 1840’s due to poor power
supply from
the burn.
X
Teams Bridge High Mill
Function: Corn
Leased as a Corn Mill to Theodosia Crowley in 1735
and converted to power the nearby forge.
Site now completely covered by modern industrial
units in the Team ValleyTrading Estate
X
Whitehill Paper Mill
Function: Paper
In use between the middle and end of the 19th century, it
manufactured coarse brown paper. A 900 metre leet
fed
two small dams. Traces of the leet and foundations of the
mill are all that remain.
X
Urpeth Paper Mill
Function: Paper
The mill was in use by 1792 and was probably destroyed
by the flood in 1877.
X
Gibside Paper Mill
Function: Paper
This may be the same mill as Snipes Dene.
18th Century paper mill pre 1735 to 1778, when it was
described as derelict.
X
Ewehurst Mill
Function: Paper
Shown on Greenwood’s Map of 1818.
Shown as Lintz Old Paper Miil on 1862 OS six inch map
X
Shotley Grove Low Mill
Function: Paper
Built by John Annandale in 1828 to increase production
from the High mill. It operated until 1908.
At its peak the mill employed 300 people.
X
Dilston Paper Mill
Function: Paper
Converted to steam by 1860 and ruinous by 1898.
Traces of the leat and outfall remain.
X
Blackhall Mill (Paper) Mill
Function: Paper
Tail waters from Blackhall mill (iron & steel) used to
power
paper mill.
Produced course grey paper from old rags.
Advertised for let in 1732 and rented in 1768.
Shown as old paper mill on 1856 map.
X
Cowen’s Mill a.k.a. Low Mill
Dates from around 1798 and used for grinding Corn,
Flint
and Clay for the nearby brick industry.
Flint arrived as ballast in ships on the Tyne and was
ground as an ingredient in the pottery industry. The
Mill
was disused by 1896.
Nothing remains of the mill itself but a weir associated
with Low Mill constructed of roughly squared, evenly
coursed sandstone exists and significant retaining walls
along the banks of the Burn run downstream all the way
to where the mill was. The site is visible on public land.
X
Pug Mill near Dukesfield Mill
The 1st Edition OS map shows a Tile Works with two
pug
mills away from the river south of Dukesfield Mill.
Pug mills are used to render clay into a plastic state.
It is not clear how the mills were powered and there are
no remains to clarify this.
The Tile works do not appear on later editions of the
OS.
X
Bobgins Coal Mill
The remains of the Engine House is a Scheduled Monument
(Historic England Ref 1018225).
Coalmills are water-powered pumping installations, generally
consisting of a series of waterwheels set in a vertical sequence
which were employed to drain single mines or areas of mine
workings. They were developed towards the end of the 16th
century in response to the increased need for mechanical mine
drainage arising from the development of large-scale coal
mining.
The Bobgins engine house site is the only known survival of a
water-
powered beam pumping engine in the North East
Coalfield, and is
believed to have been undisturbed since
abandonment in the 18th
century.
The engine would have consisted of a rocker beam, raised and
lowered by the axle of a waterwheel at one end, and operating
pumps in a mineshaft at the other end. The bob (beam) gins
(engine) engine house is situated at the southern boundary of
the
Beckley and Andrew’s House collieries. It is believed to date
to 1726
since in that year it is recorded that the Beckley colliery
was drained
from a shaft in the Andrew’s House ground by
means of a beam
pump powered from an adjacent burn (later
becoming the Bobgins
Burn).
X
Beamish Colliery Coal Mill
Constructed in 1763.
A water wheel powered a pump to remove
water
from Beamish Colliery.
In 1860 it was replaced by a steam engine.
X
Urpeth Oil Mill
A mill to extract linseed oil.
In 1848 it was described as employing 40 people.
X
Rickleton Bone Mill
A sizeable building marked ‘Bone Mill’ is recorded on the
1st Edition OS Map surveyed in 1857 and published
in
1862. There is still a Bone Mill Lane in Washington.
While there is no recorded information about this mill, it is
known that Bone Mills in other parts of the country
ground bones from slaughterhouses and the whaling
industry into agricultural ferliliser.
X
Hydraulic Pump Aydon Castle
This appears on the OS 6 inch map (1888-1913). It
pumped water, probably to the Castle, but was not
powered by water. The pump house contains the
remains
of a Blake reciprocating pump, but there is no indication
of the power source.
X
Millshield Woollen Mill
Function: Fulling
Mid 14thC – 1747, woollen mill with millrace and sluice.
Uncertain dating but assessed as Post mediaeval.
Mill lies submerged under Derwent Reservoir
X
Devil’s Water Fulling Mill
Function: Fulling
Current building is from 17th Century. The mill appears on
1840 tithe map and 1861 OS Map.
The building has been converted to a private residence.
X
Mutton House Fulling Mill
Function: Fulling
There are references in the Durham University Shafto
(Beamish) Papers to a Fulling Mill at Pockerley Manor
in
property transactions dated 1638, 1658, 1666 and 1676.
X
Ebchester Low Mill
Function: Fulling
One of three mills on the same leat at Ebchester. Built in
1754, it stopped working sometime between 1874
and
1898.
X
Dye House Mill
Function: Fulling
The hamlet of Dye House was an industrial village where
cloth was thickened in a fulling mill and dyed during the
17th and 18th Centuries.
X
Lamb Shield Fulling Mill
Function: Fulling
Only the mill race remains.
Listed in 1801 census and shown on 1860 OS Map.
X
Dipton Fulling Mill
Function: Fulling
Recorded as existing in 1670s.
Shown as in ruins on 1861 OS Map.
X
Whitehill Flint Mill
Function: Crushing flint
One of three flint mills supplying Wearside Pottery
(Poctrerley (sic) Flint Mill, Whitehill and Fencehouses).
Wearside Pottery was formed in 1789. Location unknown.
X
Miller’s Bridge Swalwell
Function: Unknown
The area at the junction of Swalwell Bank and Clavering
Road, Swalwell is shown on First Edition and First Revision
OS Maps as Miller’s Bridge, which suggests that there may
have been a Mill at this location.
X
Burn Mill
Function: Unknown
The mill is shown on the OS 6 inch 1864 map, but no other
details are known.
X
Mills – the First Engines of Industry
Before the steam engine was invented in the 18th century
the power of wind and water was harnessed to mechanise
the production of food and goods. Mills were used, among
other things, to grind corn for flour and animal feed, to
make paper, to treat fabric, to saw wood, to drive bellows
in iron foundries, to crush and smelt ores and to pump
water out of mines.
Use this map to select the type(s) of mill of interest and
click on mill symbols to learn about some of the things
that were made in the area – iron goods at Winlaton Mill,
leather goods in Hexham, swords in Shotley Bridge,
cannons in the Beamish Burn, poss sticks at Ebchester to
name but a few.
You can close this box by selecting the cross in the red box
in the top right corner.
/* The following script has been adapted from a tutorial by Peter Collingridge – see https://www.petercollingridge.co.uk/tutorials In addition to the script is the code to create a controller for panning and zooming and style sheets called by the controller module. In order to zoom and pan the map independently the layers to be panned and zoomed should be grouped and named ‘matrix-group’- this is best done by Inkscape. Using a text editor search for ‘matrix-group’ to locate it. Edit the entry to include the following after id=matrix-group: transform=”matrix(1 0 0 1 0 0)” Go to the start of the code and change the id in the svg tag to id=”map-svg” function pointer is used in the controller code – it changes the cursor to a pointer on a mouseover*/