Information for record number MWA1136:
Wellesbourne Mill

Summary Wellesbourne Mill for which there is documentary evidence from the Medieval period. It operated until 1958. The building dates from 1834. It has an internal breast shot wheel and workable machinery. It stands 1km south east of the church.
What Is It?  
Type: Watermill, Breastshot Wheel
Period: Medieval - Modern (1066 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Wellesbourne
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 54
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 In 1086 there were three mills in the manor and one or more may have stood on this site. Two mills are mentioned in the 16th to 17th century, one of these may have been the windmill. Information on ownership exists for the 19th century. The mill continued to operate until c1958 though not by water power. The three storey brick building was erected in 1834. There is an internal breast-shot wheel and some of the other mill machinery survives. The whole of the building is used to house a fine collection of early agricultural implements. The adjoining mill house is older than the mill by many years, and some of the nearby farm buildings seem to date from the 16th or 17th century.
3 All the machinery needed to restore the mill to working order is intact. The building itself is in fairly good condition. A millpond is situated here.
4 Noted.
5 In 1198 the mill was owned by the Earl of Warwick who leased it to Gervase de Penna. At this time the mill was known as Bayford mill and was so known until the mid-19th century when its present name was adopted. Worked by water power until 1939, continued use with a steam engine, but restored in 1988
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Watermills
Author/originator: Booth D T N
Date: 1978
Page Number: 83-4
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Industrial Monuments Survey
Author/originator: Falconer K A
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Panel for Historical Engineering Works
Author/originator: Institution of Civil Engineers
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: SMW
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 790
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument WINDMILL * A tower-like structure of wood or brick with a wooden cap and sails which are driven around by the wind producing power to work the internal machinery. Use with product type where known. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument POND * A body of still water often artificially formed for a specific purpose. Use specifc type where known. back
monument STEAM ENGINE * An engine in which the mechanical force of steam is made available as a motive power for driving machinery. back
monument MACHINERY * Apparatus used for applying a mechanical force, or to perform a particular function. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MILL HOUSE * The residence of a miller, often attached to a mill. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument ENGINEERING WORKS * Any factory or site using machine tools in a manufacturing or processing capacity. back
monument FARM BUILDING * A building or structure of unknown function found on a farm. Use more specific type where known. back
monument WATERMILL * A mill whose machinery is driven by water. back
monument BREASTSHOT WHEEL * A waterwheel in which the incoming water is directed onto the periphery below the top of the wheel. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record