Information for record number MWA1473:
Rock Mills, Leamington Spa

Summary Rock Mills, the remains of a watermill, for which there is documentary evidence from the Medieval period. The present building is late 18th century when a cotton mill operated. A chimney and some machinery survive. It is 100m west of Highcroft Crescent, Leamington Spa.
What Is It?  
Type: Watermill, Mill, Cotton Mill, Corn Mill, Steam Plant
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leamington Spa
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 30 66
(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: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 There was a mill in 1086. It is also recorded in 1560. The present building dates from 1792 when a cotton spinning mill was built on the site. For a while nearly 100 people were employed there, but early in the 19th century part of the mill was being used for corn grinding. Information on ownership exists for the 19th and 20th centuries. The mill closed in 1961. The mill is a five storey brick building in the style of many late 18th century cotton mills. It was extended in the 19th century with an additional wing on the E end. On the W side stands the steam engine chimney, the engine itself having been removed by 1890, and an extensive range of outbuildings. The mill contains two complete sets of corn grinding machinery driven by two internal waterwheels. Both were maintained in working order until the closure of the mill.
5 Correspondence.
6 A watermill is marked here on Greenwood's map of 1822
 
Sources

Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
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: 5
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Rock Mills, Leamington Spa
Author/originator: Cave L F
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Map
Title: Greenwood's Map of the County of Warwick 1822
Author/originator: Greenwood C & J
Date: 1822
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: MDT
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1491
   
Images:  
Rock Mills, Milverton, Leamington Spa
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
Rock Mill, Leamington Spa
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
Some of the machinery at Rock Mills in Leamington Spa
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2000
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
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 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 Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. 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 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 INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument OUTBUILDING * A detached subordinate building. Use specific type where known, eg. DAIRY. back
monument ENGINE * A machine, powered by steam, gas, electricity or other energy source, which produces energy of movement. Use for stationary industrial engines rather than transport use. back
monument COTTON MILL * Usually a cotton spinning factory, although some mills have weaving sheds attached, in which case the end product is completed cloth, not yarn only. back
monument CRESCENT * A row of houses whose facade in plan follows the concave arc of a circle or ellipse, eg. The Royal Crescent, Bath. back
monument CORN MILL * A mill for grinding corn. Use with power type where known. back
monument SPINNING MILL * A mill or factory in which raw cotton, wool, nylon or other material is spun into yarn or thread. back
monument STEAM PLANT * An industrial site or building where the machinery is powered by a steam engine. back
monument WATERMILL * A mill whose machinery is driven by water. back
monument CHIMNEY * Chimney used on an industrial or commercial site. back
monument SPA * A medicinal or mineral spring often with an associated building. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record